Today I continue our new series entitled, “Power of Fellowship.” Yesterday I talked about being content. I will flow in the same vein today. Let’s go back to what the Apostle Paul said in his closing remarks to the believers in Philippi.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. You can be content in Christ, despite challenges. Of all the Apostles, not only did the Apostle Paul write the most books of the Bible, but he also faced the most opposition along the way. He endured 39 lashes with a cat of nine tails on five different occasions. He was in and out of prison just for preaching the Gospel. He was beaten with rods and with stones. He experienced multiple shipwrecks as he traveled to do what he was called to do. One time he even spent an entire night, holding on to a piece of wood in the open sea. When he made it to shore he was bitten by a poisonous snake. Paul suffered a great deal and he endured it all without complaining. He kept walking with God and because of his close relationship with God he was able to not just get it all done, but he learned to be content along the way. It’s one thing to accomplish an assignment and to do it with a poor attitude, being miserable in the process. But it’s something else to get it done, facing tremendous opposition, and still being content along the way. This is the way God wants us to live and it will only happen as we develop our relationship with Him. This is why we must understand fellowship.
2. You can be saved and miserably saved. This is not the will of God. Some people are Born-Again, but when they look in the mirror they do not like what they see. They haven’t learned how to love themselves, so they cannot love others effectively. They have God and they claim to want to walk with Him, but on the inside they are unhappy. They have not learned how to be content. Their dissatisfaction with life, with themselves, and with others, will keep them from ever becoming the man/woman they are called to be. As you walk with God and allow Him to walk with you, at some point, the key is learning to be content. When you truly appreciate your “today” you are prepared for your “tomorrow”.
3. Never allow God’s call to work against your happiness. Let me explain. Some people know they are called to do something far beyond where they are right now. God called you from the foundations of the world. His call on your life should be your source of vision, motivation, faith and strength. The fact that where you are today is far from where you are called to be is a GOOD THING! It shows you that you have a long way to go and lots to do in the process. This should motivate you to not just enjoy your purpose, but also enjoy the journey of living it out. However, unfortunately, many believers see how far they are from their purpose and they get discouraged. Then satan comes in with thoughts like, “You will never get there… You are not good enough… You may have been called, but you have disqualified yourself… You are a failure… You are a loser…” and etc. If these thoughts go unchecked they will lead to fear, doubt and unbelief. If they go unchecked long enough they can lead to feelings of despair, discontentment and possibly even depression. Don’t let this be you. Don’t accept the negative thoughts from satan. You may have a long way to go, but that is a good thing. It means you are going to be on this planet for a while. Go! And as you go, God wants you to ENJOY every step of the way. In order to do so, you must learn to be content.
4. It’s okay to be unhappy with the poor decisions you have made. It’s okay to acknowledge that you could have been further along by now. But you can’t change the past. Don’t nurse or rehearse your failures. Don’t play them over and over again in your mind. The job of your feelings is to amplify your thoughts in emotion. If you think the wrong things you are going to feel terrible. If you think those things long enough you are going to get depressed. This is not the will of God. We have been studying Phil 4:11-13. But just before these verses the Apostle Paul told the believers what to fix their minds on. He had been through so much and he learned to be content along the way, because he thought the right thoughts. Paul said, “Dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Think on these things.” (Phil 4:8). If you think the right thoughts you will see yourself the right way, you will make the right decisions and perform the right actions. Living this way you can accept the mistakes you have made in the past without allowing your past to keep you from your future. Further, if you live this way, you will ENJOY THE JOURNEY and learn to fellowship with God every moment of every day.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I am content and satisfied with my life. You have called me to greatness. I have a long way to go. I am excited about the journey. And along the way I have learned to be content. I look in the mirror and I love what I see. I don’t see a person who is perfect. I know I have made more mistakes than I want to remember. But I see a person who is forgiven. I see a person who is called, appointed and anointed for such a time as this. I will arrive at Your overall expected end for my life. And I will enjoy the journey because I have learned to be content every day! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
