Be Content in Christ
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 4:10-23. We see in Paul’s letter to the Philippians that Paul was rejoicing because the Philippians cared for him. What did Paul mean when he said they lacked opportunity? The Philippians lost touch with Paul for two years, while he was in prison. They didn’t know where he was. Once they heard that Paul was in prison in Rome they reconnected with him.
Paul says he learned that whatever state he was in to be content. Paul knew what it meant to be full and he knew how it felt to be hungry. He had times in his life of having plenty and times of lack. He learned through it all to be content in Christ.
This is a lesson we all need to learn from Paul. It is easy to be content when things are going right in our lives. It is much harder to be content when life is difficult. We need to learn to trust God enough to be content no matter what our circumstances are.
Sometimes God puts us in difficult circumstances so we can learn to trust Him more. If life was always easy we would think we could do everything on our own. Sometimes it is in the difficult times that we learn to be dependent on God. We learn not to do things in our own strength. We learn that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.
Two of my favorite verses are in this passage. The first one is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This is a verse that has given me strength from time to time in my life. I have quoted it over and over in difficult times and it has strengthened me to endure the battles of this life.
The next one is Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” This verse I have claimed during times of doubt and concern about the future and it has comforted me and calmed my spirit knowing I could trust God to supply all of my needs.
Paul thanks the Philippians for their support of his ministry. The Philippians were the only ones who supported Paul financially in the beginning of his ministry. Paul was thankful that the Philippians cared for him. He was also happy that they were going to be blessed because of their fruitful giving to God’s work.
Paul thanks the Philippians for the offerings that they sent to him by Epaphroditus. He says it was well pleasing to God. Paul trusted God to supply all his needs. Paul also trusted God to supply the needs of the Philippians according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Paul gave God the glory for everything.
Paul closes this letter by sending a salutation to every saint. He wanted to acknowledge them all and thank them for everything they did for him. Paul tells the Philippians that all the brethren and saints with him salute them also, especially those of the house of Caesar. Paul ends the letter by saying, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Daily Bible Reading:
Philippians 4:10-23
10 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.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [[[The following was added by editors of the KJV: To the Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus.]]]
Things to think about:
- In what ways do you depend on God to meet your needs?
- In what ways do you lean on God for strength?
- In what ways have you become content in Christ?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Philippians. We see that Paul says he has learned to be content with his life no matter the circumstances. Help us to be content in Christ. Paul was thankful for the Philippians and their contribution to his ministry. Help us to be thankful for the people You bring into our lives to help support us and lift us up to You in prayer. Paul trusted You to supply all of his needs. Help us to have the same kind of faith and trust in You as Paul did. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
Featured Book:
The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Philippians by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Philippians is from the New Testament of the Bible and is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In the book of Philippians Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to be strong in their faith, to stand fast in the Lord, and to be content in Christ.
Paul loved the Philippians and it shows in his writing to them. Paul knew that they loved him as well. The Philippians showed their love for Paul by supporting his ministry.
Paul would never forget the Philippians because of the way they cared for him when he ministered to them. They would always have a special place in his heart.
Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. He wanted to make sure they never let anybody steer them in the wrong direction. He wanted them to stay on course and do the things he had taught them whether he was with them or not.
The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This is a great Bible study for individual daily devotions or for a group Bible study.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Deborah
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