FRIDAY

Nov 11, 2022
2 min read

Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to get through this week. It has been a glorious week of understanding Your Word, and I am thankful to end it praising Your great Name! Hallelujah!

Philippians 4:14-19

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 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. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

This week I have learned that the Lord wants me to be content. Why is that so? I am waiting for His instructions. What am I supposed to do while I wait? I’m supposed to rejoice in Him!

The people in Philippi knew what it was like to wait. They waited for Paul to initially arrive and then waited again for him to visit a few more times. In the meantime, they received this wonderful letter of instruction from Paul, reminding them about the power of rejoicing.

The Philippians knew to do one more thing—they knew to thank Paul with their monetary gifts. On Paul’s first journey, he states that the Philippian church was the only church to help him—they gave him a love offering for sharing the gospel with them.

When someone shares with us the good news of Jesus Christ which lifts our spirit, we in turn should be so thankful that we give a gift that will bless them. These gifts, according to Paul, are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice and pleasing to God. I definitely want to share my resources with anyone who gives me such a gift which lifts my spirit!

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: Paul states that when I share the resources He has given me, He will bless me: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. I know God will meet my physical needs, as He has done in the past. Have I considered He also will meet all my spiritual needs?

This weekend, I want to find someone who God will allow me to lift their spirit. When I go to church on Sunday, perhaps I can look around and see who needs encouragement. I would want them to do the same for me!

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman