By Samuel Matthews
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah” (Psalm 68:19). KJV Loved ones, it has been observed that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With each mile behind us there remains less ahead and the shortened distance to our destination should motivate us to press on. Abraham is said to have “Looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrew 11:10). Like Abraham, those men and women of faith listed in Hebrews chapter eleven “all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). You and I are traveling the same road as our ancient predecessors. Our journey is not measured in miles, but it does demand maturity on the part of those who would successfully complete the trip. Here are some things to keep in mind. First, don’t get distracted. Jesus warns: “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). It is unfortunate that the devil has successfully “blinded the eyes of the unbelieving” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), so much so that the masses are not even aware of the existence of the inevitable destination to which they are travelling (Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8). There are many distractions used by the enemy to hindered us on my journey, perhaps even keeping us from our destination. There are many precious souls who are kept from reaching their spiritual destination because they are allowing Satan to deter them from the truly important. Some have taken a “side road” and entered the broad way to enjoy some pleasure for the moment. The “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:15-17) distracted them along the way and they ended up pursuing things temporal rather than things eternal. Second, don’t get discouraged. There are obstacles along the road to our heavenly home that, if permitted, could discourage us in the journey. TO NAME A FEW: 1. Sexual sins, especially lust. 2. Unforgiving hearts. 3. Telling lies. 4. Pride. 5. Causing divisions. 6. Covetousness. 7. Not contributing towards God’s work on earth. 8. Drunkenness. 9. Envy. 10. Jealousy. 11. Not honoring Sundays. 12. Evil imaginations. 13. Fear. 14. Worry. 15. Hatred. 16. Anger and Murder. 17. Not reading the Bible. 18. A prayer-less life. There are unforeseen circumstances that come along that would defeat us. The fact that we must struggle with ourselves (Galatians 5:16-17), may very well be the greatest obstacle we encounter along the way. Then there are people who discourage us. They may not do it intentionally, but an unkind word or a failure to uphold our hands in the work we are doing are things that often discourage us. When we do not see the fruits of our labors immediately, we tend to get discouraged in the work, often giving up in despair. If you find yourself discouraged along the journey, take your Bible, and read again those words from the Holy Spirit penned by the hand of Paul: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Again, “9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9). Third, let us be determined. One of our first United States presidents is credited with having said, “When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to it, meet it with firmness and accommodate everything to it in the best way practicable. This lessens the evil, while fretting and fuming only serves to increase your own torments.” Determination goes by various names: perseverance, persistence, tenacity, resolve, stick-to-itiveness. It means keeping one’s eye fixed steadfastly on a goal, and not stopping, no matter the discouragements, difficulties, or the obstacles, until that goal is achieved. Here, then, are three important keys to beginning, enduring, and completing our journey to heaven… don’t be distracted, don’t get discouraged, and be determined. The history of mankind is marked by a long list of nameless men and women who began the journey, who faced calamity and hardship, only to give up. In the words of the Psalmist, they “turned back” (Psalm 78:9). Christians must take the journey one step (one day) at a time (Matthew 6:24). Never forget that your sins have been forgiven (2 Peter 1:9). Never lose your love for heaven (Colossians 3:1-4). The benefits of determination and the reward for successfully completing the journey far outweigh the alternative (Revelation 2:10; 14:13; 22:14-15). REMEMBER: With each passing day behind us there remains one less day ahead of us, and the shortened distance to our destination should motivate us to press on. To the God of heaven be the Glory as His Will is done (1 Corinthians 10:31). Please pray for wisdom, for me and my wife, Cynthia, and the Liberty NW church of Christ meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. We are praying for you, and we love you all so much. Samuel.
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Philippians 4:10-13
1. T or F The school of “hard knocks” can help us build fortitude. 2. T or F Our contentment in life depends upon our attitude.wise up Paul found that the circumstances of life can be cruel even to Christians. If we think the apostles had it easier than we do, we should think again. Yet, despite their adversity, they learned to have fortitude and contentment. (I Timothy 6:6.) We can be inspired by their example and we can learn what they learned. I. I have learned. . . Vs. 10-11 1. In verse 10, Paul expressed appreciation for the care (financial support) of his brethren which was flourishing again. Evidently their support had fallen off, not because they did not love Paul or support his work but because they “lacked opportunity.” Sometimes we may feel that others have abandoned us in our time of need. We may have expected them to be there for us or to encourage and support but they let us down. It is easy to become bitter or to be hurt. But we must be careful not to judge harshly. They may not have helped us because they lacked opportunity. What about us, are there times when we may have appeared to be negligent and perhaps disappointed someone when actually we really never had an opportunity to help? Discuss. 2. In verse 11, Paul said he had learned to be content regardless of his circumstances. Is that something that must be “self taught?” Discuss why some are never content regardless of how much money or things they have while others may seem to have very little material possessions, yet be extremely happy. Why is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence to many people? What must we do if we want to be content? Does gratitude play a part in our contentment? What about optimism? Looking back over Phil. 4:4-9 discuss how Praise (Vs. 4), Prayer (Vs. 6), and Pondering positive things (Vs.8-9) can help bring a sense of contentment into our lives. II. I know how. . . Vs. 12 1. Paul said that he knew “how…” to both be abased and to abound. He had evidently been at both the top and bottom rungs of the ladder. He knew how to be full and how to be hungry. He had experience having more than he needed and he had experienced the pain and suffering of being in need. 2. Notice that Paul never says that abounding is better than being abased or humbled. We may think like that but Paul learned not to make such comparisons. Instead he chose to be content and see that every “half empty glass” was also “half full.” In fact, he said that he was “instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” He was realistic in that he could see both the good and the bad and refused to focus on just one. To focus only on the good and never see the bad in life can make one naive and gullible. To focus only on the bad and never see the good in life can make one negative and cynical. 3. Discuss some ways that we might experience adversity and abundance at the same time in our lives. For example: When we experience emotional lows are there physical blessings (such as our health, our children, etc.) that we are abounding in? Many can look back to the early years of their marriage and remember living in small apartments with used furnishings and small paychecks. But they remember being happy because of the “abundance” of love they had one for another. Many can remember lean times when they struggled to pay the light bills month after month. With small children at their feet they should have been bitter during such times. But those were happy days full of emotional fulfillment and joy. because their children’s eyes would twinkle when Daddy came home from work. The abundance of hugs and kisses by those small children made up for anything lacking financially in life. Obviously, our “abundance” in life often has nothing to do with money. 4. List some negatives in life when we might feel that we are being debased or humiliated and then find something in each of the circumstances listed that one could look for that would be considered a blessing or an abundance. III. I can do all things. . . Vs. 13 1. In the end, after all the comparisons are made and we have looked for the positives in the midst of negative things, and we have drawn on all our resources… we can learn to be content and we can press on with fortitude “through Christ which strengthens us.” Paul recognized that the power or strength needed to accomplish with dignity and grace “anything in life” comes through Jesus. How important is it to know that we are not alone in our struggles? 2. How many times do we ignore that lesson from Paul when it comes to our own problems and issues in life. Do we find ourselves trying to climb every mountain in life with our own fortitude and strength? Discuss some problems and issues in life where many will actually turn away from Christ rather than to him for help and strength? Why does that happen? 3. List some circumstances when it would be helpful to quote verse 13 to yourself. What are some ways that Christ strengthens us? 1. Paul was humble enough to acknowledge that any thing he was able to accomplish would be because of the strength and help he received from the Lord Jesus. Are we humble enough to accept that source of lasting strength in our lives? Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
There are a number of lessons contained in these two short verses. If you are like me, I read a passage like this and begin thinking of other passages that teach parallel lessons, or amplify the thoughts of this passage. Worry, or not to worry, that is the question. Paul says, “Don’t worry”. Do we accomplish this? Probably not as well as we should. We all “worry” from time-to-time about various things; children, health issues, work, etc. The problem is that we worry about things over which we have no control. A good example of this is the recent election. Many are wringing their hand, losing sleep, and protesting the results based on some concerns about what they think will happen over the next four years. At the same time, many are excited about the results and looking forward to good things for the country. The point is, neither side knows what will happen over the next four years, and furthermore, all of the agonizing or rejoicing will have little, if any, impact on the outcome. Paul is telling us not to be anxious about the things over which we have no control. There is a passage in Psalm 118:24 that I believe illustrates this principle; this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. I tend to think that the psalmist did not know how the day would end, but because it was the day the Lord has made, he was going to rejoice and be glad in it. He was not going to worry about things over which he had no control; things which might or might not happen. Each day the sun comes up is the day the Lord has made. Instead of fretting about what might or might not happen, we need to enjoy the fact that God has granted us another day of life on this earth, that he has provided all things that pertain to life and godliness (Matthew 6:33-34; 2 Peter 1:3), and has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The Psalmist was just glad to be alive; we should rejoice in the fact that God has granted us life. Paul not only tells us what not to do, but gives us instruction about how to accomplish his instructions to be anxious for nothing. The solution is to recognize the sovereignty of God and His control over all of His creation. As Christians, we have the privilege of coming boldly to the throne of grace in prayer to present our concerns and petitions before Him (Hebrews 4:16). By doing this, we can find mercy and grace to help in time of need that will help us overcome our tendency to worry about things over which we have no control. There is a key to successful prayers and supplications. The key is that they are offered to God with thanksgiving. Are we as grateful to God as we should be for all of the things He does for us? Paul gives the solution to the problem of worry but reminds us of our responsibility to always be mindful of all God does for us, and be thankful. The problem is worry and the solution is to utilize the avenue of prayer that has been made available to us to get us through good times and tough times, always thankful for God’s blessings. As Paul Harvey would say, “And now the rest of the story”. The rest of the story is that our prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving results in the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We live in a world where we have little control over the things that go on around us. It is comforting that in spite of the things we cannot control, we can have peace and safety in God, knowing that He loves and cares for us. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. James points out that our life is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14). We can make plans for tomorrow, next week, next year, but the reality is that we do not know what tomorrow will bring and we have little or no control over what happens. Be anxious for nothing is not something that comes naturally, or is easy to achieve. But the point of Paul’s instruction to the Philippians is that we can develop that ability. Paul says he had learned to be content (Philippians 4:11); we can learn to be anxious for nothing. Kerry Arnold |
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