The Secret of Christian Contentment (2)
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Open your bibles and turn with me to Philippians 4:10-13
If you are a guest – welcome to you!!
On the heels of speaking about the peace of Christ – and the God of peace!
Who gives to us peace in all things….in verses.4-9
Paul moves a little bit further into the topic of Contentment!
Paul seems to have a bead on some train of thought…
by moving from anxiety to peace, to contentment
And I think what I might say to that is this….
Is that Paul seems to be diving deeper and deeper into the human heart.
Consider the body-soul dynamic. We have a body that and soul….
We are embodied souls…and Jesus tells us simple truths,
like from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
That we, as human beings contain hearts that from deep within us, because of sin,
and because of our own brokenness, produce sin, that manifests itself outwardly….
That is, it is produced within and from a physical body….but it comes from someplace deeper.
The same is true, with the idea of contentment.
That within the idea of restlessness, and anx, and frustration….
That diving deeper, what we may find is a lack of
true rest and contentmentwithin our own soul.
That is, that what steadies the anxious heart,
is the ballast of deep contentment and confidencein Christ!
Sermon Summary: In Christ, we have all we need to live with contentment in all circumstances.
Sermon Summary: In Christ, we have all we need to live with contentment in all circumstances.
The question is, how do we live with contentment….
How do we find a deep, deep rest, namely in Christ in all seasons of life.
Building upon the 6 commands and remedies for anxiety….in verses 4-9
REJOICE, KNOW, BE NOT ANXIOUS, LET KNOWN, THINK, and PRACTICE
NOW this text, God gives to us,
through the APOSTLE 3 means to live with contentment.
And above all, THE secret to contentment.
And Paul’s main pointis that contentment rises and goes far beyond our circumstance.
But is anchored in the person of Christ!!
It goes far beyond our supply, our cash….our rags or our riches.
But is anchored in the sufficiency of Christ!
It goes much deeper than the frustrations and frets of life,
And is rooted in the substance of Christ!
---------------------------Stand
10 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
------------------------Pray
I. Rejoice in God’s Presence and People (v.10)
I. Rejoice in God’s Presence and People (v.10)
10 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.
The Apostle Paul begins, personally, in the same way that he encouraged the Philippians
REJOICE!
In Philippians 3:1 – Paul commended the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord!!
And again in 4:4 – to REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS!
That is in the midst of trouble, conflict, anxiety, and difficulty!
Don’t let it rob you of rejoicing!
So now – Paul says – I TOO REJOICED in the LORD!!
That Paul’srejoicing – like the Philippians.
It isn’t proven by circumstancebut in the presence of Christ…. that is in the Lord!
And even here Paul is pushing past happiness,
And towards something deeper, something more profound, namely Joy….
That comes from in the unchanging Lord!
And in anchored in the Joy of Christ!!
We know of Paul’s rejoicing in that the Gospel is being proclaimed,
even if it means that Paul remains imprisoned (Phil 1:18)
And note here, that Paul says – my rejoicing was exceedingly more!!
(that is – I rejoiced greatly!!)
That now at length you have revived your concern for me….
The word for “revive” means to bloom again
Like a flower, that lays dormant in winter, to bring forth new life in the spring!!
Paul says- your reviving concern for me!
Has caused me great rejoicing!
We know the Philippians have always been dear to the Apostle Paul!
Paul holds them dear in his heart – because of their partnership together. (1:7)
He desired they share a common mindset together in Christ (2:2)
They’ve shared in conflict together – (1:30)
And the Apostle Paul says- your concern for me was revived –
It’s the idea of their minds being considerate of the Apostle Paul’s hardship!
Consider the Apostle – all alone, in moments of adversity,
in times of need and needing encouragement and refreshment!
Thinking of his beloved churches and thinking of the Philippians –
wondering about how they are doing, the weight, the stress, the hardship, the isolation.
Desiring to be encouraged and contentin Christ
And to look up, in his chains, only to see Epaphroditus coming from Philippi to bring
a gift of encouragementto the Apostle Paul
Of which Paul thanks them for Philippians 4:17-18.
And then to consider the great length that Epaphroditus endured for his brother in Christ!
For he nearly died, risking his very life (Phil 2:25)
And Paul eventhen acknowledges that would have absolutely crushed me,
if something would have happened to him!!
But what JOY I have – of your revived concern - PHILIPPIANS
Your love, what gratitudeI have….and what a timely encouragement!!
What a gift you all are to me!!
It’s causedme GREAT rejoicing!!
To recognize the gift and the encouragement that God gives,
Not only from himself, but also through His people!
Beloved, you need other Christians, around you to encourage you!!
To help….to give timely and fresh reminders of His grace!
And I have found that God often uses timely encouragements from the Lord’s people,
to build us up in times of trouble, and in difficulty!
And remind us, we aren’t alone!!
And let me just encourage you NOT to live life alone!
Don’t try to be macho isolated Christian!!
The Lord hasn’t designedyou to live that way,
but instead to live in community!!
Consider the Proverbs 17:17 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Consider Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:15-18
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
That in the midst of several people abandoning Paul,
Paul considered the dearness of the brother Onesiphrous, and says-
he often refreshed me…..like the wind within my sails!!
He sought me out, and earnestly encouraged me!!
And Paul says to the Philippians– your revived care and concern for!
In the same way brought me great joy!!
One of God’s gracious gifts to his saints, is the gift of togetherness, with other Christians
to bring refreshment, and encouragement to us in times of need!
To rejoice in their concern – and that we are not alone!!
We have accountability – and we need it!
We have togetherness, and we need it
We have others, and we need it!!
And in just a few weeks, we will begin community groups, with that purpose in mind!!
Because we need it!!
More than just knowing names and faces….
But because the Lord has designed for community, and to be in community together!
It is one of God’s means of grace – and combating discouragement and discontentment!!
How discouraged we can become – when we feel isolated.
How trapped we can feel, when we feel there is nobody who understands, listens, or cares!!
May it never be so, among us at GraceLife!!
Instead, may we be the source of refreshing, reminding, and rejoicing!!
In the Lord, and because of the care we have among one another!
And how timely it often is!! ….
You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
But at the right time, God allowed the encouragement to come!!
And what GREAT rejoicing it brought me!!
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II. Rest in God’s Plan and Providence (v.11-12)
II. Rest in God’s Plan and Providence (v.11-12)
Paul’s statement at the end of verse v.10….and the beginning of v. 11….
are clarifying in nature….
The Apostle Paul, wants the Philippians to understand….that he isn’t frustrated in any way…
He truly is rejoicing, in how the Lord has worked within them, and within his own heart!
He doesn’t wantthem at all to think, the delaying of a gift,
caused him to become displeased or has causedsome sense of a questioned love for him…
Paul says – I want to you know that I genuinely mean that I rejoice! …
I know your heart….don’t feel bad about anything!!
I thank the Lord for you, and your support!!
And, considered what I’ve learned.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Paul says again in verse 12….that He has learned the secret….
Brothers and sisters, contentment is something that doesn’t just come naturally…
But is supernatural….and even something that must be practiced and learned!
And Paul shows us this, by showing the bookends of extremes….
He uses the ends of circumstances….
In verse 11. Whatever circumstance.
In verse 12 – any and every circumstance
In verse 13 – in all things!!
Further, note the contrast of conditions –
To be brought low….that is to be humbled.
To abound – that is to be well supplied!
Facing plenty – having myself satisfied with an abundance of food…
Or being starved and hungry!
In having more than enough…and also in being in need.
And all of the circumstances…Paul lived among and within!
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Even in Philippi in Acts 16:22-25
22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
Or in Acts 17, where a crowd was stirred up against Paul and Silas in Berea.
Or when Paul was driven out of Achaia in Acts 18
Or when a plot against himwas made in Acts 20
Or in Acts 21 – and Paul knows that the Spirit is leading him to Jerusalem,
and only chains and afflictionawait him there!
3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
This was Paul being as he says here…. brought low….it means to be humbled!!
The same word is used of Christ in Philippians 2:6-8
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
For PAUL sees all of these things in HIS LIFE
, were brought about by the Lord, and was no accident before Him!
Consider my humbling, the God ordained meansof suffering to conform me to Christ!
And also my abounding!!
Seeing the conversion of Lydia – in the church of Philippi….in Acts 16:15
Of the Philippians jailer in Acts 16:34
And the encouragementthe Philippians had given he and Silas in Acts 16:40
In seeing Eutychus being raised from the dead in Acts 20:11
And being brought to safety through the storm and shipwreck, arriving safely in Malta in Acts 28
And of the constantrejoicing Paul shares with the Philippians throughout this letter….
And Paul considers all the ups and downsof his life….and all the seasons of hardship, and joy…
And now, here he sits in house arrest
In a Roman Prison….and Acts 28:20, that Paul was even writing the check to remain in prison.
Jails weren’t state funded in Paul’s day…it was left up to the family to bear that load…
and Paul took it upon himself…
And Paul sits back in the midst of all of this….and says….
In light of it all….here’s my word…….you ready?
I’m CONTENT!!
I recognize that, all of this is in accordance with the plan of God for me!
And that’s why Paul would say, that my chains are “for Christ!”
I’ve been placed here for the sake of Christ!!
God’s not out of control….God’s not off his throne!
He hasn’t lost sight of me!
He hasn’t diminished his purposes for me!!
But has graciously called me in his plan….to this!
And so I’m not going to be sour, I’m not going to be bitter!
And I think this is why He encourages the Philippians toward gratitude
and prayers of thanksgiving Philippians 4:6-7
And why he warns them in Philippians 2:14….about not grumbling or complaining!
But to instead to REST in God’s lot and plan for your life!!
And Paul says, I’m not going to grumble….I’m not going to complain!
I’m not going to become fixated or frustrated,
even about having to pay for my prison sentence.
Or about not having enough!
But instead knows that 1 Timothy 6:6-8
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
The word here for “Content” in Philippians 4:11
αὑτάρκηςautarkēs - sufficientor adequate
It was a Stoic term – that was said to be achieved in Stoic philosophy
by finding sufficiency in oneself…
And what Paul does in using this term, is flips this Stoic and worldly Philosophical on its head…
To say, if you are looking for sufficiency in yourself….you won’t find it.
If you are looking for sufficiency in the changing of circumstance….it wont be there….
It must come from a higher source….and a rest and reliance, from someone outside of you…
And that is the Lord Himself!
To consider his Plan and sovereignty and consider his providence!
For Paul knows….
what have I needed that Christ didn’t supply me.
What have I lacked, that Christ didn’t give…
What have I long for, that Christ didn’t meet.
What have had to endure and embrace,
and have had the joy of experiencing that God’s grace didn’t supply to me.
What lot in life, didn’t pass through the hands of my Sovereign Lord!!
And what have I meet in life, that wasn’t in accord with God’s providence?
What have I faced, and His grace not be sufficient?
And what Paul had to learn in all of these circumstances….
Don’t miss it…he learned it!!
Is that God could be trusted…
That in the lowest moments–
He found that Christ was all he needed
And in theHIGHEST mountain top,
that the only thing that could truly satisfy him was CHRIST
And that regardless of circumstances, He was loved,
God could be trusted,
God could be relied upon,
and He can REST in His Plan, His Providence, and Sovereignty!
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
This was the constant and upward look of the Apostle Paul!!
Resting and trusting in the Sovereignty and Providence of God!!
And how often we fret and become frustrated…discontent, grumble, complain.
Wish we could get out….Try to escape from, God’s will and purpose for us!!
And Paul’s challenge and encouragement, is to LEARN contentment,
by looking to the Lord, and trusting Him!!
That God has you, right where he wants you….when he wants you…
And desires you, to look unto Him….Honor Him with your life, remain obedient to Him,
and Trust Him, and Rely upon Him…and be conformed further to him!
He is sufficient, and He is trustworthy!
And You can rest in Him…..
like you are leaning back into the chair you are sitting in.
You can lean into Christ, and depend on him, even now!
And What He learned, and in order to impart this very wisdom to the Philippians
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
In every circumstance, Paul says, I’ve seen Him do it!!
And in whatever situation I face….I can remain CONTENT
When I don’t know what to do – I can look to Christ (Prov 3:5-6)
When I’m not sure that I have the strength, Christ supplies my strength (Phil 4:13)
When I wonder if I’ll have enough – that I look to Christ as sufficient! (2 Co 3:5)
When I’m going through the fire – to trust God to deliverme! (Dan 6:20)
When I’m in a severe test of affliction, I look to Christ as my strength! (2 Co 8)
When I’m facing temptation, that I look for God’s way of escape (1 Co 10:13)
When I wonder if God can be trusted, even when I give a tithe unto the Lord….
to know that He can be trusted! (2 Cor 9:8)
If God can really save to the utter most, that I look to Christ alone for salvation (Heb 7:25)
Or how to live a life pleasing unto Christ, that I look to Christ, and His word for help (Jude 24)
When I’m wanting, that I look to Christ to supply my needs! (Phil 4:19)
When I’m hungry, that I feedon Christ! (Matt 4:4)
And when I have much, I look to Christ to keep me grounded(Phil 4:12)
WHATEVER situation, IN ANY and EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE….I am to be CONTENT!! (Phil 4:10-14)
Resting in God’s plan, and provision for my life!!
WHAT A TRUTH, BELOVED!!
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III. Rely on God’s Power and Person (v.12-13)
III. Rely on God’s Power and Person (v.12-13)
And so says in v. 12-13
12 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.
Paul says, in all that life has taught me….
and all that Christ has taught me through his plan and providence….
I’ve learned the secret….Not a SECRET …or one of many! THE SECRET
The word here for secret – means to “initiate”
It was a word used to be brought in or initiated into mystic or mystery religions.
But Paul cares nothing of the secrets of Gnosticism or hidden knowledge of the “gods”.
Instead, Paul says that He has been brought in, initiated, into the power of Christ!!
That is when I face plenty – or when I am hungry.
When I have over and above – abundance.
And when I’m lacking and fall short!!
Again, regardless of the circumstance.
I know that God meets me in my need…
And I’ve learned this…I’ve been brought into this power and knowledge!
And Paul tells us explicitly – the power and person who supplies him in his need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
This is the person of Christ Himself.
And this is why Paul can say in 2 Co 12:9-10
In speaking of his thorn in the flesh to keep him humble!!
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
And again in 1 Timothy 1:12-14
12 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
And even when Paul is rejected and deserted by everyone else around him
16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
And Paul says – I can do all things…(Philippians 4:13)
This mean to have the ability (Present ActiveVerb in the Greek)
That is to have power!
That is to be able too!!
In your strength alone?
No – this is not self-sufficiency….Paul means to show us that it’s the opposite!
It is instead Christ dependency!!
I can do them through HIM (CHRIST) who strengthens me!
For it is in our weakness that the power of Christ is made known!!
And you know as well as I do - Philippians 4:13 –
Is perhaps one of the most widely quoted verses….
and usually its out of context.
We see it in the context of sport teams
Or in moment of false humility
Or in random acts within little to no consideration of the “all things”
According to Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The strength for all things
Is not to do anything that would be contrary to the Will of God…
Such as sin
It’s not to strength to do supernatural acts or to be super human.
It’s not the strength that is supplied by self, and sustained by self
It is not the strength that removes responsibility
to repent and confess when we are wrong.
Or to live however we want.
Or that I am free from the means of graceand the community of faith…
Or that I am now self-sufficient.
NO –
This strength is much greater than that….
It’s a strength, Paul says to face the most challenging and difficult moments of your life.
When you are tired, give out, Down and out….or ready to quit….
And in moments of joy,
that your contentment rest beyond circumstance,
and you are continually steadied by Christ!
This is a strength allows you to live in confidence, in a broken world.
Clinging to the only hope – namely Christ!!
It is a strength that empowers you to continue in living for the glory of God
and in the will of God, according to the word of God!
And is a strength that supplies the deepest of resolve in the inner most being…
and continually points us to the hope of Christ!
The secret of Christ –
Is perhaps the most public secretin all the world…
The very gospel Paul proclaimed openly….
The hope of Christ, is the very deepand personal abiding rest
that Paul looks to in times of need, and in times of plenty!
Christ truly is HIS HOPE in all circumstances!
The secret of Christ – the joy and hope found in him!
Given freely to all who will have him, and come to Christ!!
Who Repent of their sins, and by faith cling to Christ and Christ alone!
That’s the invitation of the Lord Himself….
Are you broken? - come!
Burdened down? – Come!
Lacking in strength – come!
Hopeless – come!!
Without knowledge of what to do – come!
Desiring to be saved – come!
Need the joy of Christ – come!!
Paul says – I’ve found the secret, beloved!
And His name is Christ Jesus….
and rejoicing, resting, and constant reliance on Him in ALL THINGS!!!
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CONCLUSION
As we come to a close this morning….
Do you have contentment Christian?
Are you learning to REJOICE in the Lord, in all circumstances?
Relying upon God’s peopleto help in moments of weakness and need?
AND BOTH of those are important….but the order matters!....
Let me explain….
BELOVED, I know that for some of you
The last couple of yearshave been some of the hardest years of your life.
THE HITS have come, of all typesand various kinds!
and you’ve taken life, right on the chin!
And I think if you step back and really zoomin practically to what Paul is saying!
It’s this – THAT EVENwhen you find yourself, at the lowest possible moment
And what feels like the DEEPEST, DARKEST, and LOWEST PIT!!
PAUL says – I HAVE FELT THE BOTTOM….and know that it’s SOLID!!
And I too can say, with the apostlePaul. I have felt, what feels like the bottom before….and I KNOW…..THATit is SOLID!!
And BELOVED, I’ve just never found a placeso hard, so difficult!
So frightening and scary, and dark…
that CHRIST AND HIS MERCYdidn’t meet me there!
And you could readevery theological book….
study every doctrine, and STILL MISS….
THE SECRET!!
Because God teaches you this lessonin a different way!
And he does it through BRINGING YOU LOW….to the bottom!
And something taking you too the MOUNTAIN TOP!!
So that in both, you might see CHRIST!
And find him sufficientin all things….
AND PAULSays, that is the SECRET, that I’ve learned, beloved that I want you to know!
I’ve felt the bottom and it’s solid!!
And I’ve been to the top of the mountain,
and ONLY made me long for JESUS MORE!!
And so for us in this room, I don’t know where you are…..
But the one thingI do….is THIS!
REGARDLESS of where you find yourself –
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHEN ME!!
And when we learnthat truth……
What a glorious grace is the other….
THAT GOD gives to us gospel partners….
BROTHERS and SISTERS to strengthen us in life’s journey!!
And that’s why Paul turns in verse 14 – look there…..
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
In which we consider the partnership and togetherness
of Paul and the PHILIPPIANS…from the FIRST DAY!
And like Book ends, Paul ends this way, but remember how He began in Philippians.
Philippians 1:3-6
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
And here is a little church….
that was small enough to meet in the homes of one of it’s members.
Their measure of valuewasn’t by their size, or their might or popularity.
Instead, their significance
was in the RELATIONSHIP THEY SHARED WITH ONE ANOTHER!
THEY HAD BEEN THROUGH SOME STUFF TOGETHER!!
AND THEY STUCK IT OUT, THEY REMAINED!!
THEY CONTINUED TOGETHER!!!
THIS IS LOVE, THIS IS TOGETHERNESS…THIS IS PARTNERSHIP!
And Paul says – THANK YOU!!!!
And He says – I hold you in my heart….and be encouraged because God is at work!
HE WILL FINISHWHAT HE STARTED!
BUT PHILIPPIANS THANK YOU!!
YET IT WAS KIND OF YOU TO SHARE IN MY TROUBLE!!
God was enough, I’ve learned that!!
But what GRACE you have been to me!!
And I would just say, I would be remissed if I didn’t say to – GRACELIFE CHURCH!!
THANK YOU, for your partnership in the gospel…..
UNTIL THE FIRST DAY…..UNTIL NOW!!
And I could go back to the first day…. Until now, and list the last names….
but I would be too emotional…and I’d leave someone out….
But I can look to you all here,
and MANY who are NOT…..and to many God has brought to us!
AND I THANK GOD FOR EACH ONE!!!
You ALL HAVE BEEN SUCHA SWEET GRACE of the LORD TO ME!!
And I know….that for almost ALL of you, the feeling is mutual……
BECAUSE that is what GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP looks like!!
SO THANK YOU….THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
And I’m confident that HE WHO BEGANA GOOD WORK IN US,
WILL CONTINUEIN THAT WORK!!
SO LET’S keep moving in that DIRECTION – For His GLORY!!
God has given us the gift of the body of Christ
For accountability – and encouragement.
And help in times of trouble!
Are you resting in God’s plan and providence?
That though things may be difficult, things may be hard….
But God has not lost control.
To know that, this is the cross that God intends for you to bear.
And to rest!!
In his plan and in his sovereignty, and in his providence!
And are you looking to Christ, RELYING on Christ for strength,….
This is the secret to Christian Contentment…..
That regardless of what comes, Of what hardship! Or what joy!!
Christ is with you! And Christ is in you!!
AND I AM CONTENT in ALL THINGS
