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.
Philippians 4:12 NKJV
I’ve been employed ever since I was ten years old. It was sheer, moral duty in order to help defray the financial obligations in the life struggles of a single-parent household. When Paul writes, I have learned, the Greek word implies instruction. Instructions in life’s journey come via formal education, organic learning, success, failure, cultural experiences, social interactions, trials and triumphs. Without a doubt, these experiences effect can and will have lasting effects.
One mere peek at the apostle’s life can attest that Paul underwent a major reversal in his luminous career. At one point he had everything a person could desire: credentials, social standing, power, authority, education, money, recognition and respect. Suddenly and gradually Paul lost everything, man!
Like Paul, I too, lost everything. I remember the event all too well: A thirty-nine year old husband of a pregnant wife and father of three children, unemployed for the very first time in his entire life. Furniture, automobiles and electronic gadgets were the most attractive items sold at the necessitated yard sale. What a harsh lesson to learn.
The school of affliction is a grueling taskmaster. The objective of this discipline is to find contentment in God which is a feeling of calm satisfaction; a state of mind in which one’s desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be. It is opposed to envy, avarice, ambition, anxiety and repining. I know boasting is wrong, but I feel as if I can boast in the Lord because I graduated from the school of affliction with top honors! I encourage you to stay the course… don’t weary in doing good… in due season you will graduate with top honors by His strength!
“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8
His and yours,
panch
12 comments:
Panch, Thanks for this! This is a wonderful reminder as we look forward to this world growing dimmer and darker as we continue to approach the coming of Christ! Yours is an awsome testimony and appreciate that you're always "On the Level"! In Him-Renay Ibarra.
Thank you Panch. This ministered to me right where I was at today.
Mathew
Awesome!
Thanks Pastor Pancho,
Your entry made me put things in order -that it is GOD'S perspective and not our which is so limited. May the LORD continue to be with you, your family and your ministry.
clete
P.S. I enjoy listening to you on KLHT AM1040
Hi guys! Thanks for checking in!
Pastor
I would like to thank you so much for the message it really spoke to my heart.
It is true we learn through experience and like Paul he gave it up order to know Christ more.
I recall Jesus words in Luke 9:23 "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
God bless you, my brother
great encouragement for me today! thank you...
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