Monday, 27^th February 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: GOD-SUFFICIENT

THEME SCRIPTURE: “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 4:12

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever felt inadequate at any time in this life?
2. What will you say was the reason(s) underpinning the inadequacy you felt?

 

To the Philippian believers, Paul expressed his appreciation for their love gifts and concern towards him (Phil 4:10). Showing concern for each other, and also to men of God who are engaged in full ministerial work, should be something every Christian must be proactive towards.

Further, Paul highlights an important Christian virtue, contentment and absolute God-dependent. A careful study of Paul’s Christian journey reveals various challenges he encountered. There were times he was beaten. He was shipwrecked. Another time he survived an attack from a poisonous snake. He was in prison at different times for the sake of the Gospel and many more.

In our theme scripture (Phil 4:12), Paul talks about times he encountered great need and times he also had plenty. At times, he was hungry and at times he was full. Interestingly Paul talks about a combination of opportunity and challenge in his Christian journey and how he has embraced it as a way of life. His reason was that he sees every situation as God’s way of helping him to learn. Learn what?

Beloved in Christ, until we learn to be fully dependent on God and be content with Him, we are susceptible to so many temptations in this life.

For instance, a Christian who has never been hungry before can deny his Lord because of food. Esau sold his birthright for a morsel of bread (Heb 12:16). Some Christians have sold their birthright in Christ for a loaf of bread and a pair of shoes because they could not endure ‘wants’. Judas Iscariot lost his apostleship because he was not content with Jesus. Gehazi went home with leprosy because he was not content with the prophet of God.

If all you have is Jesus, you have something more than gold. Let God be enough for you. It takes a fully matured Christian to be happy and satisfied no matter the situation he finds himself in.

Beloved in the Lord, in a world where unhealthy competition to outdo one another is prevalent, it is noble to live a life of contentment. It will do us good to come to that acknowledgement as Paul did that God is sufficient for us at all times in this life. A man or woman that is God-sufficient can do all things. You may be going through some trying times in your ministerial call, on a new project/assignment, in your marital life, in raising your kids, etc. The assurance for you, dear Christian friend, is that Christ Jesus will provide the energy, the wisdom, and the power to accomplish that mission. The Christian that is content is also God-sufficient and can do all things through Christ who strengthens him/her. Hallelujah!

FURTHER READING – Isaiah 40:28-31

 

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. What do you do when you are overwhelmed with life issues?

 

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, I receive the grace and the discipline to be content in every situation I find myself in. I affirm that because You are with me I am God-sufficient and can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 11;