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Teaching God's Word to God's People |
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Welcome to Church Focus Ministries
Equipping, Encouraging, and Educating
God’s People by Providing Resources that are Uncompromisingly True to God’s Word
Church Focus Ministries is your trusted source for biblically sound materials
Special devotional study . . .
5 Reasons why Jesus was the Perfect Sacrifice
Available March 8
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Available March 9
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Available March 10
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March's Encouraging Word
Come on, you can do this . .
Some Days, I Feel Like a Work in Progress
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. ~Philippians 4:12
I often stand amazed at the transparency of the Apostle Paul as he pens Scripture (obviously under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit). He, like me, candidly admits that God is still working on him.
We often judge ourselves by actual things we acquire or accomplishments we have attained. We incorrectly may think that our “stuff" is what makes us significant. We allow our things to become our trophies, and our worth becomes our warrant.
Sometimes we incorrectly believe that "having the best" is more important than "being the best." We must not believe that "doing the most" is better than "doing the best." Usually, one becomes devoted to something after experiencing its enjoyment.
The Apostle Paul was highly esteemed and well educated for the time and day in which he lived. He learned from an elite religious tradition and became the "best of the best." (Philippians 3:5). He was a teacher, a leader, and a mentor. Probably, no one else understood the law as well as he did. No doubt, he was a very well-known religious leader in his day and among people and his peers.
However, he struggled with finding contentment along the way. Paul needed to learn how to be satisfied. He wrote to the Christians in Philippi, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11).
Being at ease and living life content is a trait that comes from Christ. We can only be happy when we learn to give, which is one of the great paradoxes of Scripture. After all, accomplishments we attain do not necessarily signal success for the saint of God.
Learning how to be Abased and be brought low
Paul knew what it was like to be empty. “Abased” is in the present tense, which means he knew what it was like to be in a state of degradation. He knew God’s thoughts on how to handle adversity. He knew how to cope with setbacks. The word “abased” means to run low like a falling river in a drought. Paul knew what it was like to be shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, or kicked out of town. Paul was rejoicing, knowing that he could do all things through Christ, who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13). We would all do well to remember that we can get through anything with the One who makes us who we are, no matter what we have or where we are.
Learning how to Abound and be lifted up
Paul knew what it meant to be full. The word “abound” means overflow. At times it conveyed the idea of extreme wealth or abundance. It means to be highly successful. It requires as much spiritual maturity to handle abundance as to handle poverty. It takes a steady hand to carry a full cup. Paul acknowledged that being satisfied in sufficiency was equally essential as in scarcity. We are not to find happiness merely in what we have, but with where it comes from. The psalmist says, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1).
Learning how to Applaud and Appreciate
Paul knew how to be thankful. First, he was happy about the Giver, who was the ultimate source of the gift, and then about the gift (money while he was in the Roman jail). Paul was happy that people were giving, "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.” Philippians 4:10. We should be thankful for both what we want and what we have. Paul told another group of followers, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Being grateful all the time is a test of our faith.
Are you empty (“abased”)? Are you full (“abounding”)? Are you thankful (“applauding”) no matter where you are or what you have? The first step in the cure is to rest and rejoice, knowing that God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).
Don't let your possessions, your position, or your pleasures define you. Let God define you by His provision, presence, and power.
Come on, you can do this . . .
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. ~Philippians 4:12
I often stand amazed at the transparency of the Apostle Paul as he pens Scripture (obviously under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit). He, like me, candidly admits that God is still working on him.
We often judge ourselves by actual things we acquire or accomplishments we have attained. We incorrectly may think that our “stuff" is what makes us significant. We allow our things to become our trophies, and our worth becomes our warrant.
Sometimes we incorrectly believe that "having the best" is more important than "being the best." We must not believe that "doing the most" is better than "doing the best." Usually, one becomes devoted to something after experiencing its enjoyment.
The Apostle Paul was highly esteemed and well educated for the time and day in which he lived. He learned from an elite religious tradition and became the "best of the best." (Philippians 3:5). He was a teacher, a leader, and a mentor. Probably, no one else understood the law as well as he did. No doubt, he was a very well-known religious leader in his day and among people and his peers.
However, he struggled with finding contentment along the way. Paul needed to learn how to be satisfied. He wrote to the Christians in Philippi, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11).
Being at ease and living life content is a trait that comes from Christ. We can only be happy when we learn to give, which is one of the great paradoxes of Scripture. After all, accomplishments we attain do not necessarily signal success for the saint of God.
Learning how to be Abased and be brought low
Paul knew what it was like to be empty. “Abased” is in the present tense, which means he knew what it was like to be in a state of degradation. He knew God’s thoughts on how to handle adversity. He knew how to cope with setbacks. The word “abased” means to run low like a falling river in a drought. Paul knew what it was like to be shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, or kicked out of town. Paul was rejoicing, knowing that he could do all things through Christ, who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13). We would all do well to remember that we can get through anything with the One who makes us who we are, no matter what we have or where we are.
Learning how to Abound and be lifted up
Paul knew what it meant to be full. The word “abound” means overflow. At times it conveyed the idea of extreme wealth or abundance. It means to be highly successful. It requires as much spiritual maturity to handle abundance as to handle poverty. It takes a steady hand to carry a full cup. Paul acknowledged that being satisfied in sufficiency was equally essential as in scarcity. We are not to find happiness merely in what we have, but with where it comes from. The psalmist says, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1).
Learning how to Applaud and Appreciate
Paul knew how to be thankful. First, he was happy about the Giver, who was the ultimate source of the gift, and then about the gift (money while he was in the Roman jail). Paul was happy that people were giving, "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.” Philippians 4:10. We should be thankful for both what we want and what we have. Paul told another group of followers, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Being grateful all the time is a test of our faith.
Are you empty (“abased”)? Are you full (“abounding”)? Are you thankful (“applauding”) no matter where you are or what you have? The first step in the cure is to rest and rejoice, knowing that God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).
Don't let your possessions, your position, or your pleasures define you. Let God define you by His provision, presence, and power.
Come on, you can do this . . .
Current Events . . .
Daily news feed of items concerning the Christian community. Pray as you read these articles, and then trust for God's will in each story.
