Do you ever feel like God has forgiven you but you can't forgive yourself?
Why do you feel such condemnation?
Don't mistake the conviction of the Holy Spirit with the accusations of the devil, and if you can't tell the difference, you are in one viscious, hopeless cycle. Condemnation can destroy you.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
What's the Secret?
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13
Our dialogue reminded me of how many people live in a perpetual state of hunger for more. “If I could just get more . . . ” I wonder how many people are going to have to drive over the money-doesn’t-make-you-happy cliff before they figure out this truth.
Contentment is where the real satisfaction comes from.
Content in whom I’m with. “I wish my wife was a little more . . .” “If my husband would just change . . .” Sure, you can focus on your spouse’s shortcomings and stay miserable if you want, or you can choose to concentrate on the good. Read Philippians 4:8 to discover the joy.
Content in whose you are. Listen to this promise in Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
You may say, “I can do a couple of those, but I don’t think I can ever be content in all those areas, all the time.”
Do you want to know how you can be content? Before he closes his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul lets us in on a huge secret. “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need, [here’s the secret] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Philippians 4:12-13). Through Christ! That’s the Christian life-it’s Jesus living His life through me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)