February – Remember God’s Blessings
February #1–Philippians 4:19
Remember how He has supplied your needs:
Philippians 4:19 is the conclusion of a train of thought begun by Paul earlier. I think to really understand what he is saying in verse 19, it is helpful to read the entire paragraph. Philippians 3:10-19 (NLT)
Paul’s Thanks for The Philippians’ Gifts
“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again! I know you’ve been concerned for me since I was imprisoned, but you didn’t have the chance to help me until now.”
“Not that I was ever really in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live with nothing or with everything, because I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or an empty one, with plenty or with little. The secret I have learned is that I can do all these things through Christ who gives me the strength.”
“Even so, you have done well to generously share with me in my present difficulty.”
“As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on to Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent financial help more than once. Don’t think I’m flattering you because I want another gift. On the contrary, I’m recounting your generosity before the Lord so that you will receive a reward for your kindness.”
“At the moment I have all I need—and even more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent to me by Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is pleasing andacceptable to God. And this same God who takes care of me will also supply all yourneeds from His storehouse of glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10-19
So, in conclusion, it appears that Paul is reassuring the Philippians that they can trust God to take care of their needs when they have generously, maybe even sacrificially?, given to meet his needs in his ‘difficult’ situation. Can you think of any times recently where God has met one of your needs after you have given to help someone else?
Count Your Many Blessings
An exercise that our pastor and others recommend is to sit down with a piece of paper and to recount how God has blessed you recently.
The purpose is to lead us to an attitude of thankfulness to God. Often we are not mindful of God’s many blessings toward us, so we are not as thankful to Him for His provision as we should be. If we don’t realize how much God has blessed us, we also may not trust in Him enough.
The exercise often starts slowly, but ask God to remind you of how He has blessed you by providing for your needs over the last month or so. Here’s a simple classic hymn to inspire you.
“Count Your Blessings”, by Timeless Hymns
Following are the three categories of basic life needs, plus the spiritual, and ten things in each to give you some ideas to reflect on. If more come to mind, add to the list.
In addition to thanking God for His general provisions, see if you can remember when God might have made a special provision for you recently, usually in response to a prayer request.
Cleanliness
Clothing
Exercise
Food
Health/healing
Money/income
Shelter
Sleep
Transportation
Water
Other ______________________________
Acceptance
Appreciation
Communication
Community
Entertainment
Family
Friends
Meaningful interaction/involvement
Recreation
Safety/Security
Other ______________________________
PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS
Achievement
Belonging
Encouragement
Enjoyment
Learning
Love
Meaningfulness
Peacefulness
Purpose
Understanding
Other ______________________________
Acceptance/Forgiveness by God
Fellowship with other believers
To give and receive
To experience and show God’s love
To minister and be ministered to
To pray and be prayed for
Repentance of sins
To serve and be served
Instruction from God’s Word
Worship of God (personal and corporate)
Other ______________________________
So, this week, Remember how God has supplied your needs!
And “Count Your Many Blessings, see what God has done…” FOR YOU!
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