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Thursday,
February 26, 2009
Inside Out
Philippians 4:10-13 But I rejoiced in the
Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again;
wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. (11) Not that I
speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content. (12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how
to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (13) I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)
Independent of external circumstances is
what the word content means, someone who doesn’t let outward things dictate
the inward, but rather the inward dictates the outward response and result.
Are you a person that has learned to be content, allowing the peace of God
to rule in your life, or are you constantly looking for something in the
outward fallen realm to satisfy, or you think can satisfy a spiritual need?
Paul learned to be content, it wasn’t something that just happened over
night but it became a way of life for him, an example each and every
believer can learn from. Paul knew that His strength was in Christ; the
inner man working in him is the same one working in you also so that you
can learn to be content with who you are in Christ, looking more to the
inward and less to the outward. So how do you judge your life? Is it by a
job, possessions, houses, cars, or do you judge things by your inward,
growing stronger in the Lord on a daily basis learning to hear the Word of
God and trust more in Him? Greater is the life of God within me than
anything or anyone that is still in this fallen world. So don’t be taken in
by the cheap imitations of the enemy, but rather seek first the kingdom of
God and what He is asking of you this day, then all that is needed will be
provided as He promised.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach
otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (4) He
is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words,
whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5) Perverse
disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing
that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (KJV)
What man considers important and what God
says is wholesome is as different as night and day, because while many
still chase after the things of this life thinking it will bring them peace,
the doctrine of Christ clearly enlightens us to the things of the inward
man, the things that are eternal and not temporal. Without a wholesome diet
many become sick and weakly, frail and ready to perish because of a lack of
proper nourishment in the Word of God. Temporal things can only provide a
temporary answer while those that seek Spiritual things and make it their
priority will find their eternal answer and strength that will allow them
to endure to the end.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with
contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and
it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let
us be therewith content. (KJV)
What do you think of when you think about
making great gain or as some refer, making great strides in their walk? A
leap of faith is another phrase that comes to mind. Some would think
starting a church would impress God or spending days and weeks studying the
Bible would cause one to make great gain in their walk. How about something
so simple as learning to be content, content with the fact that today I
have salvation, today right now my name is written in the Lamb’s book of
life and knowing that nothing else really matters. Have you forgot how you
entered this world wearing nothing more than a smile, and how you are going
to depart this world with nothing more than you came in with? Yet with all
this in mind, is all the fussing and fighting over worldly things really
worth the time and effort when all the Lord is asking of us is to fight the
good fight of faith? I personally have never seen or heard of a child born
with a U-haul trailer, which holds true for the hearse as well when we
leave. With that in mind have you learned to be content? Have you taken the
time to thank God for the food and raiment He has provided for you today,
or are you like the children of Israel already out and about gathering
manna for tomorrow? I will give you a hint; if you wish to be content then
the first food and raiment you will be seeking on a daily basis will
involve more of the spiritual and less of the physical. When one trains
themselves in the things of the Lord they are able to learn to be content
with who they are in Christ and where He has placed them in the body of
believers.
Williams New Testament translation
for James 4:13-15
13. Come now, you who say, "Today or
tomorrow we are going to such and such a city and stay a year, go into
business and make money," 14. although you do not have the slightest
knowledge of tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? It is really nothing but a mist which
appears for a little while and then disappears. 15. Instead, you ought to
say, "If the Lord is willing, we shall live and do this or that."
Have you forgotten how long we are going
to be here in this realm, on this planet as compared to eternity? How about
the fact that we are just passing through this world and should not get so
entangled in the affairs of this life? Next time you spray something into
the air, think of your life and how short it really is, and how if it ended
right now it would seem like just a moment. Now for a moment stop and ask
yourself honestly, have I really learned to be content or do I still
overlook some of the simple things in the Word of God that would make my
walk so much simpler?
Williams New Testament translation
Hebrews 13:5-6
5. You must have a turn of mind that is
free from avarice; you must be content with what you have, for God Himself
has said, "I will never fail you, I will never forsake you." 6. So
we can confidently say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not be
afraid. What can men do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conversation be
without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he
hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (6) So that we may
boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do
unto me. (KJV)
You know why you no longer fear what man
does? Because you are not looking to the outward to find peace and
contentment with God, but rather looking inwardly, and letting that peace
rule. Who really has the final say in your decisions, God or man? So rather than letting outward situations
and circumstances dictate your walk turn your attention to the inward so
that you won’t be left out of God’s realm and plan of salvation He has for
you.
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