WEEK SIX
Day Three
DAILY SCRIPTURE
Philippians 4:12
LEADER GUIDE QUESTIONS
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Know: Read Philippians 4:10-13
Note: Read slowly, carefully marking keywords.
Content, Christ, Strength
Observation:
At what point did Paul discover contentment?
Who is Paul’s strength?
What: Have you ever been in a hard place? Have you learned to recognize that it is Christ who is your source and your strength?
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:10-13
Years ago, my husband, my three-year-old, and my four-month-old packed up and moved to North Carolina for a season of life we now call “Life 101.” My husband and I found a newly built apartment complex close to the church we would attend while he drove to work across town. The idea was that I would be close enough to church that once relationships were established, I could visit with other moms while he took our only vehicle to work. His job was not high-paying, but we were determined to trust God in that season of parenting, where I would stay home to be with the kids. The first few weeks were pleasant as I focused on unpacking and setting up our home. After a while, frustration began to creep in because I could not do much. We were one of the first residents in the complex in an undeveloped area of town. The grocery store was too far to walk with two kids in tow and no playgrounds within walking distance. We had no money for extras - meals had to be creatively planned on our very low budget. I was starving for friendship but had not made many friends who understood our financial situation- for the most part, families had the income they needed not to think about where the next meal would come from. This was a breeding ground for discontent. In this place, I dug deep and learned the art of contentment.
I learned to keep the prize ever before me- the award of raising my kids and holding them close. My motto was, “Make my home heaven on earth.” I learned to make bread from scratch, learned how to take the most inexpensive food and turn it into a gourmet meal (to this day, my kids still ask me to make them lentil soup), I learned to garden, to craft with my kids, taught them the wonder of books and imaginative play. We learned how to trust God with nothing and allow Him to use people to bless us. Sometimes, we had no money for Christmas, and out of the blue, someone would show up on our doorstep with an envelope of cash to get our kids toys for the holidays. Friends, as I developed them, would sweetly come over to my humble home and create memories with us or pick my children up for a play date so that I could rest while I was sick with my third child. The memories are extensive- sweet memories of the goodness of God. At the time, I would rather have had the money to alleviate stress, but in hindsight, I would never have traded those years for any amount of money.
Paul has taken a turn in his closing remarks. He has a momentary flashback of his past struggles paired with the memory of God’s faithfulness and the hindsight of character established through every one of those difficult moments. In his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote of his work being harder than any of the other apostles. In Colossians, he spoke of an energy that Jesus inspired in him. Paul contributed more to the church than any other disciple in his comparatively short time in ministry. He suffered unimaginable abuse, faced more dangers than most people in that day, was imprisoned numerous times, and almost died multiple times. Paul was like Superman. His testimony rings through history today, “I have strength for everything in the one who gives me power.”
When Ephaphroditus came into town looking for him, it was another testimony of God’s provision. Bringing news of the Philippians along with a substantial financial offering and their love- grateful to him for bringing the gospel to them, Paul burst into heartfelt gratefulness to the church. Like Summer showers after a long drought, Paul grew further confident in God’s provision. He was like a proud father, and the Philippians had learned to listen to God and, in turn, had taken care of the needs of a man whom they could have easily overlooked.
Sometimes, we face trouble from outside sources. When they inundate us, what do we do? Do we get into worry and fear, or do we pray about it?
There are times when internal trouble arises. We get disgruntled or begin to nurture offense, and suddenly, we are no longer at peace. Do we begin to accuse and fight, not taking an internal gauge of our motives? This is what causes friendships to collapse.
Paul never sat in prison, blaming anyone for being there or for not taking care of him. He learned to be at peace, to live contended, and to worship God—this strengthened him.
Learn to worship and to pray when you are in turmoil within. Don’t give the enemy a foothold by becoming disgruntled and accusing others of things you are going through within your own heart that you have not sorted out. Learn to allow your Heavenly Father to sort those out for you so that you will mature. In everything, give praise!