Philippians 4:11, 13

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content

whatever the circumstances . . .  I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

I was first introduced to this verse as a new Christian while I was involved in a Single’s Ministry at my church. I worked on the newsletter and needed a verse to express the article being written. I found this verse and asked the Associate Pastor if this suited the article. Many in that group had been divorced or widowed, and learning to be content took patience and trust. Since that time, I’ve found this verse to be true and able to do just what it says.

Paul wrote this while in prison. A difficult place to be content. Contentment is not automatic, nor is it a natural attitude. It is a learned skill.

Godsbless.ing: “This verse emphasizes that through our faith in Christ, we can draw upon His strength to help us navigate challenges and difficulties with a sense of inner peace and fulfillment. It encourages us to rely on our connection with Christ as a source of strength and comfort, enabling us to find contentment even when things may not be going as we had hoped or planned.”

This doesn’t come easy, especially to new believers. We go through many trials and situations before we learn that God can guide us through all things. Our ability to be content slowly builds as we watch what God can do each time.

As we learn to be content, we soon learn we can get through anything because of our faith in God. We may still hurt, or be disappointed, or angry at what we’re going through, but we know God will get us through it. It brings a high level of comfort and hope as we work our way through each circumstance.

Godsbless.ing continues: "This verse reminds us that contentment is a state of mind and heart that can be cultivated regardless of external situations. It encourages us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, allowing gratitude to fill our hearts . . . Furthermore, the verse teaches us the importance of relying on our inner strength rather than external factors for contentment. It highlights the power of faith and trust in God’s provision, reminding us that we have the ability to overcome adversity through the strength that comes from within."

This is a good verse to memorize so we can draw upon it when life brings about unwelcome situations. We will get through. That hope keeps us moving forward and feeling confident. You really can be content through all circumstances if you believe God is able.

By His Grace . . . 

Philemon 1:4-7

 

Picture from 'In The Garden of Faith, Hope and Love" Facebook page.

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

Refreshing hearts. Paul was acknowledging the good things Philemon had done for himself and other believers.

This Scripture verse reminds me of Proverbs 11:25 which says: “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Refreshing others. Serving for the good of other believers. Helping your brothers and sisters when needed.

Godsbless.ing says: “This passage begins with the Apostle Paul expressing his gratitude to God as he remembers Philemon in his prayers. Paul commends Philemon for his love towards all the saints and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This emphasis on love and faith serves as a reminder of the foundational values of Christianity – to love God and love others. This highlights the importance of living out one’s faith in tangible ways through acts of love and compassion towards fellow believers.”

We are to be grateful for the service of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We each have the ability to help those in the family of God when there is a need.

I love the thought of “refreshing hearts.” What does “refresh” mean? To restore strength; to freshen up; to stimulate. We all need to be refreshed during our walk through life. Being refreshed keeps us going. It keeps us from falling during hard times. It encourages our hearts to continue down the road of faith. It inspires us to be the best we can be.

Some have the gift to encourage as stated in Romans 12:8: “If it is to encourage, then give encouragement.” Yet all of us have the ability to refresh others because of the love given us by Jesus. Sharing that love can change hearts and restores energy and strength.

Be a Philemon. Be the one who makes a difference in the lives of others. “Philemon’s actions brought joy and encouragement to Paul and others, underscoring the importance of being a source of encouragement and refreshment to fellow Christians. This serves as a reminder for us to consider the influence we have on those around us and to strive to uplift and support one another in our faith journeys.” Godsbless.ing

Refresh your brothers and sisters. Be known as a “Philemon.” This name means “to love” and “community among believers,” urging them to act with compassion and understanding. When you refresh others, you will be refreshed too.

By His Grace . . . 

Psalm 119:49-50

“Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope.

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”

God’s Hope and God’s promises are precious gifts. He gives them freely, encouraging and inspiring us to live for Him. Hope and promises are all through the Bible. It’s a gift that can’t be lost.

“Biblical Hope is not mere wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation about the future based on the character of God and His promises.” Tony Evans

I love to read Psalm 119. It is full of practical information about the Word of God to help each believer. It touches every area of God’s Word: blessings, comfort, strength, commitment, instruction, hope, obedience, discipline, trust, faithfulness, security, preciousness, illumination, reverence, value, wonder, righteousness, truthfulness, deliverance, joy and praise.

That’s quite a rainbow of instruction in this psalm, the longest Psalm in the Bible. Although it is not hard to read, it does take time to sit down and enjoy what it says, and understand all God’s Word does for us. I find it delightful, inspiring and fulfilling.

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: “All the hope which I have has been excited by Thy Word; Thy promises. I have no other source of hope; I cherish no other hope. I pray now, since that hope has been thus excited in me, that I may realize all I have been led to desire and to expect. The Word of God is the only foundation of hope for people; and when our hopes are fairly built on that, we have a right to appeal to God that He will make it good.”

Warren Weirsbe: “The emphasis in this, the longest psalm, is on the vital ministry of the Word of God in the inner spiritual life of God’s children.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: “Those that make God's promises their portion, may with humble boldness make them their plea. He that by His Spirit works faith in us, will work for us. The Word of God speaks comfort in affliction. If, through grace, it makes us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions.”

There are so many reasons to read the Psalm 119. Its beauty encapsulates the essence of finding solace in God’s promises.

The psalmist’s plea in verse 49, “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have given me hope,” encapsulates a deep desire for God to uphold His promises, which serve as a beacon of hope.

We have it all. God’s Hope. God’s promises. Let’s praise our loving and faithful God!

By His Grace . . . 

John 17:20-23

 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.”

Jesus prays for each one of us. His words “I pray for those who will believe in Me” is for every believer that has accepted Jesus as His Savior and lives for Almighty God.

Knowing that helps us get through everything that happens, sometimes with tears; sometimes with joy. Jesus continues to pray for us at all times, in every situation and for every need. Remembering that Jesus prays for us also brings added relief and calm.

As believers we can pray for other believers and those who have not given their hearts to Jesus. Our prayers matter. God hears when we pray, and He wants us to pray

On Enduringword.com, David Guzik wrote: "Jesus prayed for His disciples, but He also had the heart and the vision to pray beyond them. He prayed for those who would come to faith by the testimony of these disciples. He prayed for us . . . He knew His intercession for the disciples would prevail. He knows His intercession for us will prevail. Then let us rest in Him, with the rest of loving obedience and of surest confidence.”

Hebrew 7:25

“Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Godsbless.ing: "This verse speaks to the powerful role of Jesus as our ultimate mediator and advocate before God. When we come to God through Jesus, He intercedes on our behalf, standing in the gap for us. This means that Jesus pleads for us, presents our needs and requests to God, and ultimately ensures that we are in a right relationship with Him . . . We can marvel at the depth of Jesus’ love and commitment to us as believers . . . Jesus is constantly advocating for us and working on our behalf as we navigate challenges and seek God’s presence. This verse encourages us to deepen our faith in Jesus as our mediator and to approach God with confidence and trust in His saving power."

“I pray also for those who will believe in Me” is a hope-filled verse to remember. Blessed are we to have a Savior who continually holds each one of us before our God.

By His Grace . . . 

2 Chronicles 20:15-17

"He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

This chapter tells of one of my favorite battle scenes in the Bible. It tells an amazing story of the Lord’s deliverance of His people.

Enemies prepared to attack them by sneaking around Judah and Jerusalem. By the time Jehoshaphat, the king, and his people discovered this plot to attack, it was too late to muster the troops. In his alarm, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord and called for a fast among all of Judah. The people came together to seek the Lord and then Jehoshaphat stood up and prayed. Verse 13 tells us: “All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood before the LORD.”

Standing before the LORD. When we are in need, most of the time, we knee before the LORD. “Standing before the LORD" encompasses a range of meanings from service and worship to judgment and intercession. It reflects a position of honor and responsibility, requiring those who stand before God to do so with reverence, faithfulness, and integrity.

In the Old Testament, “Standing before the LORD” is associated with intercession and prayer.  In the New Testament, “Standing before the LORD” implies a life of holiness, readiness, and accountability. It calls for a heart that is pure and a life that is aligned with God's will. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner worthy of their calling, as they are continually in the presence of God, who sees and knows all.

A powerful moment unfolds as they stood and prayed. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon one of their own, Jahaziel, a Levite from the family of Asaph, who stands in the midst of the assembly. Jahaziel speaks with authority, declaring that the battle is not theirs but the Lord’s. He encourages them not to be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will be with them.

The presence of God is palpable as Jahaziel delivers the message of hope and assurance, reminding them that victory belongs to the Lord. This pivotal moment sets the stage for a miraculous turn of events as God’s people prepare to face their enemies with newfound courage and trust in the Lord.

In verse 17 God tells the people, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”

This story encourages us to find peace and strength in knowing that we do not have to face life’s challenges alone. It reminds us that God is with us, fighting our battles on our behalf. This verse offers reassurance that we can rely on God to provide us with the guidance and support we need to overcome any obstacles we may encounter in moments of fear or discouragement.

God gave them the victory. And God will give us victory as we trust Him and seek His will. The next time you need God’s assurance and direction, stand before your God and watch what He does for you.

“All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood before the LORD.”

By His Grace . . .