BE CONTENT AND FOCUSED, INTENTIONAL

BE CONTENT AND FOCUSED, INTENTIONAL

 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. —Philippians 3:7-9

  But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13-14

 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. —Philippians 3:20-21

 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:11-13

 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. —Philippians 4:19-20

            Is it your desire for “our God and Father be glory forever and ever?”  Do you trust God to “supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus?”  Have you learned, are you learning in whatever situation you are in to be content?  Do you focus on your “citizenship in heaven?”  Are you looking forward to seeing Jesus and having your body transformed?  Do you look forward to what lies ahead are not bound in the past or to the past?  Are you pressing on toward the goal?  Are you counting all things loss for the sake of Jesus?  Do you understand that your righteousness comes through faith in Jesus and that this is a righteousness of God through faith in Jesus? 

            The Apostle Paul counted all things loss for the sake of Jesus.  Jesus was the most important priority in His life.  Knowing Jesus and the righteousness that comes through Him was worth eternally more than whatever gains, profits and power Paul had in the past or could have in the future.  Do you and I have this same view?  Oh, may it be so!  May we be like Paul—straining for the goal, pressing forward to what is ahead and not looking back. 

            Paul focused on his citizenship in heaven.  This was eternally more valuable than his Roman citizenship.  He was longing to see Jesus and longing to have his body transformed to be like Jesus’ body.  For now, while awaiting all this glorious future, Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstance he found himself in all because he knew he could “do all things through him who strengthens me.” He also knew that just as God took care of his needs that “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.”  Do you believe that?  It is true  so let us trust God and keep our focus on Him.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus, my Lord.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2S9y3r0XE