Prayer for John

Please pray for John Eichenberger. John was walking in lead position when he stepped on a land mine in Afghanistan. It blew him six feet into the air. Blew off his foot and lower log. Schrapnel penetrated his body. The punishment he took, saved the lives of the others walking with him.

His dad, my prayer partner from Portland, reports his attitude is so positive, that he ministers to others in the hospital who have lost limbs. He is on Facebook if you desire to follow his recuperation.

Pray with us that John will maintain a positive spirit, not becoming bitter or cynical and in tune with how God wants to bless him through this tragedy.

He has a son, Isaac, 6 years old, living with Dan and Shirley.

Where did it go?

I'm having to "practice what I preach." Rejoicing is a choice. My natural bent right now is to be very frustrated. I worked a few hours on summarizing Philippians 4, left it on the computer without saving it. Left the computer on last night. Came to the machine this morning and it had escaped into who knows where. Did a search. Two titles with the same name appeared. Both, the original writing. So, I'll start again. But it will be a while. Rejoice, Burwick. Rejoice.

Needs Met?

A great need: to get the little round ball into the little bigger round hole! Cascade, Idaho

Finishing our study of Philippians 4, verses 19 and 20 Paul tells us, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”

All my needs met. What does that mean? Simply, the context here is that Paul is thanking the folk from Philippi for sending him gifts that took care of him while he was imprisoned. The gifts appear to be monetary. So the implication is that God will take care of their monetary needs. The New Bible Commentary states: “The measure of God’s giving is infinitely greater than that of any human giving. God’s promise is to supply all that he sees we need, and not only out of but according to (in the measure of) His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Montana Gary came through like a charm. Allow me to share his comments. He has such a bright mind that you may need a commentary to understand his commentary!!! Any way, speak out, Gary.
“Philippians 4:19 (KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

“You make this too easy, Ray. You give away the answer to your “Need” question by the topics you addressed arriving at the final question. You went from harmony to joy to peace to thanksgiving to security to focus to contentment to our strength in Him. I suspect this was a trick question about “need” because we seldom think about these as our needs especially when we talk about all and riches.

The preceding verse, Philippians 4:18 (KJV) “But I have all and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God” sets us up for the rhetorical statement. It is obvious that Paul does not have ALL or RICHES in the context that we want to consider either of those words. We want all to include everything and riches to be stuff but Paul clearly is not addressing everything or stuff. He is also not talking of position, respect, authority among the world system. Philippians is written by Paul from prison in Rome where he has neither goods nor worldly position yet he says he has all and abounds, that he has learned to be content.

“Three key words: Supply, Need, Riches with three key origins: God, Glory, Christ Jesus.
Supply, to make full and often carries the idea of replenishing what is being used.
Need, what ought to be, proper, inherent in design, intended; necessary to fulfill intent
Riches, that which fulfills, furnishes, fullness; root is idea of that which permeates as an aroma fills throughout
Glory, that which expresses the dignity, character of, doxa; recognition of image and character

I read this as, “My God replenishes us as full as His use requires for meeting His intention. Our fullness is as the aroma of His character is in the anointing of Jesus to the Father’s purposes.”

I don’t see the popular spin that we get all we want but rather that God keeps us as full as is useful to fulfill His purpose in us. God is not such a pauper that His riches are limited to precious metals that man would crave after—after all, He uses gold for paving, pearls for gates, fantastic jewels for wall foundations. God is neither impressed nor impoverished by the common values of man—His innate value far transcends created minerals.

If we consider the values of God, the true heavenly values that we are to seek (“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”) we must go beyond the temporal, the temporary, the transitory and to that which lasts, which has been from the beginning and which will last for eternity. Hence we come back to the character of the Creator and the traits you discussed in the last couple weeks of blogs.

Harmony as God is One. We are to have harmony with Him and our brethren.
Joy in knowing Him and not in circumstance
Peace of heart in agreeing with His values.
Thanksgiving in what He provides, contentment in our place with Him, His provisions for us.
Security given of Him and not created by ourselves.
Focus upon His desires and means.
Contentment, satisfaction in His embrace of our life.
Strength not of ourselves but His abiding, sustaining presence.

The riches God focuses upon is recreating His character in us, showing forth the image of Jesus within us no matter what our material situation. It is in His character that we can express Him no matter our finances or physical conditions and circumstances. His character in us translates the image of Jesus into all cultures and situations no matter what the condition of the disciple. We do not have to be wealthy, healthy, witty or prominent to express the Image of God.

Ray, you said it well when you described how God supplied your need as “… an even deeper intimacy with God” when you lost your communion with Ann’s presence (death). It was not the same replenishing but it was divine. You are who you are with God today and able to express His fullness in you because you have experienced that fulfilling of the need at times when you had no other source and God continues to replenish you daily."

Thanks, Gary, for taking the time and energy to address this issue very thoroughly.

AS I do a quick rerun of this brilliant Chapter Four of Philippians, I am intrigued to make a more in-depth study of it. Ten themes stand out. We’ll hit a summary of the chapter tomorrow.

Needs met

The culmination to the Philippians four prescription for health is found in verses 19-20. “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”

Contentment, strength, all my needs met. Just part of the blessings awaiting those who are Jesus-followers. But, let's not end this study too quickly.

Something I’ve wrestled with is this. If God will supply all my needs, then why does Genesis tell us, “it is not good for man to be alone.” Or, Romans 12:4 that tells us “we really do need each other.”

May I leave you with this question and may I hear your suggestions on this? Sure would like to hear your thoughts. rburwick@mindspring.com And, Montana Gary, don’t let me down on this.

We’re going camping for the labor day weekend. Will check back with you all next week.

Strength

If peace of mind and a spirit of contentment isn’t enough blessing for the follower of Christ, there is more. Verse 13 of our Philippians four study indicates “For I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength.” Contentment, peace of mind and now God-given strength, described well in Isaiah 40:28-31.

“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.”

There is an end to human strength. Not so with God. “Where I am weak, He is made strong,” (2 Corinthians 12). Self-sufficiency is a common “sin” for most men. From a two-year-old’s “me do it mama,” to the adult “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mindset, we tend not to see our need for God’s strength… until, we are at the extremities of our capabilities – end of self!

Tim Tebow, the all-american quarterback of the Florida Gators is an exception. He has imprinted on his eye-shadow patches “Phil.4:13”, announcing to the world that as great as he is, he is functioning under both reserve power (his) and God’s power. Oh, that we could all see our need for God’s empowerment before we get to the end of self, how much pain we would avert.

As with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, our human weakness is an opportunity for the power of Christ to work through us. “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Anything God wants me to do, He’ll provide the strength for me to do it.

It has been said about the follower of Christ,

"God is who He says He is.

God can do what He says He can do.

I am who God says I am.

I can do all things through Christ.

God's Word is alive and active in me."

Contentment

Golfing doesn't produce contentment!!!

Continuing in Philippians four, verse 11 leads us to the next quality of a healthy person “…for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have,” indicating that contentment is a result of relational healing, of constructing a rejoicing spirit, of praying about everything with a grateful spirit. Contentment is a result of focusing on Godly thinking. “…for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”

Contentment, like an illusive, ethereal smoke ring, is so sought after through achievement and acquisition. To the follower of Christ, it is a product of a focused mind-set of rejoicing, amd prayer with gratitude.

As I reflect back on my years of three score and ten, contentment along with peace of mind and a joyful spirit are the most significant earthly benefits of being a disciple of Jesus.

Contentment isn’t a matter of being content with your situation in life and never trying to improve it. It’s a matter of being content with what you have and who you are — but realizing that we will always try to improve, no matter how happy we are. If we don’t, we have given up on life.

“Happiness is a Choice” is an excellent book to read, whose title I”d like to borrow here. Contentment is a choice. I’m sometimes tempted to think negatively about stuttering and Parkinson’s Disease. The focus then is on what I don’t have or what I’ve lost. “I can’t play basketball or racketball any more.” Or, “speaking is no longer a pleasant experience for me.” If I choose to dwell on those thoughts, discontent is the by-product.

I can choose to think, to focus, on what I do have, or have had (like the many years I had enjoying sports participation) and how God wants to use what I have and what I don’t have as tools to continue to transform me “into the likeness of Christ.”

It’s my choice. James 1:2-4 reminds us to rejoice in tough times because that kind of attitude during the stretching times is what builds our character.

“God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.” – (Elizabeth Barrett Browning.) God’s gifts are not always wrapped in attractive tissue paper. Contentment can even be achieved in tough times if the focus is “How does God want to use this in my life for my good, the good of others and for His glory.”

Contentment and happiness – a choice.

Focus

The next ingredient to mental health: focus. Philippians 4,Verse 8: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Even in adversity, if we keep our focus on who God is as our Father and on His good gifts to us, His children, we are steady, secure, and stable. I believe Isaiah 43 pertains to us:
“But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression,you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
…. because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.”

It has been almost ten years now – when my first wife, Ann, left this world to enjoy, with her perfect pitch, the music of the angels. What a great time for her. What deep water, a river of difficulty, a fire of oppression for her children and me. The doctors said her death through brain aneurysm was painless for her. Not so for us.

One of the results of her death was the loneliness I experienced. That led me to an even deeper intimacy with God, because as I went through “the deep waters” He made Himself real to me in a way I had not experienced before. His presence during the night hours in that lonely Dayton, Tennessee house was palpable. He became “as a wife” to me. He then gave me a beautiful gift in Theresa, my current wife.

Focus was key. Spotlight what was lost. Live in the past. Or, as the grief process was being handled, begin to focus on how God was going to come through for me, as described in Matthew 7:11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

What is your focus?