Power Power of Contentment

Power

Power of Contentment

 

Are you limited by too much on your plate?

Or, is your plate empty and you feel you have nothing to give?

 Paul tells us in Philippians 4 that our plate is not our source of power

He gives us practical points in how to become strong and powerful

No matter what our situation is

Power of Contentment

 

We have all felt it when we

have had too much on our plate.

You have more to do than what

you think you can accomplish.

There is also the empty plate…

Lack of relationships, money, health.

Paul in Philippians 4 tells us…

How to have power no matter whatever

is on your plate or not on your plate.

 

For every action there is a reaction.

For every force there is a counter force.

For ever power there is a

power against that power.

It is like a tug-a-war.

No matter what state your life is in

there are powerful forces at work.

Paul gives us a list of things

all of us should know and do.

This list will ensure no

power will overtake you.

It will make you more

powerful than your situation.

Paul says it this way…

“I can do everything through

him who gives me strength.”

Paul just before this says…

“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.”

…well fed or hungry

…empty plate or full plate

So what is the secret to being

content in every situation?

What can make me more

powerful than my situation?

Start in verse 4…

Rejoice in the Lord always.

 I will say it again: Rejoice!

There is a saying…

“If mama said it once it was important but

if mama said it twice it was very important.”

All we have comes from the Lord.

God shall supply all my needs according to His riches.

Remember the 5000 hungry that

Jesus fed with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.

  

Remember the coin in the

fishes mouth to pay the taxes.

God can take care of the empty plate.

Remember Martha how she was overwhelmed

at making preparations for Jesus and

Jesus said only one thing matters…

Being in the presence of Jesus.

Rejoicing is something we learn

because it does not always come easy.

You see when you rejoice in the Lord the

second thing Paul talks about happens…

“The Lord is near”

God inhabits the praises of His people.

Rejoicing opens your eyes to

God’s presence in our situation.

Anxiousness and anxiety are

countered by Prayer and Petition…

WITH thanksgiving.

Don’t blame God, but let Him know you are

thankful for His provision to your requests.

It is the mind and the heart, the emotions and

the will God is most concerned about guarding.

Nothing is more important

than peace in the heart and mind.

The next thing is keep your

minds full of the right things.

  

Don’t let your plate get

contaminated with wrong thinking.

Fill your plate, your mind, with…

Truth, nobility, right, purity, love,

things that are admirable.

It is this practice that enabled Paul to say…

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.

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

God’s strength, God’s power, is not

determined by what is on your plate.

Your level of power is

determined by your contentment.

Need more power?

Put into practice Philippians 4.

Scripture Reading

Philippians 4:4-13 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.