From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Joyous Greetings
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2001 7:53 AM

"...For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."
Philippians 4:11

These are the words of the Apostle Paul who endured many hardships
during his Christian life.
2 Corinthians 11:23 - 33 gives a list of these hardships, they are the
credentials of this great Apostle.  Yes, he is the one who said, 'I have
learned to be content in whatever circumstances.'
We see this same attitude in his prayer for relief from 'a thorn in the
flesh',
the Lord's response and Paul's acceptance was as follows,

"Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart
from me."
"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you for power is
perfected in weakness.'"
Now look at Paul's response,
"Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the
power of Christ may dwell in me."  2 Cornithians 12:8 - 9

Look what he goes on to say,
"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses,
with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak,
then I am strong."  2 Cor 12:10

Philippians 4:11 in The Amplified Bible says, "...For I have
learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed
or disquieted) in whatever state I am."

We, too, are to come to the place of contentment.  The only way to do so,
is to trust in the Lord with our whole being.  It is to come to a spiritual
rest. Scripture tells us:

Divine presence gives rest:
"And He said, 'My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.'"
Exodus 33:14

Rest is found in Christ:
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28-29

Rest is appropriated by faith:
"For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God)
do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did
not believe] should not enter..."  Hebrews 4:3  Amplified Bible

When one is content and at rest there is a quietness and peace both within
and without.  The confusion of the world does not invade a heart that is at
rest in the Lord.  The Psalmist expressed it well in Psalm 131:2,
"Surely I have composed and quieted by soul;
 Like a weaned child rests against (upon) his mother,
 My soul is like a weaned child within me."

"The work of righteousness will be peace,
 And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence (security)
 forever."  Isaiah 32:17

And the Lord tells us, "...In quietness and trust is your strength."
Isaiah 30:15

As the chorus of the song goes,
"And in the strong name of Jesus
 By the blood of the Lamb
 We are able to truimph
 We are able to stand
 In the power of His Spirit
 By the strength on His hand
 In the strong name of Jesus
 By the precious blood of the Lamb"
(Written by Morris Chapman & Claire Cloninger)

Praise and thanks always to our Lord and King.  Amen!