Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

december 5
Thursday


GET YOUR
"WANTER"
FIXED

READ:
Philippians 4:4-13
________________________________________________________________________

I have learned in
whatever state I am,
to be content.
__Philippians 4:11
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When my wife was a young girl in Austin, Texas, Carlyle Marney was her family's neighbor, pastor, and friend. One of his off-hand remarks about being content became one of her family's enduring expressions: "Dr. Marney says, 'We just need to get our wanter fixed.' "

It's so easy to want more than we need and to become more focused on getting than on giving. Soon, our desires dictate our choices.

When the apostle paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in the city of Philippi, He told them, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content....I have learned both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need" (Phil. 4:11-12). Paul was saying, in effect, "I've had my 'wanter' fixed." It's important to note that paul was not born with contentment. He learned it in the difficult circumstances of everyday life.

During this season of the year, when shopping and buying often take center stage in so many countries and cultures, why don't we decide to focus on being satisfied in our present circumstances? It may sound difficult, but Paul, when talking about learning to be content said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (v.13).
__David McCasland

``````````````````Help us, Lord, to learn contentment when life is````````````````
```````````````````rough. Protect us from believing the lie that``````````````````
``````````````````having more will bring us happiness. May we be````````````````
`````````````````````````content with what You have given.```````````````````````
__________________________________________________________________________________
Contentment begins with having fewer wants.

*******************Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 4:4-13**********************
4 Rejoice in the Lord
always. Again I will say,
rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be
known to all men. The Lord
is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to
God; 7 and the peace of
God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,
whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything
praiseworthy__meditate on
these things. 9 The things
which you learned and
received and heard and saw
in me, these do, and the God
of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord
greatly that now at last your
care for me has flourished
again; though you surely did
care, but you lacked
opportunity. 11 Not that I
speak in regard to need, for I
have learned in whatever
state I am, to be content: 12 I
know how to be abased, and
I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things
I have learned both to be full
and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul reveals three of the benefits of following
Christ. Living in relationship with the Savior will be marked by joy,
gentleness, and peace. No wonder Paul was able to experience a
heart of contentment even when imprisoned in Rome (v.11).