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Northwest Ohio Emmaus Mens Walk 58
Table of John & All Who Care To Follow.
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DAY 14 ~ October 18, 2009 ~ Philippians 4:13
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Philippians 4:13 (New International Version):
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Default reading link is to BibleGateway.com in the NIV. There are links to commentary and related passages found after you click through to read the chapter. Remember, devotions are the short things we read and reflect upon. Study happens when we dig deeper, read commentary, and related passages. For this reason, our study links bring up the entire chapter instead of just the verse suggested.
Please share that you studied, or your response to the study - in the blog at www.e4God.com or see our full 21 Day study plan at www.e4God.com/58
Comment by admin — October 18, 2009 @ 7:35 am
Phillipians Ch 4 is a beautiful passage about how to live The Christian life. I would like to dig in more with the other great ideas that lead up to our verse - but I think i will save them for their own study later.
Our verse today is often thought of as one to help us bear up under trial, but it is really more than that if you read it in context.
Paul is saying that he can be content in riches and plenty through Christ who strengthens him AND he can be content in want through Christ who strengthens him. Some read this to say that both situations are a trial. I think this is silly. Both situations are situations. Period… That is what Paul is saying…. Externals don’t matter.
Since I am one who has been both rich, and poor, this verse encourages me. When I was rich, I was always hearing from others what a trial that must be. It was as though we as Christians need to fear blessings and plenty. Some would make being rich into a sin. You know the verses…. “it is easier for a rich man to go through the eye of the needle than to enter the kingdom” Well, this too is another study for another time. For today, let me just say, it is not a sin to be rich or to be poor.
While being “well fed” or living in “plenty’ (being rich) can cause a man to forget his God, Paul knows he can ‘handle’ such conditions through Christ who strengthens him.
The other condition, of being poor or “in want” is also a temptation, this time to be bitter about God not providing…. but Paul says he can do this too.
In the end it does not matter what is happening in our lives. What matters is that we know and love Christ, so that the “God of Peace will be with you”.