Have you had someone help you out when you knew they really were not able to? This could have been financially, physically, emotionally or spiritually. Then also, have you ever been able to help someone else out when you were not really able to do it? Either way it takes looking inside and having the confidence that God is with you to be able to do either, to be able to accept help from someone that you know is not able to give it or to be able to give help that you are not necessarily able to give.
I have had people help me out in different ways when I knew they probably weren’t able to do it. The thing was they were doing it from their heart, as a ministry for Christ and there was no way I could refuse accepting their help. I think when we look in Philippians 4:10-13, we see this is how Paul was reacting to the church in Philippi and their support of him. His heart was full.
In the previous nine verses of Philippians 4, Paul wanted believers to love, encourage and support each other in thankfulness and joy.
In Philippians 4:10-13 Paul was rejoicing and thankful. He told the believers in Philippi that he greatly rejoiced in the Lord because they were again caring for him. He told them he knew they cared for him all along, but they were not able to support him in the same way that they were able to at this time.
He did not want them to think that he only thought of them in the way they could help him. He told them that he had learned to be satisfied with what ever situation he found himself in, because he knew how to be humble by living humbly and he also knew how to thrive. Paul spoke about how he was instructed that he should be able to live well when he was thriving and also when he was in need.
Paul confessed to them that he believed he could do anything through the strength that Christ gave him.
What is the challenge for us in this passage? Our world makes it hard to be satisfied with just about anything. The challenge for Christ followers could be relying on and trusting in God’s strength through any situation—in plenty or in want and doing it with joy.
How can we apply this to our lives? To be content does not mean that everything is going well or that we are surrounded by earthly peace. Applying this to our lives could mean that we look inside ourselves and seek an inner peace that only God can give.
I am strengthened when I read the passages in God’s Word that give me examples of how to handle earthly situations in Heavenly ways. I am so glad that God has given me His Word and His Spirit to be able to gain understanding from it.
Thank You Lord for giving me the opportunity to trust You and rely on You. Help me to always see the areas where I can support those around me, and help me be able to accept help during the times that I need it.
~~~~~~~~~
“10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:10-13
_____________
I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is a web page that will give you more information about making your decision for Jesus Christ: Start Your NewLife With Christ.
In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net.
————————
Blog Image Mine
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 