03/10/2013 - TO BE CONTENT IN WHATEVER STATE WE ARE

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Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Philippians 4:11

Everyone should examine themselves every day to check whether or not they are firm in the Lord. The enemy goes to any length to get us out of our position in the Son of God, and many get carried away by his temptations. Everything that does not come from the Most High and contradicts the Word should not even be admitted in your thoughts because whatever you think today is what you will be tomorrow. Therefore, if you allow wrong thoughts to arise in your mind, you will become a sinner.

The Lord wants us to be steadfast in our faith and live in a holy and pleasing way (I Thessalonians 4:3), for in this way the enemy will find no place to dwell in us. He who, for example, got carried away by some forbidden passion – and still feels that it could become something real – should seek in the Lord the purification of his mind, desires and dreams and the Lord will purify him because of the blood of Jesus that shed for our sanctification.

The Lord wants His Body – the Church – to be always holy. For this reason, those who decide to do God’s work should be helped as much as possible. The saved have their name written in the Book of Life, therefore they have to be helped to fulfill the mission they were given and then not only will they be blessed, but also all those who were called to fulfill God’s plan. A strong brother who is firm in the Almighty is a blessing in our lives.

Always rejoice in the Lord (Isaiah 61:10), otherwise you will become bitter and because of your bad temper the devil somehow manages to affect other people. If everyone learned to live victoriously, the other members of the Body of Christ would be successful too. Our righteousness should become known to all because the Lord is near. It is important to point out that he who is always out of control makes others get out of control as well.

Do not be anxious for anything; if you need something, ask the Father. May only prayer and supplication with thanksgiving come out of your mouth so that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guards your hearts and your minds in Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7)! Then your thoughts will always be focused on what is true, noble, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and virtuous (verse 8). Thus, you will become invincible.

This is the kind of victorious Church that pleases the Lord. Jesus paid a high price for us to be the image of His glory. We must imitate the example of those who, in biblical times, pleased the Lord by the way they served Him. Believe: if the way we live is pleasing to our God, He will undoubtedly satisfy the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). So, dear reader: put your hands to work!

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares