Hi all
In our Church Newsletter I was again reminded of the issue of contentment. NZ is a land of plenty, and I am fortunate to live where I do and to have so much, yet at times it is easy to feel like there should be more to life. Paul though recognised that contentment is not in things or how much or how little we have. Rather it is being in Christ and recognising that in him is the source of our strength and help
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living
In every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Philippians 4 vs. 8-13 – Fix Your Thoughts on What is True
And now, dear brothers and sisters let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts
On what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.
We live in a world which offer us many alternative views, views that can be absorbed and caught
It’s easy to lose focus on that which is good, when the alternative seems plausible and reasonable
When we view the liberalisation and watering down of what we hold true, it is easy to be tense and taut
We are called to be salt and light to a lost world, in order to do this we need to be by God seasonable
Open to our God, focused upon his will, his ways, he calls upon us to seek him in his courts
To enter his courts with praise, to seek him will he may be found, that is unquestionable
Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise .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.
As we look to God’s word we can learn from the example of Paul, God’s intentions can be discerned
Paul whilst saved by grace, demonstrated his faith, we do well to keep this in view
Like Paul can we say that we no longer live, but Christ lives in us, in him are we confirmed?
Choose this day whom you will serve, know this in all things God will bring you thru.
How grateful I am, and how I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again.
I know you have always been concerned for me, but for a while you didn’t have the chance to help me.
Paul knew the cost of following Christ, from Damascus where for him it all began
He knew that whatever his circumstances that he was called to do all for the Glory of God you see
Yet he also knew that no man is an Island and he needed all the support he could gain
Our God who has began a good work in us will take it to completion in the day of Jesus, trust and see
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living
Can we like Paul apprehend that God is aware of all our needs, and knows them every jot and tittle?
Paul knew that by himself he could do nothing, but with the Spirit he and church were thriving
At the end of the day for Paul nothing else mattered than to live for Christ in every way not a little
As we seek and look to the author and perfector of our faith we like Paul, can be in Christ living
In every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Paul didn’t rely on his own understanding; in God he put his trust, wholly not a little
He went through storms, faced all sorts of danger, yet his faith in God did not recede
For us the challenge is will our anchor hold in the storms of life, it’s no riddle
If we like Paul can say I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, we will be free indeed
Mark Maffey, July 2007©
(NLT)