From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage.ga@verizon.net>
Subject: Greetings to All
Date: Sunday, November 03, 2002 7:58 AM

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

This is the Apostle Paul speaking who had experienced many hard and
difficult circumstances.  Through them he learned to be content.  In the
Amplified Bible this verse reads, "...For I have learned how to be content
(satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever
state I am."  Not to be disturbed or disquieted is to be calm and peaceful.
Notice he 'learned' through circumstances -- through experiences.  Where
some might see these experiences as a stumbling block, Paul used them a
stepping stone.  He became the great apostle to the gentiles and wrote 13
of the 27 New Testament books.  Let's look at the things that this
bond-servant of Christ endured to bring him to that place of being
content in all circumstances.

Paul goes on in verse 12 to tell us,
"I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in
prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being
filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."

As in 1 Corinthian 4:11-13 where he tells of the dire situation that he and
his fellow worker are in,
"To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly
clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working
with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted,
we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as
the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now."

In Paul's defense of his apostleship he tells of the many trials he has
endured.  (Read all of 2 Corinthians Chapter 11)
Starting in verse 24 he says:
"Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was
beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night
and a day I spent in the deep.  I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers
from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers
from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers
on the sea, dangers among false brethren;  I have been in labor and
hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without
food, in cold and exposure."  2 Corinthians 11:24-27

These were just the external things, he says apart from these, "...there is
the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches."  Vs. 28

Then he tells of his 'thorn in the side',  followed by the submission of
his weakness to Christ as we read in Chapter 12:9,
"And He (Christ) has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power
is perfected in weakness.'  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast
about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

Then in Vs. 10 he says, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses,
with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for
Christ's sake..."  The 'therefore' in this verse speaks to me of a heart and
mind settled and at rest in Christ.  Does this remind you as it does me of
Daniel 1:8 where, "Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself..."?

Let's read again,
"...I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how
to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;
in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret..."
 And what is the secret?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:11-13

This strength is ours too in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Are you in a hard place?  Then, "Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall
guard  your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

He is our strength, our comfort, our all in all!
With thankful hearts we praise and worship Christ forever more!  Amen.