Do you realize how blessed you are? Oh of course I do Bro Dave.
No, let me try it again; do you realize how blessed you are? Yes Bro Dave of course I do!
No, no, I don’t think you understand my question; do you realize how blessed you are? Why Bro Dave I’ve told you twice and I tell you three times I realize how blessed I am.
Fine, then why aren’t you (and me) living your Christian life as such? Where you are right now in life; your career, your marriage, your family, your fellowship, your walk with Jesus Christ, can you say the things the Apostle Paul wrote from a Philippian jail?
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“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen†(Philippians 4:18-20)
Do you have all and abound? In other words are you not only so satisfied that you believe you have all you need, but also and more importantly, believe that you have more than enough? That is what Paul is writing here—all and abound.
Can you face each day knowing for yourself and sharing with others that God will meet all our needs? Powerful little word “all.†Seems silly referring to the Random House Dictionary for the definition of all, but apparently too many of us are living our lives as though we do not understand Philippians 4:19 and the meaning of “all.â€
“All†is defined as “the whole of—used in referring to quantity; the whole number of—used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively; the greatest possible—used in referring to quality or degree; every; any; any whatever.
So whatever you are facing, no matter how insurmountable your need may be, God will meet all your need to the greatest extent and excellence you could possibly imagine.
Ah, but you’re may be thinking in the material or financial realm. Paul is writing of spiritual abundance. No matter your physical and emotional needs (and I would submit that being in jail is very taxing on both), we can face all we meet with the blessed assurance that our Heavenly Father knows and cares for us. And more importantly He wants to help us, through the Holy Spirit, to grow in our faith in His Son Jesus Christ. The Apostle Peter exhorts us to do so:
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“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.†(2 Peter 1:5-11)
Why does God supplies abundantly in spiritual things? One of the reasons is tucked into the end of the passage above: an abundant entrance. If we will diligently work for the Kingdom of God here on earth, then our entrance into Christ’s Heavenly Kingdom will be one of triumph!
Next week I want to look closer at spiritual abundance that leads us to a triumphal entry into Heaven.
For now, I’ll be praying that each of you come to the full meaning of the word “all.â€
Have a blessed weekend and please remember to go to church on Sunday.
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4
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Copyright © 2012 David Jeffers
Tags
Aletheia, Bible, Christianity, Evangelism, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Mercy, Prayer, Revival, Truth