Matthew 18:21-22 – “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.“ NKJV

If you will notice from verse twenty-three forward Jesus relates one of the incredible parables about ‘forgiveness’ and/or the lack thereof.  We have the ‘king’, the ‘servant’ he forgave and the ‘servant’ whom this servant refused to forgive.  In verse thirty-two when the king finds out about this he summons the unforgiving servant and said, “You wicked servant!  I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.”  Incredible!

I have learned that in Christianity or Christian circles so often the claim to spirituality fails miserably on the forgiveness front.  We are to forgive ‘just as…’ but here we see something of what is involved in ‘forgiveness’ and ‘unforgiveness.’  We read this story with a Western mentality and miss some of the revelation provided.  The coinage is important for they do not speak in dollars and cents they talk about talents and denarii so we must wrap our heads around a society over 2,000 years ago and hear what they heard.  They are hearing it from one of the most astounding story tellers of all time, Jesus.

The servant is brought before the king and owes ‘ten thousand talents’.  We have little concept of talents and/or denarii so what does that equate to for us?  10,000 talents = 6,000 denarii and the average worker earned about 6 denarii a week.  It would take 1,000 weeks (20 years) to earn 1 talent but this is 10,000 x 1000 weeks.  What is Jesus saying?  The debt was impossible to repay.  In fact the annual taxes for Judea, Galilee, Samaria, Pariea and Idemoea were only about 800 talents total and this man owes 10,000 talents.  Can you feel this?  The man pleads for an extension and the king refused to give an extension but rather ‘released’ and ‘forgave’ the debt.  It is important to see both words in this context.  The king let the man go free.  However you have to understand that debts do not just go away so in a real sense the king paid the debt and it was an incredibly costly act of benevolence on his part.  The wages of sin is death and Jesus paid our debt!   This is more than just an act of benevolence that can be causally passed over it is astounding!

This servant apparently missed the awesomeness of this act of the king for we find him confronting another who owed him 100 denarii.  Comprehend this if you will 100 Denair is 1/600,000^th of the debt the other was forgiven.  100 denarii is a sizable debt but payable.  If you converted 10,000 talents into nickels it would take 8,600 men carrying sacks of nickels weighing 60 pounds each.  If they walked with about 3 feet between them the line would be 5 miles long but if you take 100 denarii and convert it to nickels you could carry it in your pocket.  Are you catching this? 

The debtors used the identical words asking for patience one was forgiven an unpayable sum and the other refused patience for a payable sum.  When we forgive, we release or we have not forgiven!  We unlock the prison and let them walk free for we are releasing them to God!   Likewise when we refuse to forgive we ‘put them in chains’ and in so doing bring to ourselves incredible hurt.  There will never be a moment peace as a result we cannot retrieve that which is owed and the wound festers and grows.

Notice the king did not intervene it was a matter between servants.  One person with an unforgiving spirit can wreck the local congregation.  Remember Achan?  One man affected the entire nation of Israel.  When I refuse to forgive I am blocking the supply route spiritually to that person and affecting the entire body.  I won’t get into it but if you read the rest of the story you find that the king called the unforgiving servant back in and ultimately turned him over to the torturers due to his unforgiving heart.  The king did not reverse his decision he and his family were not thrown into prison as was first decreed.  No he was handed over to the torturers until the debt was paid which it would never be.  They were Middle-Eastern bill collectors and nasty folks at that.  They came by regularly as a reminder and although he was still in his home and his family not sold as slaves it was mentally, physically and emotionally draining.  He left the other servant in jail so he clearly did not get it.

Here is what I want you to catch in verse thirty-five Jesus said, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespass.”  Remember the words of the Lord, “Forgive us our debts AS we forgive our debtors.”  Sin is our debt we owe God and it is a debt that can never be satisfied by man.  I owe and have to pay but I cannot pay for you cannot forgive yourself and wipe away sin.  But Jesus comes and forgives us and opens the supply routes so that we can be free.  If I have been forgiven an unpayable debt how can I refuse to forgive pocket change? 

How often shall I forgive my brother?   The message of Jesus was an infinite number of times if necessary remembering our own forgiveness!  You will hurt me if you fail to forgive me but you will hurt yourself even more.  When we forgive we release those we have forgiven and the life flow of God comes to us like a refreshing river.

            May God be with you as you go through this day!

Matthew 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  NASU

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  NASU

I have had people insist that the church is to be a hospital for the hurting but I want to suggest it is to be more than a hospital. I would like to suggest that being a hospital is not the primary objective but to be a soul spa, gymnasium, rehab center and university of life.  I believe that it is to be a place of healing but beyond that it is to be a place where the spiritual man is developed to its fullest potential.  That, in my view, is not the picture of a hospital.  If we spend all our time doctoring wounds we are not accomplishing the purposes of God.  If we are to be the Glorious Church that Jesus said He was building then we must rise to our full potential and development in Christ.

In the natural a baby has the capacity to interrelate with the physical world through the sense of hearing but for that capacity to become fruitful it requires time and maturity for that baby to understand what he/she has heard.  Each of us requires time and effort to become fully developed and remain healthy naturally and spiritually.  The inner man requires care just like the outer for health and life.

Sadly, sometimes we view success in the church in terms of ‘nickels & noses’ and that will only produce frustration and fatigue not health and life.  Many are dissatisfied with their religious life and experience and I heard one preacher say, “God I believe in you and the Lord Jesus Christ but if there is not any more to this than what I have discovered thus far I’m quitting at the end of the year.”  There are too many people frustrated in their experience.  They are not deliberate hypocrites but do not know how to change or grow.  The Christian walk, to them, is a constant struggle and they end up wearing masks to hide their frustration but inside they are struggling daily.

We like formulas and sometimes substitute them for development and experience.  Christianity cannot be reduced to a formula but requires work, development, commitment and results in growth in the inner man.   Having said all that let me ask the question of the title and address that briefly.  Have you ever really asked God what He thinks of you?  Have you ever asked Him how much you are worth?  Do it now! 

To God you are worth as much as God Himself.  Why or how can I say that?  Simply because worth is determined by the price paid for it.  In your natural life have you noticed that if something is valuable you take much better care of it than something that is inexpensive?  The word in the text is ‘forfeit’ (zemios) not (appolumi) which would be lost sheep alienated from God this is forfeiture and indicates ‘damage’. 

 I want you to quickly consider eight ways for the determination of worth:

• Who made it.
• What was made.
• Uniqueness or Scarcity.
• Personal preference and choice.
• Potential worth or value.
• Price Tag.

             God made you and that in His own image so you are a unique one of a kind original.  God chose you and called you and you are an eternal soul.  Your soul’s health brings practical benefit here and now and you were purchased at a great price – The Blood of Jesus!

So how much is your soul worth?   The Blood of Jesus!   So with that in mind go forth as whose you are and in the worth God has placed on you!  Blessings!

Psalm 91 – – Suggested Reading.

Due to brevity of space I will not give this Psalm in its entirety rather refer to it.  Psalm 91 is a picture of the Place of Victory that God desires His children to attain and live.  Jesus came that we might have LIFE and that MORE ABUNDANT.  He came to redeem us from the curse and bring us to full and total victory causing us to ALWAYS TRIUMPH in Him.  It brings God no glory for us to live beneath that place of promise He purchased for us.

I would like to remind you that when Moses brought the Children of Israel to the place where they could enter the Promised Land and take possession of their inheritance God gave each tribe a prophecy and a promise.  Please take note that for them to possess the promise they first had to dispossess the occupants thereof.  That is important!   Jesus has purchased us the full inheritance but for us to enjoy that promise we must move in and through the Spirit of God and dispossess the one that is camped on our inheritance.

As they came to the borders of the place of inheritance and promise prophecies were given as found in Deuteronomy 33.  Consider them briefly:

• RUBEN (v.6) – – Life with many heirs.
• JUDAH (v.7) – – Sufficiency.
• BENJAMIN (v.12) – – Protection and Deliverance.
• JOSEPH – – (vv. 13-17) – – Presence of God, Holy Spirit, Gifts.
• EPHRAIM & MANASSEH – – (v.17) – – Glory.
• ZEBULUN (v.18) – – Joy
• ISSACHAR (vv.18-19) – – Prosperity.
• GAD (vv.20-21) – – Increase.
• DAN (v.22) – – Authority.
• NAPHTALI (v.23) – – Satisfaction and Favor.
• ASHER (vv.24-25) – – Anointing and Oil.

LEVI was identified as the priestly tribe.  These promises combined translate into a picture of the fullness of life we are to have in Christ as Kings and Priests unto God walking in the fullness of our inheritance.  Just as they faced occupants who were occupying their inheritance there is an enemy that would attempt to prevent us from entering into the fullness of what God has provided for us.  Remember the Bible says ‘resist the devil’ and he will flee.  It did not say that he would automatically leave or leave without a struggle.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus and it is time that we POSSESS the PROMISES in the Power of the Spirit of God and on the Authority of God’s Word.

We need to move into God’s Vision and away from our individual survival visions that tend to prevent us from fully entering in.  Remember the words of Jesus “fear not little flock for it is My Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”   It is time to Possess the Promise! 

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Proverbs 4:20-27 – “My son, give attention to my words;  Incline your ear to my sayings.  21 Do not let them depart from your sight;  Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.  23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.  24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.  25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.”  NASU

In a devotional, space and brevity prevent a full exegesis of almost any passage so bear with me as I attempt to highlight what I sense the Lord would have me convey.  It is my settled conviction that God’s word should serve as our guide in life and practice.  It is as we delve into the precepts and principles taught therein we find a place in God that is lofty in our daily lives.  God never presents lofty precepts and principles attainable only by a privileged few but desires them for all believers.  Those lofty places in the Spirit of God are never based on performance but heritage.  It is because God is our Father!  Here we find some incredible instruction that will lead us into that loftiness in the spiritual realm.

GIVE ATTENTION…

The instruction is ‘attend to’ or ‘do’ the word.  We are admonished to follow the instructions contained herein.  We are to hear, understand and implement them in our lives.  Truth that is not appropriated and applied is knowledge that will ‘puff up’ but will not advance our lives or the kingdom.

INCLINE YOUR EAR…

We are to ‘listen’.  As we learn to listen we find our understanding is illuminated enabling us to comprehend what is being taught, to properly respond to that truth.  It is as we understand that we can truly become a ‘doer of the word’ not just a hearer.

NOT DEPART FROM YOUR EYES…

We are instructed to keep the instructions in the forefront of our minds or in our consciousness.  We know from scripture and science that we become what we behold or what we are continually placing in our consciousness.  It is as we keep the covenant of God steadfastly and continuously in our heart and mind we find our natural response is to obey that instruction.

IN THE MIDST OF YOUR HEART…

Simply allow your spirit man to be so filled with the words of the Lord that you are continuously ‘Spirit-led’.  The encouragement is to allow the word of God to permeate our spirits so that what comes out of our hearts and mouths is God’s Word.

The result of those four things is two-fold as is evidenced in verse 22 – Life and Health.  The writer takes us further in vv. 23-27 with the requirement of carefully watching over our hearts because out of the heart comes life and to avoid deceit from us guarding our words.  He counsels us to keep focused on the prize watching how we live and resist the temptation of straying from our firm commitment.

We can live in the abundant life that Jesus has purchased for us but we will not achieve that place spiritually unless we value the food of the soul the Word of God.  May God be with you as you invest in His word and kingdom!  Blessings!

Isaiah 9:6-7 – “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”  NKJV

Many have the tradition of a candlelight service or some gathering in church on Christmas Eve and that is wonderful!  Some families open one present on Christmas Eve and share a special thought or testimony and that is great!  Regardless of how you celebrate, the coming of the Christ in Bethlehem the fulfillment of the Promised Messiah is the focus of the celebration or should be.

What was the Promise?  A child would be born who was a Son (the Son of God) and the government would be on His shoulders.  It would not be government as we traditionally understand but the Kingdom of God not man-made traditions but the purpose of God.  He would be identified as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.  He would be the dispenser of Justice and His Kingdom would be everlasting!  We are talking about something eternal not something temporal.  The disciples missed that when walking with Jesus thinking that He was going to dethrone the Romans and occupy the throne of an earthly kingdom but Jesus had a much larger purpose in mind and it focused on the eternal.

Earthly governments come and go.  Kings rise and fall.  Tyrants and benevolent rulers appear and disappear but the Kingdom of God is everlasting and that is the Kingdom into which you and I have been born spiritually in the New Birth!  That is what God promised and began to become reality with the birth of the Christ in Bethlehem.  That event was a visible deposit of hope for the fulfillment of the Promise of Redemption for mankind that God declared in Genesis.

What a beautiful gift that the Father has given to mankind.  A child born of a virgin in Bethlehem on that eventful night the Messiah.  The short lifespan of Jesus on earth opened the door to life eternal.  Many celebrate the season without focusing on the reason and miss the Promise that gives purpose to everything in existence.  Without the promise we have no purpose and without purpose we are like rudderless ships tossed on the waves of life.  That is not us for we have Him who is Life and in Him we live and move and have being.  He is the Promise and the Joy of Christmas!

May God richly bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”  NKJV

I love carpentry and wood working.  I wish that I were more skilled but enjoy watching a building or a project come together and that which was nothing become something either beautiful or functional and am always impressed with fine craftsmanship.  The pyramids of Egypt have always been an architectural wonder for me.  The research that I have done suggests that every rock fits perfectly into place and each of them had a specific place and could fit in no other location.  That I find fascinating!

That is exactly what God wants and plans for the Church.  He wants to and will fit us into His building as ‘living stones’ and each stone has a unique place, purpose and function.  What kind of stones, are used to build a temple or a pyramid?  Big stones, little stones and even odd shaped stones are needed IF they fit together.  What a picture that our Lord the Master Builder guiding his earthly gifts in fashioning, shaping and placing the stones until there is a perfect fit.  The little stones have to be satisfied filling the gaps.  The big stones have to be willing to endure the stress and responsibility of providing structural support for the others.  The odd shaped stones will need to be patient waiting for the perfect spot to place them for their unique function.  The Lord has chosen a spot for each of his ‘living stones’.  Some stones in a building have to be placed underground out of sight in order to give structural strength for the foundation.  It is imperative that we not ‘envy’ the place of another but ‘desire’ the unique place and function that He has chosen for us.  In that place we will provide an indispensable service for the Kingdom of God and in the Body of Christ.

I have seen reports bemoaning the high turnover rate in companies.  I saw one report that suggested that 80% of people working full time were dissatisfied with their employment.  If that is true then it is reflective that many if not most are dissatisfied with life in general and want more or more opportunity and feel underused, under-appreciated and/or unfulfilled in life.  That produces a ‘negative’ self-image that is contrary to the image God would have us attain.  I believe the best cure for a ‘negative’ self-image is to discover God’s purpose and will for your life and embark in pursuit of it.  It does not matter if God has called and designed us to be big stones, little stones or odd shaped stones we are all unique and our purpose is to glorify Him.

The only lasting cure for a ‘negative’ self-image is spiritual growth.  In Colossians 1 Paul emphasizes the crucial need to understand God’s will, so that we can walk worthy, be faithful, increase in the knowledge of God, be strong, be steadfast, patient and thankful.  Jesus said He glorified the Father in John 17:4 by having ‘accomplished the work given to him.’  We need to ‘know’ the will of God for us and then ‘pursue’ that purpose in our lives.  The place and purpose God has chosen for you is based on what He has placed in you and how He has fashioned and is fashioning you.  Whether you are the one upfront or the janitor you function is vital and valued.

So it is vital if we are to fulfill our purpose and achieve our destiny that we allow the Holy Spirit to fashion us and place us in the spot God has chosen not the spot we think we should be given.  Just as the various parts of the human body have vastly different functions and purposes so do the living stones in the Body of Christ.  Be the stone He has made you and you will soar with the eagles spiritually!

            May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  NKJV

             How many have quoted this passage?  Most of us!  Recently I had a discussion with a person regarding this passage and he challenged me asking, “The directive is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.   Are those two separate and distinct items or is this saying that He is the kingdom of God?”  He was intrigued with the subject and honestly wanted my reflection on the question.

My immediate response question was, “What should be the primary focus of our seeking if it is not JESUS?”  It would be quite easy to split hairs, build doctrines and claim some new revelation that others can run with but what is the primary object of focus and seeking?  If I am seeking the kingdom of God am I not seeking Jesus, His rule, His authority, the life He has afforded?  If I am seeking His righteousness am I not seeking Jesus, His purity, His person and as a result His power?  If I am seeking His righteousness am I not seeking His Covenant?  If I am seeking  His righteousness am I not seeking to be completely transformed by His person and not just represent Him in this present world but manifest Him?

Jesus spoke words of comfort and promise in Luke 12:32 – “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”   The apostles preached the ‘gospel of the kingdom of God’ and the heart of their preaching was JESUS, His rule and righteousness.  Jesus told His followers that ‘the kingdom of God was at hand’ as a word to stir their hearts to a deeper commitment and resolve to stand firm in their faith.  The disciples asked Jesus, “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”  (Acts 1:6) Jesus sent them out to preach ‘the kingdom of God’. (Luke 9).  He sent them with authority and power.  He sent them with His authority and power to not only proclaim but demonstrate the King and the Kingdom.

Therefore, I must ask, “what are we seeking?”  Some seek a kingdom in which they will have a place of prominence, profit or persona.  Some seek the kingdom of God in which Jesus is the Lord of all.  Some declare that they are seeking Him and in finding Him they will have ALL added to them.  Kingdom, Righteousness, Miracles, Power, Provision, Protection and most of all JESUS!  So what was the directive?  In my simple view it is to SEEK HIM. 

Would to God that our hearts so craved and desired Him that nothing could ever be allowed to become a substitute, distraction or diversion!  Would to God that we would become so focused on Him manifesting Himself in our lives that we turn neither to the right or the left but keep our focus on the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus!  Would to God that we so focused and sought the kingdom of God and His righteousness that sin had the same impact on us as it did and does on Him!

            May God be with you as you go through this day!

I do not want to strain at gnats and swallow camels or even upset anyone’s sensibilities but ask that you allow me to present a thought regarding the song and the celebration of the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas.’  You can find it amusing, beneficial, or consider it in error but all I ask is that you hear the conclusion of the whole matter and then decide if it is something that could be meaningful for you.

The song we most closely associate with this is one that many would consider a ‘nonsensical song’ and maybe it is and this is probably painting with too broad a brush but allow me to offer a thought regarding the song that makes it meaningful to me.  That is the key, ‘meaningful to me’ and you may not share my thoughts but if you do I hope it blesses you.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… a partridge in a pear tree.  What if we understood the symbolism to be Jesus Christ, the Son of God represented by as a mother partridge protecting her nestlings and remember Jesus’ lament in Luke 13:34 – “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so…”  On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…two turtle doves.  Allow the symbolism of the Old and New Testaments which together bear witness of God, creation and His incredible love to surface.  On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me… three French hens.  Now consider the three theological virtues of faith, hope and love in this verse.  On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…four calling birds.  How about we identify this as the Four Gospels:  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in which, God’s Good News is proclaimed in Jesus Christ Himself?  On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…five golden rings.  Here I identify this as the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible:  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy which are literally the foundation of our faith in history and vision.  On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…six geese a-laying.  Here my mind sees the six days of creation where God is the creator and sustainer of the world.  On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…seven swans a-swimming.  Insert the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:  Prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.  The equipping to live this life in Christ!  On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…eight maids a-milking.  In my mind I picture the eight beatitudes:  Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.  On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…nine ladies dancing.  In my mind I identify this as speaking of the nine fruit of the Holy Spirit:  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?  On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…ten lords a-leaping.  Here I easily envision the Ten Commandments.  On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…eleven pipers piping.  How about the eleven faithful disciples who remained true and faithful to our Lord?  On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… twelve drummers drumming.  It might be a stretch but if any of the aforementioned was in the motivation then one could easily consider this as speaking of the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

Regardless of whether the song was meant to be any of that and this is only my feeble attempt to make something spiritual out of something secular, I have chosen to insert thoughts in this song that gives it spiritual meaning for my life.  I do that on occasions and as I listen to a song there is a new enjoyment as I use it to enhance my celebration of Christmas.  Christmas is AMAZING GRACE in full view and the only reason for the season is God’s Love for mankind in which or through which He opened the door of possibility that we could enter into Eternal Life forgiven!

May you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and may God be with you as you go through this day and celebrate this joyous season!

Philippians 4:10-13 – “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  NKJV

In considering the subject of ‘contentment’ as Paul defined it he gives us three powerful spiritual resources from which we can draw, make us adequate and give us contentment.

THE OVERRULING PROVIDENCE OF GOD – – (4:10)

In our day of scientific achievement we hear less and less about the providence of God.  It appears to me that we sometime get the idea that the world is a vast natural machine and that God Himself cannot interrupt the wheels as they turn.  Oh how foolish mankind can be.  If you take note of the word ‘providence’ you find it comes from two Latin words:  ‘Pro’ = before and “Video’ = to see.  So God’s providence simply means that ‘God sees it beforehand.’  The beauty is that not only does He see but He is actively involved in doing something about it.

An example of that is in Genesis 37-50 where we find the story of Joseph and his brothers.  The brothers envied him, sold him into slavery when he was just a young lad.  He was taken to Egypt and ultimately became second in command in the most powerful nation of that day.  After about 20 years of separation Joseph and his brothers were reunited and in Genesis 45:5 he says, “God did send me before you to preserve life.”  Then in Genesis 50:50 he said, “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it for good.”  God had not abandoned him and had used the events of life to ‘work all things together for his good.’  We would do well to realize that life is not a series of accidents it is series of appointments.  Therefore we can be content knowing that God is still in control.

THE UNFAILING POWER OF GOD – – (4:11-13)

Paul is quick to let everyone know that he is not complaining.  His happiness and joy are not dependent upon his circumstances but comes from something deeper and is totally separate from poverty or prosperity.  I would suggest that most have learned to be ‘abased’ because when difficulties come we normally run to the Lord in prayer.  How many have learned to ‘abound’?  For some prosperity has done more harm than good.  Not all but some for they become like those of Revelation 3:17 – “I am rich, and increased with good, and have need of nothing” and they to remain dependent on God as a result.

The word “instructed’ in verse 12 is not the same as ‘learned’ in verse 11 it means ‘initiated into the secret’  This word was used by the pagan religions with reference to their ‘inner secrets’.  It was through trial and testing that Paul was ‘initiated’ into the wonderful secret or revelation of contentment in spite of circumstances.  He declared in Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.”  Paul’s motto was and ours should be:  “I can through Christ.”

THE UNCHANGING PROMISES OF GOD – – (4:14-20)

Paul compares the Philippians’ gift to three very familiar things:  A budding tree (v.10) the word ‘flourished’ carries the idea of a flower or tree budding and blossoming.  That comes from the life within.  An investment (vv.14-17) where we find the word ‘communicate’ which is our familiar word ‘fellowship’.  The church entered into an arrangement of ‘giving and receiving’. They gave materially to Paul and received spiritually from the Lord.  A ‘sacrifice (v.18) here we see that Paul clearly recognized the sacrificial actions of these believers.

That makes me think of the spiritual sacrifices identified in scripture:  Romans 12 (our bodies), Hebrews 13 (the praise of our lips and our good works).  Paul did not see the gift as just from men but from heaven itself through these believers.  Let me paraphrase what he said:  “You have met my need, and God is going to meet your need.  You met one need that I have, but my God is going to meet all your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your needs out of His riches in glory!”   Hudson Taylor said:  “When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack God’s supply.”

Contentment is from the adequate resources of God.  We have His providence, power and promise.  Why would we not be content?   God bless you as you move forward in your walk and warfare!  Blessings!