Is He FOR REAL? Philippians 4.9-13
1/9/2012 1:10:35 AM
Jan 8, 2011~Phillippians #39 in series
IS HE FOR REAL? Philippians 4.9-13
Pressing on . . . Paul writes,
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” So, in total, Paul is saying—Do the things I have told you to do, including ‘Rejoice in the Lord … always! Do not be anxious about anything; but pray about everything that concerns you. Fix your thoughts on those things which are pleasing to God—those things which are true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable...’ And the God of peace will be with you. See, our part is to pray, with thanksgiving, and choose to think right thoughts; God’s part is to supply our peace. That is very straightforward. Paul continues, ‘I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need . . .
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
The dictionary defines contentment as ‘satisfaction’. But the Greek word used to describe contentment in the Bible doesn’t just mean to be satisfied, or to have sufficient, but to have an ATTITUDE that lets us be satisfied with whatever is available. I remember being deeply impressed with Paul’s disposition, and his ability to be content, even when he was shackled, in pain, and in prison: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Paul passionately pursued God, and lived on purpose; his priorities kept him focused. Even when he was physically and mentally tortured, he knew, ‘My God will supply all my needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus.’* Paul knew the source of all good things, and trusted him. Indeed, he firmly believed and lived, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 4.13
Contentment is for the ‘now’ — You see, it is not uncommon for us to think, ‘I’ll be happy when….’ ‘Everything will be better when….’ ‘If only….’ ‘If I could get this….’ ‘or be….’ THEN I’d be happy. Not so. Contentment is not found in possessions, accomplishments, or station in life. Those are ‘icing on the cake’, but certainly not the pathway to inner joy. Experiencing contentment usually involves the elevation of our thinking, evaluating our life purpose, (a passionate pursuit of God), and establishing accompanying priorities. Contentment may be yours~ do you want it?
Grace and Peace,
Christine
IS HE FOR REAL? Philippians 4.9-13
Pressing on . . . Paul writes,
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” So, in total, Paul is saying—Do the things I have told you to do, including ‘Rejoice in the Lord … always! Do not be anxious about anything; but pray about everything that concerns you. Fix your thoughts on those things which are pleasing to God—those things which are true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable...’ And the God of peace will be with you. See, our part is to pray, with thanksgiving, and choose to think right thoughts; God’s part is to supply our peace. That is very straightforward. Paul continues, ‘I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need . . .
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
The dictionary defines contentment as ‘satisfaction’. But the Greek word used to describe contentment in the Bible doesn’t just mean to be satisfied, or to have sufficient, but to have an ATTITUDE that lets us be satisfied with whatever is available. I remember being deeply impressed with Paul’s disposition, and his ability to be content, even when he was shackled, in pain, and in prison: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Paul passionately pursued God, and lived on purpose; his priorities kept him focused. Even when he was physically and mentally tortured, he knew, ‘My God will supply all my needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus.’* Paul knew the source of all good things, and trusted him. Indeed, he firmly believed and lived, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 4.13
Contentment is for the ‘now’ — You see, it is not uncommon for us to think, ‘I’ll be happy when….’ ‘Everything will be better when….’ ‘If only….’ ‘If I could get this….’ ‘or be….’ THEN I’d be happy. Not so. Contentment is not found in possessions, accomplishments, or station in life. Those are ‘icing on the cake’, but certainly not the pathway to inner joy. Experiencing contentment usually involves the elevation of our thinking, evaluating our life purpose, (a passionate pursuit of God), and establishing accompanying priorities. Contentment may be yours~ do you want it?
Grace and Peace,
Christine
IS HE FOR REAL? Philippians 4.9-13
Pressing on . . . Paul writes,
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” So, in total, Paul is saying—Do the things I have told you to do, including ‘Rejoice in the Lord … always! Do not be anxious about anything; but pray about everything that concerns you. Fix your thoughts on those things which are pleasing to God—those things which are true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable...’ And the God of peace will be with you. See, our part is to pray, with thanksgiving, and choose to think right thoughts; God’s part is to supply our peace. That is very straightforward. Paul continues, ‘I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need . . .
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
The dictionary defines contentment as ‘satisfaction’. But the Greek word used to describe contentment in the Bible doesn’t just mean to be satisfied, or to have sufficient, but to have an ATTITUDE that lets us be satisfied with whatever is available. I remember being deeply impressed with Paul’s disposition, and his ability to be content, even when he was shackled, in pain, and in prison: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Paul passionately pursued God, and lived on purpose; his priorities kept him focused. Even when he was physically and mentally tortured, he knew, ‘My God will supply all my needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus.’* Paul knew the source of all good things, and trusted him. Indeed, he firmly believed and lived, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 4.13
Contentment is for the ‘now’ — You see, it is not uncommon for us to think, ‘I’ll be happy when….’ ‘Everything will be better when….’ ‘If only….’ ‘If I could get this….’ ‘or be….’ THEN I’d be happy. Not so. Contentment is not found in possessions, accomplishments, or station in life. Those are ‘icing on the cake’, but certainly not the pathway to inner joy. Experiencing contentment usually involves the elevation of our thinking, evaluating our life purpose, (a passionate pursuit of God), and establishing accompanying priorities. Contentment may be yours~ do you want it?
Grace and Peace,
Christine
IS HE FOR REAL? Philippians 4.9-13
Pressing on . . . Paul writes,
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” So, in total, Paul is saying—Do the things I have told you to do, including ‘Rejoice in the Lord … always! Do not be anxious about anything; but pray about everything that concerns you. Fix your thoughts on those things which are pleasing to God—those things which are true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable...’ And the God of peace will be with you. See, our part is to pray, with thanksgiving, and choose to think right thoughts; God’s part is to supply our peace. That is very straightforward. Paul continues, ‘I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need . . .
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
The dictionary defines contentment as ‘satisfaction’. But the Greek word used to describe contentment in the Bible doesn’t just mean to be satisfied, or to have sufficient, but to have an ATTITUDE that lets us be satisfied with whatever is available. I remember being deeply impressed with Paul’s disposition, and his ability to be content, even when he was shackled, in pain, and in prison: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Paul passionately pursued God, and lived on purpose; his priorities kept him focused. Even when he was physically and mentally tortured, he knew, ‘My God will supply all my needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus.’* Paul knew the source of all good things, and trusted him. Indeed, he firmly believed and lived, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 4.13
Contentment is for the ‘now’ — You see, it is not uncommon for us to think, ‘I’ll be happy when….’ ‘Everything will be better when….’ ‘If only….’ ‘If I could get this….’ ‘or be….’ THEN I’d be happy. Not so. Contentment is not found in possessions, accomplishments, or station in life. Those are ‘icing on the cake’, but certainly not the pathway to inner joy. Experiencing contentment usually involves the elevation of our thinking, evaluating our life purpose, (a passionate pursuit of God), and establishing accompanying priorities. Contentment may be yours~ do you want it?
Grace and Peace,
Christine
*Philippians 4.19