Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Strength

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ESV #Bible

I imagine Paul in his lifestyle before Jesus didn't go without too many things because of his position in society. Which speaks of his sacrifice, or adjustment to a life in Christ.
Paul found that when you have Jesus, the need for things was inferior to the glory he relished in, being found a believer in the Messiah Jesus far out weighed anything to be found in this world. Why would he worship a fabrication instead of the fabricator God Himself?
We don't always see or experience God's strengthening until we are brought low, or we suffer hardships like hunger or poverty.
Paul learned that in facing hunger or plenty, with Jesus all situations work out with the strengthening of our Lord Jesus, who moves us on to the next segment or adventure Jesus leads us into, finding ourselves able to do all things through Jesus who strengthens us.
In this world time goes on, and we can't stop it, as we continue to the end of this age or our lives, whichever comes first, our God Jesus cares for us, and He strengthens us and moves us on. In this we need to remember it ain't over until God our Father says its over.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Abiding

1 John 2:24-25 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us--eternal life. ESV #bible

This word "abide" means several things, for example in this verse. To abide in what you heard from the beginning, to be held, remain, continue, to dwell, be present, to stand, to remain as one, not to become another or different.
We have the pleasure of dwelling in the Father God and The Son Jesus standing and not moving from Them.
The Spirits of God the Father and the Son Jesus reside or dwell, or stand in us, firmly.
The Holy Spirit is our companion in this life, and He abides in the Father and the Son and they also abide in Him.
John is encouraging us here to continue, and abide in what we heard from the beginning. Not leaving or changing anything but abiding in what we have heard and learned.
If we continue abiding we have a wonderful reward awaiting, eternal life abiding with and in the Father God and Jesus the Christ.
If we walk away, naturally we no longer abide, we have altered our relationship, and the consequences of our life are now absent from God's care because we no longer abide in Him. We are subject to the effects of this world, and the god of this world.
The bible has all sorts of wonderful descriptions of what it will be like to abide in God in Heaven. All we have to do is abide, remain, stand in our God, and what we have heard from the beginning. This is our Fathers care for us in this life.