Oct. 20, 2018

My God Shall Supply All Your Need

Philippians 4:19...But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus...KJV

The song lyrics say, 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word, Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!". These words describe the Apostle Paul to a T. His given name was Saul, a devout Jew raised under the law, by a noted scholar of his time named Gamaliel who did not see Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 5:33-40).

Saul's job was to punish Christians to the point of death until he had a one on one encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus, has his name changed from Saul to Paul and becomes one of the greatest preachers.  For those who feel what you have done in your past is so horrible, the story of Paul will bring hope to you. A wonderful change came over Paul and he wrote most of the epistles (letters) in the New Testament..Philippians being among them.

Paul started the Church at Philippi and because of his conversion to Christianity became a problem to the Roman government. Your reference to Rome would be the life of Jesus and Paul finds himself in prison when he pens a letter to his favotite Church and its members called Philippians.

Though Paul was a prisoner, he had joy, triumphant joy because of his relationship to Jesus. For Paul, true joy is not a surface emotion that depends on favorable circumstances of the moment. Christian joy is independent of outward conditions and is possible even in the midst of adverse circumstances such as suffering persecutions.

The difference between love and joy? Per Tina Turner love is a second hand emotion but joy is achieved from fellowship with the risen Christ Jesus and is a mystery to those who do not have that relationship with Him. So in chapter 4, Paul is letting the Philippians know you have to have Peace with your brothers and sisters 4:1-3...Peace with the Lord 4:4-7 and Peace with all circumstances 4:10-23.

Though a prisoner, the church members gave monetary gifts to their Pastor, Paul who tho confined had this remarkable joy. Paul knew and wanted his members to know...no matter what happens to you, have faith in God because He will provide eveything you need.

The message to you and I will be wrapped around 3 views we all can relate to especially in todays evironment. Political, Cultural and Spiritual. Politically, the law said Jesus was a troublemaker and because His views of some mystical kingdom was a threat to the politcal norm of the time had to be eliminated. So he died a horrible death on a cursed cross. Mission accomplished but His followers kept His message alive.  

Paul encounters Jesus, is converted and is now one of them...a trouble maker in prison because he dare taught the same message as this Jesus. But was provided for and had every need met not by the political groups but by ordinary people who heard the message of the Gospel and were led by the Holy Spirit to provide what Paul needed and God did this according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.

Culturally God had proven since the beginnig of time that those who acknowledged Him as their Father were taken care of even when they were rebellious. The greatest story of this provision was the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. God was their cloud to protect them from the sun during the day and pillar of fire by night to keep them warm. He provided food (manna) for them to eat. Their clothes and sandals never wore out and the absolute greatest event ever...parting the Red Sea. Why all this? Because they were his chosen people who kept alive the culture of acknowledging God, their provider.  

Spiritually God always provides for those who evangelize, preach and witness to people who need help. Elijah was fed a meal twice a day by ravens.(1st Kings 17:1-8 KJV). Because of his faith in God and obedience of a woman who had one last meal but fed him first, Elijah promised her that the oil and meal in her barrell would never stop and it didn't.(1st Kings 17:9-16) KJV

Politically when parties argue over perceived power and who is right or wrong we as Christians are supposed to say, regardless of any political affiliation...fear not...My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.

Culturally when there is a clash between cultures causing a breakdown of harmony among God's people we as Christians are supposed to remind those who argue not to fear...My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus...

Spiritually when religions argue over which one is right or wrong we as Christians are supposed to remind them not to fear...My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus...

Thank You Father for Your Word...