Thank you for reading the blog today. I am happy to be able to post the message. Something strange happened with the blog yesterday. I thought I was going to have to delete it because it was messed up. However, things are corrected now. Thanks be to God. I really enjoy posting on here. I've been doing this for almost 15 years. I hope that you get something out of the messages and the verses as well as the other things that I post.
Today, we are once again studying the book of Philippians. We will have a message from Philippians today, and then, Lord willing, I will wrap things up next week. After that, I will probably have a couple of topical messages before we start a new series that I have planned.
Last week, we focused on what our thoughts should be on. We should take into our minds and hearts only that which is edifying and uplifting. We should not set our focus on the things of this world, but we should set our hearts, minds and thoughts on the things that are above.
In our section for today, Paul draws his readers' attention to something that is important for all of us. In verse 11 he tells us that he has learned to be satisfied with the things that he has. That is something that I am learning and trying to do. Whether rich or poor or whatever state, I need to thank the Lord for the things that He has given to me.
Paul faced it all in his life. He started out as a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He was a highly respected person, and I am sure that he had plenty of money. However, as he went about preaching the message of the Lord Jesus after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul faced persecution of high magnitude. He knew what deprivation was. But he did it because he loved the Lord.
I haven't faced the things that Paul faced. I have had ups and downs though. All of us have. I went through some really hard financial and emotional times after my parents passed on. I pretty much lost all my savings during the Great Recession. Through it all, I had enough to get by. I thank the Lord for that.
Paul knew that he could get through anything with the strength given to him by the Lord Jesus. When Jesus is with us, we can make it through. I know this from my own life. When I faced the hard time with my mother in the hospital for over a month, it was the Lord who gave me the ability to help my dad and get my mother back home. When I faced financial struggles and health struggles, the Lord was with me helping me to overcome and to make it through. Knowing His presence gives us strength to meet the challenges of each day. We can rely on Him, and He is our peace. He will never leave us, and He will never forsake us.
In order to help us make it through the problems we face, the Lord has given us our fellow believers. We are to encourage one another and help one another in the best way that we are able. Also, the Lord often sends helpers to us at the right time. That is what happened when the Lord sent me my friend Toby.
Our duty is to serve the Lord with all that we have within us. He will be with us. When hard times or good times come, we can keep going and serving the Lord because He is the one who is strengthening us and ordering our steps.
If you know the Lord Jesus, you understand what I am trying to say. If you have never come to have a relationship with the Lord, I invite you to give your life to Him today. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please pray that I will be able to get my house fixed. Also, pray that I can find out what is troubling me with my health. Thank you.
Pray for people to get along with one another here in the United States. It is a difficult time.
Remember to pray for peace. Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Sudan and Haiti all need our prayers. Also, remember to pray for refugees around the world.
Let us pray for those in Congo dealing with the ebola outbreak. Pray that this will end.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Ivory Coast and Brunei. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will conclude Philippians. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all.
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