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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness Gal 5:22 |
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Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Thursday, March 26, 2020
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :God’s Provision Bible Verse :Philippians 4:10-13 "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Message:
Paul had founded the church at Philippi ten years earlier and had made one visit in the interim. So they had seen him twice in ten years; yet when word reached them of his imprisonment in Rome, they sent him money, so that he might be comfortable and, perhaps, be able to write more.
Paul was paying his own expenses for house arrest, so no doubt the money was well-spent. But although he was touched by their concern, and no doubt grateful for the gift, foremost in his mind was to teach them that his happiness was not determined by his wealth or poverty.
One sees the last line frequently in Christian writings: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” But in most cases the phrase is misunderstood. Paul was not trying to impart that he could reach a personal goal despite hardship. He was not saying, “I can accomplish anything, because Christ is on my side.”
Rather, we must read his words in the context of the preceding sentence: “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” He is talking about endurance and gratitude; he has not become discouraged or anxious when he has slept on the ground or in chains, nor has he considered that he reached a goal when he had a warm bed, plenty of food, and friends surrounding him. He has learned equanimity through the ups and downs of his life; his spirit is unaffected by his circumstances.
We must remember, also, that half of his secret is how to deal with comfort and abundance. It is an odd response to a gift, to say “I didn’t really need it; Christ empowers me to endure poverty and riches equally.” But he would rather share his secret than act falsely gracious. And, one would expect, that the Philippians were mature enough that they did not send the gift to get a social stroking from Paul, but sent it as a gift to God.
Meditation : Prayer : And finally, may the grace of Christ our Savior, and the Father’s boundless love, with the Holy Spirit’s favor, rest upon me, and all of us, from above. Thus may we abide in union, with each other and the Lord, and possess, in sweet communion, joys which earth cannot afford..........Amen |
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