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Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

¹⁴Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

²⁰To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

John 14:11

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
John 14:11 NIV

There’s A Desire For “Approval” In All Of Us

We need to feel liked, appreciated, understood and esteemed by people around us. Especially those we look up to. One could say it’s “normal” to want that.

But which is stronger ? The desire to be approved by men or by God?

At some point… we’ve all chosen to please people above the Lord.

As long as we seek the approval of people above the approval of God we’ll compromise in our Christian walk.

The desire to be “esteemed” needs to die. It’s a tough one… but it needs to be “put on the altar.”

The need to be respected and acknowledged… best we let go of that… it gets in the way of serving the Lord.

So then what? We become downtrodden losers? No, not at all!

We grow in the freedom of the Lord “to be ourselves.” Striving less to please people, but somehow having more of God’s heart for people.

Mark Saunders

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

Psalm 27

Of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

You Are Not Alone

When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Matthew 14:30

You are not alone.

Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water next to Jesus. But after a while, the storm grew stronger and, overwhelmed by a situation he couldn’t control, Peter began to sink.

Immediately, Jesus saves Peter. But then He asks one question:

“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

When storms in life happen, it’s easy to act like Peter. We can become so fixated on the problems around us that we lose sight of our Savior standing beside us.

But even when hope seems lost, Jesus is near. His constant presence is our confident assurance that during life’s storms, God is, and always will be, in control.

Whatever you’re going through right now, be encouraged: Christ is your anchor, He is able to do the impossible, and He will not let you drown. Hold onto hope by fixing your eyes on Him.

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