The Secret to Being Content

 ^{Philippians 4:8-14}

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were 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.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Paul begins this part of Philippians 4 by telling us what we should think about. He clearly points out many adjectives and ends with excellent and praiseworthy. He is directing and encouraging us to think about our Savior. That's what it comes down to. If we are not thinking and worrying about everything else, but we have our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will put everything into place for us.

Paul continues to tell us that He was content with his circumstances...do you recall where he is throughout the book of Philippians? Yep, in jail. Yet, he is content with his circumstances. He continues on to tell us the secret to always being content...ready?

"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."Philippians 4:13

That was his secret to always being content! Let's make that the reason we can always be content. God will take of everything you need, you just need to trust Him!

Lord, Thank you for this day, and I pray that we all trust in You more today than yesterday. Help us to be reminded throughout the day how Paul was content and he wait in prison. Speak to us today and let us pray continually. Thank you for all you do! ~Amen

 

 

on fighting and worrying

It's clear by our pageviews that this march through Philippians isn't being read.  But, that's okay.  I've been convicted, challenged, and encouraged as I've studied up to write my post each week and the Lord is doing such a work in my heart.  For those few of you who are reading, thank you for your faithfulness.  I pray that He is moving in your lives just like He's moving through mine.  


Today's chunk of scripture came at just the right time for me.  Let's read Philippians 4:1-7

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner,to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. 

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

I love this passage.  A good majority of the Bible has stories about men.  While there are great things to learn from the amazing stories of men in the bible, sometime us women just need to a good woman story.  And this one hits right to the heart.


At the beginning of this passage Paul is talking about a feud going on between two church members.  Two women, to be exact.  Don't think I'm pointing fingers because I know all too well what it's like to have issues with other women (believing women at that), but sometimes we need a good reminder to settle our issues.  Paul doesn't tell these women to work through their problems just because he's tired of their whining, but he wants them to work through their issues because they belong to the Lord.  Their disagreement doesn't just affect them, it's affects the whole church.  In the MacArthur Study Bible, John MacArthur said this in his commentary of these verses, "Apparently the disunity in the Philippian church was about to destroy the integrity of its testimony."  Looking in on my own life, I know that there have been issues with Christian women that I've let go without settling.  These situations might not have destroyed the integrity of my testimony, but they certainly didn't build my testimony up. 


Let's work out our issues, sister.  We've got a mission for Christ to accomplish and we need each other to do it.  Let's not tear each other down.


The second part of this passage really encouraged me where I am in my life right now.  I'm in the middle of a transition from my college town back home until I get married in March, and it has certainly been a struggle.  My heart is hurting to leave the town and friends I've made the past three years and anxiety creeps up on me when I think about all the unknown things to come.  


But, the Lord has called me to have joy!  While it may take some time for me to have happiness over the situation, I can most certainly have joy.  Joy isn't based on my circumstance, it is based on Jesus.  Next Paul says something that hits right at my heart.  Don't worry, just pray.  This gal has done a whole lot of worrying, if you wanted to know the truth.  When I'm tempted to worry about how I'm going to make it without my best gals in my town, I'll pray.  When I'm tempted to fret about how I'm going to like going to a new college campus, I'll pray.  When I'm tempted to fear that my bank account will finally run dry, I'll pray.  What can worrying bring?  Fear, anxiety, nervousness, unhappiness.  What can prayer bring?  Peace.  His peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.

Lord, this passage is so full.  I know you had me read and reflect on this just for my benefit, but I pray that someone else gets the benefit too.  I'm so thankful that your Word is alive.  It will never get boring and I can never stop learning.  Thank you for being faithful.  I pray that we would be convicted in situations where we need to make amends with someone.  It hurts my heart to know that I could hurt the integrity of my testimony by fighting with one of my own sisters.  Bring restoration, Lord.  Move in our hearts.  Jesus, I also pray that we would chose prayer over worrying.  The peace that comes from being in your presence and trusting in you will exceed anything we can understand.  Encourage us and challenge us with your word, Lord.  Amen.

Philippians 3:17-21

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites. But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

{Philippians 3:17-21}

In these verses Paul is wanting the Philippians to use his way of living as an example of how to live. He wants them to focus on people who are after the same thing they are: living for Christ. When I first read these verses it made me think about my 7th grade girls that I lead at church. We are always talking about the difference between making wise choices and making foolish choices. We also talk about how to choose between wise and foolish friends. Even though my girls at 12 and 13 years old we could all use a little lesson between wise and foolish.

There are so many things in this world that are vying for our attention. There is pressure everywhere to conform to the things of this world. We see friend after friend straying away from church and falling further and further into a pit of bad choices.

Living in a college town that is more known for their parties and downtown scene than anything else it can get hard to keep fighting the good fight. There have been plenty of times when I just want to throw in the towel and conform and just be like everyone else. But then verses like this come into my head and I remember that I am citizen of high heaven and there is WAY more life for me than for people who are caught up in the world.

Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with going out {I go downtown often!} but what I am saying is that you have to remember that yes, it may seem easier to just go with what the world is doing BUT it is way more rewarding to go with what Christ wants you to do. Surround yourself with people who want the same things out of life. Get involved in a community of authentic believers who will hold you accountable in areas that may cause temptation. Be aware of where you are weak and allow people to come into your life to help you. 

"He will make you beautiful and whole."

xO

Pressing Toward the Goal

 Philippians 3:12-16

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

I love this for so many reasons! Paul is speaking about pressing on towards a goal and not giving up. This is so applicable to our lives as believers because we are all called to strive and achieve goals. We can not give up, even though things might happen that discourage us. No dear friends, we have to press on and strive for perfection. Although, we will never reach perfection on Earth, we can strive for it everyday so that we are fulfilling those goals.

Something that distracts many people is the past. The past can hold so many negative memories, experiences, and also relationships. We sometimes struggle to let go of our past, and that enables us to put our entire focus on the future and what's ahead. But, Paul tells us here that we are to FORGET our past and look forward to what lies ahead. That is what our focus should be. We have to allow God to take those bad memories and replace them with focusing on the future. We can no longer let our past bog us down. 

So, what happens when we turn from the past and focus ONLY on what's ahead?

We will reach the end of the race and receive a heavenly prize from Christ! If you're a runner (I'm not) then you know and can relate to that feeling of finishing a race. After running for so long and pressing on no matter what struggle comes about, you finish! Just think if you were to win 1st prize...wouldn't that be even better? Well, when we reach the end of our race as believers and achieve what Christ has called us to achieve, we will all win the race. The prize will also be far greater than any of us can imagine. We will win eternal life with Christ!

I hope that today you can ask God to help you move on from your past. Ask Him to take those memories away and replace them with a focus that only He could place in your heart. Begin running steadily towards the goal that He is calling you to.

Lord, Please renew our hearts today and place a fresh yearning for You. Please keep us focused on reaching the goals You have for us. Allow us to overcome distractions and hindrances that may be in our path. We know that with You carrying us, we can overcome anything. Nothing is impossible with You. Keep our minds and hearts on You today! 

~Amen