Philippians 4:10-13
Reflect
There are books, podcasts, blogs – an endless amount of opinions – that claim to know “the secret” to a happy and fulfilled life. In our passage today, the apostle Paul declares that he knows “the secret.” According to Paul, our circumstances don’t have as much impact on a happy, fulfilled life as we might imagine them to. It’s also not up to us to just think positively, as people in our culture suggest. No, Paul tells us that it is Christ in us who strengthens and equips us to be content regardless of our circumstances. But what might that look like in practice?
In 1 Samuel 30:6, when David is facing threats from his own men, we read that “David strengthened himself in the Lord.” Turn to Psalm 34 and Psalm 63 and make note of the actions that are listed. Observe how David draws close to God. He seeks the presence of God and stays in that moment until his heart is settled in God alone. This requires time and a regular practice of seeking God in His Word and in prayer. The fruit of this is being strengthened in the Lord, and a contentment that is not based on circumstances. What are the “all things” in your life where you need to know the strength of Christ at work in you? Ask Holy Spirit where He wants to strengthen you.
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Ministry Associate.