“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” – Phil. 4:11
Ultra-countercultural verse for our society today which seems malcontent in whatever circumstance it is.
Tag Archives: Philippians
To Be Content
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” – Phil. 4:11
True contentment is found only in knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Why We Celebrate Christmas
Why we celebrate Christmas:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Phil. 2:5-11
The Lord Is Near
“The Lord is near.” – Phil. 4:5
This is true in both time and space.
Jesus is near in time (His return is immanent.)
Jesus is near in space (His presence is close).
Never forget the nearness of the Lord.
Press On
“but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 3:13-14
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Like Kids Playing in the Street
The road in front of our house was nothing but ice, so of course Charlotte wanted to go ice skating on it. We were crossing the street & she stopped to play around. I let her do that for a little while, but then I told her to come in. Like any other kid, I had to tell her multiple times before it got through that I was actually serious. Eventually, I had to go get her. For some reason this was all a great surprise to her & she appropriately made a big fuss.
Here’s what WAS going through my head:
- She’s going to fall on that ice & get hurt.
- She’s little, so any car coming might not see her.
- Its icy, so any car coming may have a hard time stopping.
- It’s cold out here & warm in the house.
- I have hot chocolate inside ready for her.
Here’s what was NOT going through my head:
- I don’t want her to have fun.
Someone who has not accepted Jesus, is like that kid playing in the street. There are cars coming. There is ice everywhere. The sun is going down & it is getting dark.
Love isn’t sitting complicit as they are play. Love is warning them to get out!
Of course, we can’t physically go get people out of the street like I did with Charlotte. We lovingly tell them the truth (Eph. 4:15). We tell them how warm the house is & what a wonderful feast there is inside (Isa. 25:6). We tell them how we also used to play in the street until our Father beckoned us safely away (Luke 15:32). We pray that message pierces their hearts as it did ours (Acts 2:37). But then, it is up to them to turn away from the street & to the Father (Deut. 30:19).
You know what? I did go over there & ice skate with Lovey. Sorta. I held her hands as she scooted across the ice. I walked along beside her & held her up. She slipped a few times, but I never let her fall. I just reassured her, “I got you. I got you. Don’t worry.”
Then after a bit, I carried her inside & we had hot chocolate. God will meet you where you are & if you let Him, He will walk along beside you & hold you up. When you slip, He will never let you fall.
He has you (Isa. 49:16). He has you (Heb. 13:5). Don’t worry (Phil. 4:6).
– If this blessed you, please like & share!
Up To You
It’s not my job to get you to believe in Jesus.
It’s not my job to “sell” you on Him. It’s not my job to make Him as appealing as possible so maybe, if I’m lucky, (fingers crossed!) you’ll give Him a try.
It is my job to tell you about Him. It’s my job to help you realize what Paul realized when he said, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil. 3:8 (New Living Translation)
It’s really up to you.
- It’s up to you if you’ve continued reading this far.
- It’s up to you if you think this is all nonsense.
- It’s up to you if you let Him into your heart.
- It’s up to you where you will spend eternity.
- It’s up to you, not me.
King Agrippa told Paul that he was “almost persuaded.” (Acts 26:28,29) Almost doesn’t cut it. “Almost” might as well be “Not At All.” Paul gave his witness and then it was up to Agrippa. The ball was in his court. And he dropped it. Big time.
It’s not my job to get to you to believe in Jesus, but I’d be happy to help! Jesus is with me to the end of the age. (Matt. 28:19-20) Is He with you?
May God’s Love be with you always
A Verse A Day 