Phil. 4:11-12
“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am . I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
Want to know how we can truly live according to what God intended us to live? It is by living a life of PRACTICING what you know you ought to do.
I can’t help but be reminded of my when I was little and I was in gymnastics. I would get discouraged because I was getting stuck on my walkovers. My instructor would say, Practice makes Perfect, but you have to do the right technique. Usually, it would take me getting frustrated when I finally would come back to my instructor and say, okay what is the technique again? If I practiced with him helping me with the technique I was able to do it and wha la…. It was done well!
So, are you tired of doing things the way you “think” it ought to be done? Are you ready to go back to the Author and Finisher of everything and get the proper technique to over come and be content in all things?
Here it is, Ready? “ Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil. 4:9
So Paul wrote this to the early church, but don’t you think he probably heard these very words from JESUS! After all Jesus was his – discipler!
So then what can we expect from our lives if we aren’t willing to practice or learn how to live godly. Paul is specifically addressing contentment and knowing how to live in all circumstances. Where are you in the process of learning how to be content with all things according to what God has portioned you? I’m not where I need to be but I am realizing that it isn’t something you can just pray about and WHAM it is done! It is learned, it is practiced it is a decision to set our mind on the things of the Spirit rather than the flesh.
Paul writes in verse 13: “ I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me.” So where do you get the strength to press on and do what needs to be done? To continue to practice even when you are just worn out and it is so much easier to complain? CHRIST is the one who is responsible for the strength we all need to continue to practice, learn and overcome the flesh…..
Paul is making a point in these 13 verses about his contentment in whatever the Lord provides for him. He is making a point though to the church because he wants them to realize that they are apart of how God provides for him. If they are not walking in obedience to Christ and seeking the Lord to see where they ought to give and minister then it can have a direct affect on Paul. Verse: 15 -17 ; “after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.”
Paul is just reminding us all that we have a part in the work of God. It may be in serving overseas, in a church, in the community where you live, or giving to the church or needs of other believers as the lord lays things on your heart but none the less we ought to be in communication with God and praying for discernment to know when we ought to put into practice what we know to be TRUTH!
So, today my prayer is that as you begin your day you seek the Lord to see what things in your life have you neglected to practice and learn well. I’m talking about spiritual truths; being content in all things is just one of many.
I am also praying that we will all be praying and asking the Lord, how can I be apart of something bigger than myself today! Maybe you can give to someone else’s need or maybe you hear of a church member who is in need and you know that you have abundance and can share with them. My prayer is that we will learn to practice the truths we are being taught….
Lord, I come before you today and I pray for myself first. That I would not just be a hearer of the word but that I would truly be a doer. That I would practice my faith and the truths I know are from you and that you Lord would strengthen our resolve to do what we know we ought to do.
Lord, thank you for how you do supply all our needs. May we learn to be content with what we have and learn to give thanks in every circumstance.
It is in Your Name I pray
The name of Jesus
Amen……………..
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