AUGUST 19

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

Acts 17:28

“For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.”

HELEN STEINER RICE

We walk in a world that is strange and unknown and in the midst of the crowd we still feel alone.

We question our purpose, our part and our place in this vast land of mystery suspended in space.

We probe and explore and try hard to explain the tumult of thoughts that our minds entertain….

Unable to fathom what tomorrow will bring — but there is one truth to which we can cling,

For while LIFE’S A MYSTERY man can’t understand, the “GREAT GIVER OF LIFE” is holding our hand.

And safe in HIS care there is no need for seeing, for “IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.”

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This month we will continue the book, “Whatever Happens – How to Stand Firm in Your Faith When the World is Falling Apart.”  By a contemporary author of many best-selling Christian books, Robert J. Morgan.  He took care of his wife when she had MS, until she went home to her Savior.  “He knows of which he speaks.”  I pray that this book blesses you.

Philippians 4:14-20:

“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Look at verse 14 (above).  Paul appreciated their partnering with him during his difficult time as a prisoner in Rome.  In the same way,  God blesses us when we’re allowed to share in the troubles of others.

Verses 15 and 16 continue with his thoughts (above).   Here Paul is thinking back over the years  to the way the Philippians had sent him financial support.  I can’t imagine what this means to a missionary.  Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to receive a paycheck for services rendered, first at places like JCPenney and Sears, and then at the churches I’ve pastored.  But I’ve never had to raise my own support the way any missionaries must do.  After watching this process for many decades, I can tell you it is harder for some missionaries than others.  But I’ve grown in my conviction that a local church should as much as possible sponsor and support the missionaries it sends out.  This is what the Philippians did for Paul.  They became, in effect, his primary supporting church.

Here at the end of the letter, then, he officially expressed his deepest gratitude.  He went on to say in verse 17:  “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”

Paul may have been thinking of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20:

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

In some sense, our financial support for the Lord’s work on earth is credited to our account in heaven.  Paul went on to use several other phrases to describe their gift.  Look at verse 18:

“I 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.”

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