“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse.”
“Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-8 and 10 NIV (emphasis mine)
Comments: “False teachers do not look dangerous; they appear enlightened, compassionate, even Christ-like. But their doctrine subtly shifts the focus from Christ to self—your breakthrough, your destiny, your potential. This is a different gospel, and Paul warns that even if an angel preaches it, we are not to receive it.”
Bruce Cooper, from his excellent post, Smoke and Mirrors: Unmasking the Strategy of Deception. You can read it HERE.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
The Apostle Paul said, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Galatians 4:16 NIV
Paul loved the Galatians but he would not compromise the truth to appease them. In fact, he pleaded with them to turn away from false teachers, warning them that the motives of the false teachers were evil.
Proverbs 27:6 AMP says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].
We must love the truth so that we are not seduced by a spirit of compromise. Jesus prayed for His disciples,
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 NIV
Comments: Each of us has been given a task, a part to play in God’s plan. But it is God who makes the seeds we plant grow.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”
“I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” From the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:12-13 AMP
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” Philippians 1:12-13 NIV
Inspiration from Devotional Treasures: “In Luke 21:10-13 Christ tells us of coming trials for believers, but He highlights how such trials can serve the Gospel inVerse 13 –“It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.”In Philippians we find Paul in prison, proclaiming that even his imprisonment progresses the Gospel.
Dear reader, let us look at ourselves and our circumstances (good and bad) – do we serve the Gospel in them? Is your illness or unemployment an opportunity to share the Good News?”
Are you unhappy about circumstances you can’t change? Maybe you are married to an unbeliever. Maybe you are a widow. Perhaps you are single and want to be married. Maybe, like Paul, you are in prison. Whatever your circumstances you can learn to be content.
I was listening to a Christian podcast as I walked my dog, Henry. I often listen to other Christian thinkers or pray as I walk my little buddy 2 or 3 times a day.
This is Henry waiting for his walk.
Something the speaker said really jumped out to me. He emphasized the word learned in the following passage.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.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.” Philippians 4:11-12, The Apostle Paul speaking (emphasis mine)
Paul didn’t say, “I’m content in every circumstance.” He said, “I have learned to be content.”
Just like we learn to be discerning, patient, self-controlled, godly, etc., we must also must learn to be content in every situation. This was something I had never noticed before even though I have read the passage many times.
There are circumstances in my life that have kept me from being content. I am thankful for what God has given me. I can make a long list of the things I am grateful for in my life, but there is one thing that keeps me from being genuinely content.
When I realized that contentment is something I can learn, I was very encouraged. So I am asking the Lord to teach me how to be content in my present situation. I believe He will. In fact, I already have a different perspective on it.
My message to you: If you aren’t content in your present situation, ask the Lord to teach you how to be content. Tell Jesus you want to learn how to be content. I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t pray for God to change our situation. But sometimes, our need is to be content where we are.
If Paul could learn to be content when in prison or when going hungry, we can also learn to be content no matter what our circumstances happen to be.
My prayer is that this short lesson will give you hope, knowing that Jesus can and will teach you how to be content. Ask Him.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
“Teach me, Lord …” Psalm 119:33a
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
Paul was languishing in a cold dungeon, chained like a common criminal, and he knew his death was near. “This ancient prison could have been called the “House of Darkness.” Few prisons were as dim, dank, and dirty as the lower chamber Paul occupied. Its “neglect, darkness, and stench” gave it “a hideous and terrifying appearance.”¹
This is where Paul wrote these words, “Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave youwhen I laid my hands on you.” 2 Timothy 1:6 NLT
I can’t keep reading. I have to stop and read his last letter with the realization that the Apostle Paul used his waning strength to pen these words. I want to understand it fully.
Have you ever been on a camp out and couldn’t get a fire going? Maybe you get a little spark, but it goes out. If you blow on it just right it starts to catch. You carefully add more kindling and fan it some more. If you keep fanning it, eventually you will have a bon fire!
This is the metaphor Paul used to encourage Timothy to develop his ministry.
Do you know what gift God has given you? Is it to proclaim His glory through the written word? Has He put a desire in you to write about what He has done?
I don’t mean: Are you a gifted writer? I mean: Has God put a deep desire in your heart to write and share what He has done for you? Has He asked you to “comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God?” 2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV
If you aren’t a professional writer, your efforts may start like that little spark, but eventually you will see the bonfire you desire. How? Practice, learn, do, never give up. You’ll keep getting better!
I still have a lot to learn. I spend a lot of time studying the craft of writing. I certainly haven’t “arrived”, but these are the things that have helped me most:
“The aim of writing is to move the reader to tears or to laughter, and to a new point of understanding.”
“People want inspiration and application.”
Study the writing of an author you admire.
After I write the first draft, I rewrite, rewrite, and edit ruthlessly.
Stay focused on the message. Don’t ramble.
Look at each sentence. Can I say it in fewer words?
When you think it’s perfect, wait and read it again the next day. If you’re happy with it, then hit publish.
Now go fan into flames the gift God has given you!
INSPIRE! ENCOURAGE! TEACH!
SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST WITH THE WORLD!
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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¹Historical Background of Paul’s Final Imprisonment, by Derrick G. Jeter, Insight for Living Ministries, August 14, 2017
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