Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This came from the mouth of one who experienced the sweet and bitter of life. From a man who been through various valley moments, once he was rich, once he was strong in health, once he was stoned, ship wrecked for three times, once he was in jail. Apostle Paul.
But he said this.. In the AMP version,”Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.”
The secret to be a blessed Christian..
3 Don’ts, we should avoid.. As believers to be a blessed Christian!
1. Don’t compare- I’m sure Paul didn’t compare the agony he went through.
I remembered there’s a quote that says don’t compare your chapter 1 to people’s chapter 20. You never know how much they struggled and went through before they arrived at their chapter 20. When I was younger, I love to compare. Any single thing that I take pride in, I will compare and I MUST win. It comes to a point, you no longer know what is right, and what is wrong.. It is really dangerous. And that is the reason why people will sometimes commit mistakes unknowingly.
Comparing will only steal your joy and happiness away, because u will be disappointed by the very fact that you will surely find someone who is much more talented, successful and prettier than you.
2. Don’t worry - Be it in all seasons of our lives, we surely have something we are worrying about.
As student- they worry that they can’t do well.
As working adults- they worry that they don’t hit sales target, they worry they can’t deliver to superiors what they were supposed to.
As the only sole breadwinner in the family- he/she will worry about not earning enough for the family.
One thing that always come into my mind when it comes to “Don’t worry”.. Is this…”if God is all that you have, you have ALL that you need”
The bible is clear. This concept was repeated umpteen times in the bible.
Matt 6:33- Seek first the kingdom of God, and all that you need will be added to you.
Another verse that says..”Give all your worries and cares to God, He cares for you.”
Another verse that says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink..”
This is the second secret of a blessed Christian.
3. Don’t forget to give thanks - In all things, give thanks!
Give thanks, and count your blessings!
Personally, I feel Christians should be the most thankful or grateful around. Everything we own, we have, we don’t really deserve it. It is by the grace of God, we have and own all that we have today. Do we really deserve good life? Deserve the electronic gadgets we have today? Do we really deserve the loves, the concerns and treats we enjoy from our family and loved ones? God bless and prosper them and by the grace of God, we are blessed. That explains why you and I, all of us, our lives itself is a testimony. All things happened and present because of God’s grace.
Give thanks to God for the new day be it what happened yesterday, give thanks to God for opportunities no matter how many opportunities we missed out before that. Give thanks to God for everything that happened, be it the good or bad, believing that The Lord always have something greater in stored for those who loved Him.
You can be blessed today! You are blessed today! Eileen is blessed! Praise God!
