AUGUST 20

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

Mark 8:34

 “…Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”

HELEN STEINER RICE

Complainingly I told myself, “this cross is too heavy to wear”, and I wondered discontentedly why God gave it to me to bear.

And I looked with envy at others whose crosses seemed lighter than mine, and wished that I could change my cross for one of a lighter design.

And then, in a dream, I beheld the cross I impulsively wanted to wear.  It was fashioned of pearls and diamonds and gems that were precious and rare.

And when I hung it around my neck, the weight of the jewels and the gold was much too heavy and cumbersome for my small, slender neck to hold.

So I tossed it aside, and before my eyes was a cross of rose-red flowers.  And I said with delight as I put it on, “this cross I can wear for hours.”

For it was so dainty and fragile, so lovely and light and thin, but I had forgotten about the thorns that started to pierce my skin!

And then in my dream I saw “my cross,” rugged and old and plain, that clumsy old cross I had looked upon with discontented disdain.

And at last I knew that God had made this “special cross for me,”  For God in His great wisdom knew what I before could not see.

That often the loveliest crosses are the heaviest crosses to bear, for only God is wise enough to choose the cross we can wear.

So never complain about YOUR CROSS, for your cross has been blest.  God made it just for you to wear, and remember, GOD KNOWS BEST!!!!

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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.”

THE FINAL PROMISE IN PHILIPPIANS

And now we come to the glorious closing note of the book of Philippians:  “and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.”

Dr. Gordon Fee wrote:

“This sentence is a master stroke.  Although Paul cannot reciprocate in kind, since their gift had the effect of being a sweet-smelling sacrifice, pleasing to God, Paul assures them that God, whom he deliberately designates as “my God,” will assume responsibility for reciprocity.  Thus, picking up the language of “my need” from verse 16 and “fill to the full” from verse 18, he promises them that “my God will fill up every need of yours.”

In their present suffering in the face of opposition, God will richly supply what is needed (steadfastness, joy, encouragement).  In their need to advance in the faith in one mindset, God will richly supply the grace and humility necessary for it.  In the place of both “grumbling” and “anxiety” God will be present with them as the God of peace.  “My God,” Paul says, will act for me in your behalf by “filling to the full all your needs.”

This verse is simply a continuation of a theme we find throughout the Bible.  When we put the Lord first in our lives – with our habits, priorities, giving and our living – He will make sure all our needs are met, whether those needs are financial, emotional, spiritual, relational, or whatever.

Psalm 23:1 says,

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” (or as the TLB says, “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!”

Matthew 6:33 says,

 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God….and all these things shall be added unto you.”

John 1:16 says:

“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”

Philippians 4:19 says:

“and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

A woman wrote to the advice columnist of a magazine, saying, “My husband grew up poor in a single-parent household.  I grew up better off.  My parents were both good at saving, and good at investing money wisely.  My husband knows we were better off, but I don’t think he realizes just HOW well off.  I’m wondering if I should prepare him in some way for when my mom passes away or just go with the “ ‘Surprise!  We get a third of a multimillion dollar estate’ route.”

We don’t have any idea how rich we are and how wealthy we’ll be in eternity because of the riches of God’s grace gained by the death of Christ, but great comfort comes to those who learn Philippians 4:19. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

You can trust God to meet every single need in your life when He is first and foremost in your heart.

In the next two chapters, I would like to open the vault and show you 24 bottomless treasure chests that have your name on them.

Whatever happens, I don’t want you to forget how rich you are.

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