Just remembering my mama today. If she were still here on earth with us, I would make sure she had a coconut cake. I would go sit with her. I would hug her and enjoy her scent. This was her birthday. Thankful for her today. Missing her still.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12
Yes, I am still in the book of Philippians. I don’t want to leave it yet. I may have missed something. And I haven’t finished the instructions in the front of the book.
While taking a little professional exam many years ago, I learned that reading carefully is important. One missed word changes the whole context of a passage.
Here, in the book of Philippians, Paul has just listed his credentials. Go ahead and click on Philippians to read all of chapter 3. His point being, he was a rule keeper. He knew the law and kept the law and enforced the law. Before being met while approaching Damascus.
Jesus took hold of him. The light of that meeting was so bright it brought Paul to the ground. It blinded him for three days. He didn’t eat or drink during those three days. I think it is fair to say that when Jesus took hold of Paul, He wanted him to remember the meeting.
Paul remembered. Paul knew why Jesus took hold of him. The gospel message needed another speaker. So Jesus grabbed Paul on the side of the road and made an impression. Forever marked the former persecutor of the gospel message.
When Paul opens chapter 3, he makes no apologies for writing what seems like the same stuff as before. No apology needed, Paul. We get it. They probably got it. We are a hard-headed bunch that needs the message repeated.
I wonder if he, too, needed it to be repeated because of that meeting outside Damascus. It was one of those moments you just don’t want to forget. You really want to keep it on your mind because those are the things from which lives are changed.
He continues to press on. The full goal hasn’t been met. That taking hold is still taking hold. There is still more that needs to be done.
So I sit with Philippians open still. There may be more to press on for. There may be someone reading this that needs to be taken hold of by Jesus. I pray so.
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20
Do you know that secret place? It is not necessarily a physical place. It is the recesses of your heart and mind where you find solace with Him. It may be in the middle of a chaotic space that you know His presence. It may be sitting alone in a quiet space that you sense His presence.
Regardless of the space you are in, child of God, He is with you. He keeps you.
And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:11
Since capturing Eve’s attention in the garden the old serpent has continued to slip his way into the interests of mankind. He dresses up lies to make them appealing. He lures with promises he can’t keep.
God gave Adam and Eve all they would ever need. But they wanted more. Sometimes our wants will hurt us. Their wants opened a chasm of separation we continue to experience today.
Jesus bridged the chasm.
I saw an illustration recently with a globe. The speaker pointed to each pole. There are definitive points at those poles. Head north and you will reach a point that as you continue you will be heading south. And so it goes as you head south, there is a point at which you will be heading north.
This doesn’t apply as you head east or west. Begin your travel in either direction and you will continue in that direction.
as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
There is no measurement to define the distance between east and west other than the outstretched arms of the Savior.
A small child touched her daddy’s face with eyes fixed on him repeatedly saying, “Papa, papa, papa!” War had taken her away from him and she was in his arms again. “Papa, papa, papa!”
Peace washed over that little face knowing the protection of her Papa. In his arms she feels secure. In his embrace she knows she is loved. Wrapped in the love of her father, she can’t help but exclaim, “Papa!”
We all need that!
The Father is always ready to welcome His child into His Presence.
Just a prayer away.
Just a praise away.
Run to Him today and find peace.
He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4
Yesterday was busy. My clothes dryer stopped drying my clothes. With the humidity at 100%, even hung all over the house with the air conditioning on, clothes will not dry quickly. Doorways became clotheslines.
I work from home each Wednesday in an effort to focus on the tasks at hand. Wednesdays are always busy. I add laundry in the mix to force myself to get up and move away from the computer. I didn’t expect the dryer going out!
May I ask you a question about your laundry space? If you have a washer and a dryer, do you periodically move them to clean under and behind them? I confess, I don’t! But I should!
Since my kids were around the age of 10, they do their own laundry. Yes, even my boys learned to do their own laundry at that age. They may not sort properly and definitely like to keep baskets full of clean clothes sitting around as their storage method. They also will leave used dryer sheets on the floor. Those things slip easily under machines!
My laundry room also serves as storage for cleaning supplies. So I emptied the space (not a very large laundry room) of all things cluttering the floor except the two machines. I proceeded to pull the dryer away from the wall while disturbing dust from centuries ago. Not really but it felt like it. I found clothes hangers and dryer sheets and lint behind and under that machine. It was really embarrassing! But gave me a really good opportunity to clean that space.
After work, my sweet husband went straight to purchase a new machine. I had the space ready for him. He was not accosted by the dust bunnies. He was able to come in the space, remove the old and bring in the new. He did have a slight bump in the road that caused a second trip to the store.
Some of the clothes are still hanging in doorways this morning. I dried one load in the new machine. I was too tired to take down everything down, run it through the dryer and rehang.
I thank God my family has clothes to wear. I am thankful I have functioning machines that will do most of the work for me. I am also thankful for a husband that will get a new machine on his way home from work and install it late on a Wednesday evening.
It has been an eventful week in my house. What about yours? Has God helped you through some issues this week that would have been bigger issues without Him?
Mine was a small issue compared to circumstances many face!
Praying you find Him in all your circumstances!
The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
It’s right there. Paul said “all.” Not some. No ifs, ands or buts.
God will supply all your needs. Not because you or I deserve it. Oh no! According to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
God gives what is undeserved from His goodness. Grace.
God withholds what is deserved. Mercy.
Even in prison, Paul’s needs were met. He experienced the supply of God.
Have you experienced the supply of God? If your first reaction is no, think again. Really take a moment and consider your situation at this moment.
You have some device in front of you. A phone. A tablet. A computer. A laptop.
Is there a beverage close by? Have you eaten today or have the opportunity to do so? Are you clothed? Is there a closet with more clothes that belong to you? Do you have a car or the ability to obtain transportation when you want or need to go somewhere? Did you have a place to sleep last night? Is there a group of believers you call family?
If you answered yes to those questions, may I suggest you have experienced the supply of God.
And even more importantly, if you are reading still, you have the desire to know God. Look for His supply in your life. He has a never-ending supply. His storage capacity is greater than anything you can imagine.
Recognize Him for it. Thank Him for his faithfulness. Praise Him for sharing His riches.
Paul’s missionary journey took him to many places. He faced opposition, persecution, violence. Throughout, he maintained his contentment and proclaimed the sufficiency of God’s provision for his life. He was thankful.
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left 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. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. Philippians 4:14-18
And he wasn’t thankful just for himself, he was thankful for the spirit of compassion he saw in those with whom he had shared the gospel. He looked at them as a parent that looks at that child that just picked a weed and presented it as beautiful token of his love for his mama. No store-bought gift could compare to what was given from the heart.
In our day, so many opportunities exist to share out of our bounty. But it isn’t just from the abundance of stuff, it is from the abundance of grace and mercy given to us from our Father. Sharing comes from a place of thankful abundance and the desire to allow others to know that same grace and mercy; to know the satiated desire of a heart full of God’s love.
Do you have a heart-bursting passion in sharing? I know several people who give in various ways, not because they want the attention or because they feel obligated, but because God has laid that spirit of sharing and compassion on their lives.
Do you have a favorite way of sharing? An organization that you want to share? An act of kindness that has brought you and others joy? Would you share with us?
I have a friend that developed a habit of having a supply of bags in her car with a few necessities in each bag. If she saw someone on the street or a parking lot that seemed to need one, she would share. Just a simple act to let someone know they are noticed, cared for, prayed over.
Paul made certain to let the Philippians know that he wanted the joy of sharing to be experienced by them.
Be filled with joy in sharing with others.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:5
God is the ever-present help.
On this new day, before the sun is up, He is already helping. He didn’t stop last night. He is faithful. He knows what we need when we don’t.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, Hebrews 6:19
He keeps us in the midst of turmoil around us, He holds us in His steady grasp. He never forsakes us. If the world tries to convince you otherwise, it lies. Turn your back on the lies.
And look forward to what God has in front of you. Seek Him with all your heart and mind and you will find Him. He isn’t hard to find. Just look.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NASB1995
You know this verse. I know this verse. This verse is used to encourage anyone that may be struggling. It brings with it a sense of hope that God will see us through anything. And He will.
Have you studied the passage along with the verses before and after? I have but I come to it again and see some new stuff. Not that it wasn’t there before but a new day brings a new perspective.
Going back up the page to verse 10.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.”
Philippians 4:10 NASB1995
Paul is rejoicing in the Lord greatly for the Philippians’ revived concern for him. Not that they didn’t have it before but there was something keeping them from displaying it. Maybe they had a headache. Or their car wouldn’t start. Perhaps there was a new series on Netflix they wanted to watch in its entirety and couldn’t make the time. Something kept them from showing concern for Paul, who had shared the gospel message and encouraged them in their walk with Christ. But they were finally showing him their concern.
This is what gets me. I know what he means when he says ‘you lacked opportunity.’ Opportunity is anything that keeps you from it. I allow too many opportunities to get in the way of other opportunities that may prove more worthy of my attention. Yes, I know, some things are out of my control and just can’t be helped! But in the other times what is my excuse?
Not that anyone depends on my concern but from the fellowship with God flows the need to share in others’ concerns. Finding and taking the opportunity to share in each other’s concerns because that is what being the body of Christ is all about. Standing shoulder to shoulder to support one another in life.
Then he shifts gears to let them know that he had learned contentment and that even if they didn’t show their concern he was still content. He is thankful for their concern but his position didn’t change without their attention. His source of contentment never left him.
“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.”
Philippians 4:11-12 NASB1995
He wanted them to know he didn’t have wants not being met but was content. Having experienced both humble means and prosperity, he had learned a secret. Contentment. This is where verse 13 comes into the picture. After living through good and bad times, he wants them to know the source of his contentment no matter the circumstances.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NASB1995
God had strengthened Paul through his walk with Him. Paul’s journey had been met with some tough circumstances but God saw him through. Not only the hard times but the good as well. God was more than enough to meet his needs and wants. Paul offers us the hope he had already lived and so have we who hold tightly to the continuance of His presence with us.
No matter the circumstances, we can find strength sufficient for the time from God. His provision is more than enough for every circumstance.
Have you experienced this first-hand? Will you encourage others by sharing a quick “Yes” letting us know that God provides for the needs of those who place their trust in Him?
Then go out and be certain to show concern for those in your life. Let them know of your concern. A quick word of encouragement or a kind gesture to remind someone that you care.
