
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is probably myself thinking out loud and serves as a reminder, but if its also edifying to others then praise God for Him using me in helping anyone who might be also having these thoughts.
Joel 2:28–29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
The above verse(s) in context speaks of visions/prophesy concerning the day of the LORD that great and terrible day. That being said we know God also shows us things concerning ourselves and others. The Bible is God’s word and teaches is how He wants us to live, treat others and worship and praise Him. It (the Bible) also teaches us how to avoid sin and more importantly how we can be reconciled back to God.
And that’s through the Lord Jesus only. But my thought today is the issue of sin. The Apostle Paul speaks in the book of Philippians this well-known portion, for the sake of this portion I’m going to capitalize the words I would like to more closely expound upon.
Philippians 4:11–13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in WHATSOEVER state I am, therewith to be CONTENT. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
From God’s word we know that our Father chastens (disciplines) those He loves, a person who’s an unbeliever wouldn’t understand this, the reaction from one such person would mention something like “If God is so loving why would he discipline anyone?”. Well, the easiest way to explain this is a parent will discipline their children when appropriate, God does the same with His children (believers) He through discipline teaches us right from wrong according to His will, not the worlds.
We, therefore, have to look at ourselves and ask the question is there sin in my life that I’m not seeing? Sure it’s easy to spot the big sins like fornication, hate, inappropriate language etc. There are also sin(s) we may have which aren’t so apparent maybe we are at times doing things through pride or selfishness. Or perhaps we aren’t praying or showing enough love to others? whatever the case may be we need to allow for God’s word to search us inwardly and show us these things so we can then address them.
Whatsoever — ὅς hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that: — one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.
We need to be diligent in seeking these things in us constantly, in letting the Holy Ghost work in us and purging anything that is not of God. That’s any state whether we are in a happy joyous state, or one of loneliness, let the will of God bring everything into the light.
Content — αὐτάρκης autárkēs, ow-tar’-kace; from G846 and G714; self-complacent, i.e. contented: — content.
We need to be content when we are experiencing moments of ups and downs, God has a purpose in them what those are exactly I cannot say and I will not pretend that I do know. But when we look back on those past moments we’ll see that He brought us through something so that we’ll be stronger, wiser and to learn to lean on Him, to depend on Him for understanding. We cannot think that we will always be able to know everything.
Abased — ταπεινόω tapeinóō, tap-i-no’-o; from G5011; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart): — abase, bring low, humble (self).
This one really hits home with me, and I’m still learning this as a person who was laden with enormous amounts of pride. The LORD had to strip me of everything in order to make me see the error of my ways. If there was one thing I was guilty of was pride, the LORD took everything away from me family, love, materials/belongings etc. And placed me in seclusion physically and spiritually from everyone and everything having me realize all the things I was unthankful for.
My everyday prayer is always to be more humble than last, especially with other people, there are times in which I have to be right, I must be right so therefore I continue on either explaining myself or proving myself. I don’t need to do such things. Recently in conversation with believer they said “The Lord sometimes places people in your life and through them the Lord exposes things you might not see”, how true those words are.
Abound — περισσεύω perisseúō, per-is-syoo’-o; from G4053; to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: — (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).
If we can take heed to God’s word He will bless us, He promises blessings for those who will walk in the way He has expected for us. He knows what’s best for us, He’s the one who created all that we’ve come to know. If we can take Him at His word He will shower us with blessings and riches we cannot begin to imagine! Just look at some of the many promises of God.
Psalms 84:11 — For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Titus 1:2 — In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
2 Corinthians 7:1 — Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Philippians 4:19 — But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Suffer — ὑστερέω hysteréō, hoos-ter-eh’-o; from G5306; to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient): — come behind (short), be destitute, fail, lack, suffer need, (be in) want, be the worse.
Let us suffer the need to want these things from God, we need Him and without Him we can do nothing of ourselves, therefore we suffer by wanting His help. All Christians should feel this need and would stay in prayer asking for the Father’s help in all things, we should be praising Him in all circumstances. For He loved us before the foundation of the world. Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20).
That’s it this was really meant as encouragement more for myself because I need it in these times. But I thank you if by reading this you felt edified or if it helped you in anyway then it was well worth it. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
