“I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET!”

 Philippians 4:8-13                    (ESV)

“[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—PRACTICE THESE THINGS, and THE GOD OF PEACE will be with you.

GOD’s PROVISION

[10] I rejoiced in the LORD greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I HAVE LEARNED IN WHATEVER SITUATION I AM IN TO BE CONTENT. [12] I know how to be BROUGHT LOW, and I know how to ABOUND. In ANY and EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE, “I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET” of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. [13] I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM (CHRIST) WHO STRENGTHENS me.”

THINK ON THESE THINGS—Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while incarcerated in prison!  Yet he wrote in Philippians 4:08 “…. whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.”  Don’t think about how difficult things are, but remember that the CREATOR CHOSE me (Ephesians 1:4) BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, so I should REJOICE!!!

The “cares” of what is transpiring in things of our surroundings can be very difficult to manage?  But consider where I was July 09, 2007??  How did that turn out?!?  JESUS CHRIST willingly gave HIMSELF as a Sacrifice for our sinful lives because we are INCAPABLE of defeating sin in our lives!  

ALMIGHTY GOD is the ONLY way to be a person who is capable of saying “I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET” of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need! Until my EYES were OPENED to SEE precisely how and what GOD has for me to “glean” from “this world”, I was like a ship without a rudder.  But IN HIS TIMING, GOD is perfecting me, through sacrifices of JESUS!!!  2 Corinthians 10:5 says “We (humanity) DESTROY arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of GOD, and take EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE to obey CHRIST.”  

It is my desire to SURRENDER my life to the PLAN that JESUS had for me from BEFORE the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)!! Although at the time the Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison , “I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET” is to FOLLOW JESUS and TRUST HIM with everything!!!