Thought of the Day !!
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
I have often times heard the last sentence of this passage (and even quoted it). "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" is used to help others see that with Christ all things are possible.
But how often have we read the verses that precede this statement? Paul is saying that because he has Christ, he can be happy whether he is on top of the world or in a ditch. If we ask and allow Him to, Christ will give us the strength we need to be wealthy and still give much away...to succeed and still be humble...to live with our heads just above water and still not constantly complain about what we don't have...to be laid off or replaced and still be able to love our neighbor...to be displaced by a natural disaster that has demolished everything we had and still love God.
If we ask, we shall receive. Ask for strength from Christ, no matter what your place in life, and He will share it with you.
In the love of Christ,
greg
posted by Greg Hazelrig @ 4:53 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I love this post. I fear that those who preach the "prosperity gospel" do much harm, because they are setting people up with faith so weak they cannot sustain the difficult times.
I was looking up a former pastor's new church last year and stumbled upon a site of a skeptic. This skeptic was once a Christian but has since become an atheist. He stopped believing because he was taught that God would protect believers and no harm would fall to them. He saw tragedy and was convinced Christianity was all a sham.
So this guy posts pictures of churches destroyed by fires, tornadoes, and floods. He also posts news reports of church bus accidents and other tragedies. All of this is his way of showing that God is not real.
I found the site because my friend's church was destroyed by tornadoes twice in the past, so of course that church made (dis)honorable mention on this guy's site.
I think often of this skeptic and pray that he will someday understand. I can only imagine the flame emails he gets from Christians, which no doubt only fuels the flames of his disbelief.
Anyway, thanks for the post!
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