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Category Archives: Spiritual Walk

Spiritual Maturity

06 Dec
Spiritual Maturity

I have been posting a series about the letter to the Colossian church. The Apostle Paul has been talking about his ministry to the body of Christ. His goal is the maturity of all believers.

Paul understood this aspect of his work as an apostle of Christ.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:28-29 NIV

That’s the goal of the ministry. All who are in leadership are here to present everyone – not just a select few – perfect and mature in Christ. This requires supernatural strength and wisdom.

We cannot hope to perform this on a merely human level. As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I need to yield to the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this great task.

The belief that this is impossible to achieve in our lifetime only serves to undermine the Lord’s goal for us. We need to recognize where He’s leading us to and cooperate with the Lord’s program for our development. After all, He’s bringing us on an incredible spiritual journey.

That’s exactly what the Lord taught His disciples.

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 NIV

This word, perfect, also means to be mature and complete. This is God’s desire for His people. That we attain to the same level of maturity as Christ.

The unfortunate thing is that many teach that this is impossible. Over and over, we are told that to walk like Jesus is beyond our reach. I don’t buy into this type of reasoning.

When I see the lives of the Apostles in the book of Acts, I don’t get the idea that they’re immature. I see the same signs and wonders that were performed by the Lord. I see thousands of people drawn to, and changed by, the Word of God. If it was possible for them, then the same is true for us – if we’re willing to walk the same road they walked to get there.

One of the key ingredients to us reaching this level is the ministry gifts God has given to the body of Christ. In talking about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, Paul said that they were given as gifts to the church. They have a very clear purpose.

…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:12-13 NIV

The goal of the five-fold ministry is the maturing of the saints. The level of that maturity is beyond question. It is that we would live and minister as the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to write these words if it were not possible? We need to stop making excuses and start working towards the walk of maturity.

Question: What would the ministry of a spiritually mature believer look like?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 6, 2023 in Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Faithfulness is the Key

01 Dec
Faithfulness is the Key

As we go through Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we’ve been talking about the supremacy of Christ. He is Lord over all of Creation. He’s the supreme Commander – the Head of the church.

Now Paul looks at our relationship to Him.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

Colossians 1:21 NIV

Things didn’t start out too good for us. We began our lives as enemies of God. Everything in our beings wanted the opposite of God’s will for us. Thank God the story doesn’t end there!

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Colossians 1:22-23 NIV

Because of the work on the cross, Christ brought us back into right standing with God. Being fully God and fully man, He was the only one who could bring about such a great redemption.

Now I can enter the presence of God without fear, anytime I want to. Because of Christ, I now can stand before Him holy, clean, and without any accusations.

There are many who want to emphasize this point. They push the fact of our position in Christ. Some take this a little too far.

They almost get into the same ditch as the Gnostics. They feel that they can live however they want and still be considered holy, clean, and without condemnation. But, if you read this verse closely, you’ll find an “if”.

This is a big “if.” We all like to think that we’re unconditionally free from accusation. We quote that there is now no condemnation in Christ. But these verses are all contingent upon us continuing our walk of faith, trusting the Lord’s will for us. It’s not about me fulfilling my plan and desires.

On the other hand, if you’re truly walking in faith, then you’ll be obedient to what the Lord desires for you. You won’t be off doing your own thing, trying to fulfill your own wants and desires.

If you’re really trusting God, then you love Him and His ways. Unfortunately, with many it’s only lip service.

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 20:6 NIV

It’s easy to say that you love the Lord. The real question is; are you faithfully carrying out His will? It doesn’t matter how spiritual you make it sound. The only true sign of unconditional love is faithfulness to the plan God has set out for you. Apart from that, all your claims of “loving God” are merely empty words.

God’s people are a supernatural kingdom under the direct authority of a sovereign Lord. It’s not up to us to choose where and for how long we will work. It’s the King of kings who decides our destiny and, to tell you the truth, I have more faith in His ability to promote me than in my own.

What I need to do in the tough situations is to stand my ground and let the Lord work His will through me. Faithfulness will bring God’s reward.

Question: How has God worked through you in the past?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on December 1, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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Out of Darkness

20 Nov
Out of Darkness

We’re continuing our walk through the book of Colossians. Paul has been telling them of the power that’s available through their relationship with Christ. We’re no longer a part of the world’s system.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14

This is the key to most of our Christian walk. We were under the authority of darkness. The word authority basically means permission to act. Now we have been brought over into the King-dom of Christ. That’s the dominion of the King – the area of His Lordship.

When I was saved, I placed myself under His authority – in His kingdom. That’s why we can do things, and trust God for things that the world can’t.

All the things Paul talked about in the preceding verses are ours as a part of God’s kingdom. That’s why we strive to live worthy of that kingdom.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…
1 Peter 1:1

In the opening statement of his letter, Peter describes the believers that he’s writing to. He tells us that we’re strangers in this world. The word he used literally means aliens alongside, resident foreigners. We may live here, but we’re no longer a part of this system.

This is a theme throughout the New Testament. We know that Hebrews, chapter 11, is the faith chapter. Towards the end of this chapter, the writer makes a comment about all the Old Testament saints he lists.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Hebrews 11:13

They were all still living by faith when they died. But more than that, they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. We need this mindset. We do not belong to this world. This truth is emphasized over and over again in the Scripture.

However, living in the world while being citizens of heaven places us in a unique position.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20

Because of our position, in this world but not of this world, we have diplomatic immunity. We operate as diplomats – where I am, my kingdom is. Wherever I am, the rules of my government are in operation. That’s why every believer should endeavor to understand how God’s Kingdom operates.

I live in the world, but I don’t belong to this world. I live by a different set of rules. I live on a different level.

There are a lot of things that are going on in the world – who’s in power, the economy, the weather, etc. These things are important, and I need to understand what’s happening, but they don’t determine what I do.

That’s because I’m a part of a different kingdom. We are a part of the kingdom of God.

Question: How does being a citizen of God’s kingdom affect your daily life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 20, 2023 in Encouragement, Faith, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Spirit of Power

17 Nov
Spirit of Power

As we go on through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, he’s telling them about the power of God at work in us. It’s the Holy Spirit within us who’s doing the work.

Did you know that it’s what’s on the inside that counts? The things that are happening around us don’t determine our destiny. We need to learn to live above our circumstances.

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:11-12 NIV

One of the things that the Holy Spirit desires to do in us is to strengthen our inner man. He wants to give us the power we need to stand our ground for Christ.

This life is very draining on people. I don’t believe there’s any such thing as an easy life. We all have to go through struggles and trials.

We look at the lives of others and think that they have it easy. That’s only because the things that get me down don’t affect you in the same way. Conversely, the things that you’re having trouble with don’t bother me at all. We all experience things differently.

That’s why everyone needs an abundance of endurance, patience, and joy. Those are qualities we seem to lose so easily. But they are the things that the Holy Spirit wants to equip us with.

Endurance. This comes from a Greek word that means to remain under. Sometimes we have to go through experiences that are uncomfortable. We feel like giving up. The Holy Spirit can give us the power to see it through to the final victory.

Patience. This one sounds the same as endurance but it’s a little different. It literally means to be long passioned. In other words, it’s the ability to go through a hard time without “having a meltdown.” Sometimes in the midst of problems we say or do things that we’re sorry about for the rest of our lives. The Lord wants to keep us from making these kinds of mistakes.

Joy. Joy is an interesting concept in the New Testament. It’s very different from the emotion of happiness. Happiness is based upon what happens. Joy is based upon the knowledge that you’re in Christ and nothing can touch you without His permission. Therefore, you can have a positive outlook on life because Jesus has the final say.

The fact is, apart from His Spirit we would give up too soon. I want to see the finish line and cross it with strength. I don’t want to barely finish my race then collapse in exhaustion. I want to enter Heaven with my head held high, knowing that the Lord has brought me through victoriously.

To finish strong, I must rely on His strength for my life. I must come to the realization that “without Him I can do nothing.” It’s a humbling experience to tell the Lord that you need Him. But that’s why Scripture teaches that if you humble yourself before Him, He will exalt you.

Draw on the power of the Holy Spirit today. Spend quality time in His presence and watch what the Lord can do in a life that’s yielded before Him. Make use of His promises. Let Him grant to you His endurance, patience, and joy.

Question: How have you seen the Lord’s strength working in you recently?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 17, 2023 in Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Power to be Worthy

15 Nov
Power to be Worthy

We’re continuing to study the book of Colossians. In my last post, I talked about the power of God in our lives producing spiritual fruit.

It seems that I talk a lot about the power of God in these posts. I believe that God is restoring His church to a walk of power in our generation. Here’s something to consider in talking about this power.

First of all, let me remind you what true power is all about. Power is the ability to produce change. If there’s no change, then there’s no power. There’s no way around it. If the power of God is manifest, then lives are changed.

As I begin to walk in this power, something new begins to happen. As my life begins to change, I start to get the world’s attention. They begin seeing something working in my life that’s beyond my ability.

It’s this very change that will attract people to Christ. They see the fruit of the spirit in me. At that point I will not need to convince them how awesome the Lord is – they’ll see it for themselves.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…
Colossians 1:10-11

The first two indicators are pretty much self-evident and are the ones that are always emphasized. They are bearing fruit and growing in our knowledge of God. That’s what I talked about last time.

But what about the next line? One of the ways we’re to live a worthy life is to be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. To live worthy of the Lord is to walk in power.

We’re not to just talk about power. We must demonstrate the power of the living God. In order to do this, I must know Him in His power. So, I must be in an intimate relationship with Him. Only then will I experience His power flowing through me.

That’s where we miss it sometimes. We want the easy way.

“Just give me a prayer formula that always works.”

It’s not a formula, but intimacy with the Holy Spirit. That’s how we access the power of God in our lives. We have to take the time to build a relationship with Him.

This is what the world needs to see in us. Not a bunch of people who merely talk about how good God is. They need to see His goodness, power, and love in action. That’s what will draw people to Christ in these last days.

Paul summarizes this concept later in this chapter.

To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:29

That was Paul’s priority, to know Christ in the riches of His power. This leaves me with a choice. Now that I know what true power is…do I want it? If I do, then I need to plug into the source – Christ Himself.

It’s this power that produces the endurance and patience I need, in order to live a victorious life for Christ. That’s what spending time in His presence brings us. That’s what we should be striving for.

Question: Am I willing to do whatever it takes to walk in God’s power?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 15, 2023 in Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Fruit Production

13 Nov
Fruit Production

We’re going through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last post we saw that Paul was praying for them. He wanted these people to be filled with God’s knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

Now he continues with that thought.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…

Colossians 1:10 NIV

This is a very interesting section of Scripture. It tells us to walk worthy of the Lord. That should be the desire of every Christian. Also, we should want to please the Lord.

Sometimes we’re given the idea that God is pleased with all of His children. However, that’s not the case. Being pleased is an emotional response to something a person does. The Bible talks about the fact that we could grieve the Lord. That’s the opposite of pleasing.

We should desire to bring enjoyment to the Lord. So, how does Paul describe this worthy and pleasing way of life? He starts by saying that it involves bearing fruit in what we do.

Paul emphasizes the fruit throughout his writings. He explains exactly what they are in his letter to the Galatian church.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

This is one of the most popular passages with many Christians. Unfortunately, many believers have no clue what this section is actually saying.

What are fruit? Fruit are those yummy balls of sweet goodness that hang from various kinds of trees. How do they get there? Does the tree have to sweat and fret and work hard to push them out? Does a tree try and fail and get frustrated and try again to do better?

Of course not! Fruit are a natural result of being an apple tree. They are produced simply because the tree is healthy, and has access to everything it needs (air, minerals, water, and sunshine).

This is something that many Christians miss. They think that producing the fruit of the spirit only comes by hard work and a lot of will-power. That’s not what God intended. The fruit mentioned here will not be produced by reading the Bible or going to church. They will not even come by will power or guilt. These things are the fruit of the SPIRIT.

The fruit of the spirit are the natural product of a life lived in the realm of the spirit. As our spiritual relationship with the Lord grows, then so will the fruit. They will not be from our strength.

As a matter of fact, if you understand what these different fruits are, then you’ll know that you can’t fake them. You can’t be producing them on a habitual basis without the power of the Holy Spirit working in you.

That’s why Paul goes on in the Colossian verse, to say, he wants them to grow in their knowledge of God. It’s time spent in the spirit that gives us the ability to know God. I’m not saying we know about God, but a first-hand personal knowledge of the Lord.

The closer we get to God, the more we know Him, the greater the amount of fruit we’ll see in our lives.

Question: What’s the evidence of godly fruit seen in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 13, 2023 in Ministry, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

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Stay on the Clear Path

10 Nov
Stay on the Clear Path

We’re continuing our look at the book of Colossians. Paul started this letter by commending the faith and love that they’re walking in. Now he talks about who they learned it from.

You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Colossians 1:7-8 NIV

What we need to know about this epistle, is that in all probability, Paul did not establish the Colossian church. While he was in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul won Epaphras to the Lord. With Paul as his mentor, Epaphras established churches in Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossi – cities in Asia Minor.

At this point, Epaphras is the pastor of the Colossian church. It’s been a while since Paul was in this area and “wolves” were creeping into the churches with false doctrines. These doctrines eventually became known as Gnosticism.

To put it simply, Gnostics taught that everything in the material world is evil. God cannot touch it. But he can touch an angel a little lower than Himself. So, a large number of spiritual beings were created, a little lower than the one before. At the bottom of the spiritual ladder is Jesus.

This was a blatant denial of the Lord’s deity. They also taught that since the body is evil, it will be destroyed, so it doesn’t matter what your body does. You can fulfill all your fleshly desires with no consequences. Clearly this teaching was devastating the church.

Because of this, Epaphras goes to Rome to consult with Paul who then writes this letter. Because he’s dealing with this subject, Paul gives us one of the clearest pictures of Christ in this small letter.
Knowing all of this, helps us to understand Paul’s next statement.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1:9 NIV

The word, Gnostic, comes from the Greek word for knowledge. These heretics felt they had a knowledge that was above all other believers. Paul is letting the church know that there’s a knowledge even higher than what these wolves think they have.

Paul says that he’s praying for them. He’s expecting God to fill them up with the full knowledge of His will. This is a supernatural knowledge that goes beyond the normal human experience.

But, even more than that, God wants to give them all spiritual wisdom and understanding. These are two of the greatest gifts we can receive from God.

Wisdom is the ability to take the knowledge we have and use it to make right decisions. Understanding is the ability to take everything we see and put it together in order to understand the whole scope of what we’re experiencing.

What God has for us in Christ, is more powerful than anything these Gnostics were offering the church. So often, believers are looking for a shortcut to blessings. Unfortunately, these always lead to a dead end.

We need to keep to the path that the Lord has given us in His Word. That’s the true path to a blest and victorious life.

Question: What wisdom and understanding have you received from the Lord recently?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 10, 2023 in Faith, Spiritual Walk, The Church, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Growing Faith and Love

08 Nov
Growing Faith and Love

In my last post we started looking at Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. He was commending them for the faith and love that was manifest in them.

…because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints – the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

Colossians 1:4-6a NIV

In these verses, Paul shows us where this faith and love comes from. If we want to walk in them, then it will be no different for us. There are two things that cause faith and love to spring up in us.

We’re told that they come through the hope of what’s reserved for us in Heaven. In order to understand this, you need to know what the word, hope, means in the Scripture. It’s not talking about a blind wishful thinking.

In our society we say things like, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” It has no basis in fact. We’re simply voicing what we’d like to happen.

That’s not biblical hope. The Greek word used in Scripture means an expectation. It’s something that, based upon God’s Word, we fully expect and look forward to. In 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about these as eternal qualities.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

When we walk in the expectation of what God will accomplish, then faith and love are the natural results. But how do I get that kind of expectation?

Paul reminds them that they received it when they heard the Word of truth from the Gospel. This is key to us walking in the hope of what’s reserved for us in Heaven.

As we sit under anointed preaching and teaching, we hear Good News. We receive something we’ve never had access to before. As it does its work in us, hope – the expectation of God’s grace – is born in us.

Then, when we learn what our calling is all about, we walk in the faith and obedience to that Word. But, more than that, calling is about ministry to others. God starts to place a love in our hearts for the people around us.

This is what the Colossian Christians experienced. They learned to listen to, believe, and obey God’s Word. It’s how we should follow in their footsteps.

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.

Colossians 1:6b NIV

Paul makes it clear that it’s the Word of truth in that Gospel that produces fruit. It’s not my good intentions, will-power, or work ethic. The fruit of the spirit can only come as a result of the Word working in me.

This is why it’s so important to hear godly, anointed preaching and teaching. And it’s not just a matter of hearing it. You need to lay hold of the truth. You must come to the point of understanding how it applies to your life.

That’s where the blessing of faith and love is born. When we hear, understand, and obey the Word of God, a whole new world of spiritual growth opens up to us.

Question: How have you seen faith and love grow in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 8, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Power of God, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Colossians Begins

06 Nov
Colossians Begins

In my last post, I finished my series on Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. I’ve been systematically going through the New Testament in the order that the Holy Spirit revealed it to the church.

I started with the four foundational books – James, First Thessalonians, Galatians and Mark. The next thing on the Holy Spirit’s agenda was to inspire books that dealt with our personal walk with the Lord. These books include Second Thessalonians, First and Second Corinthians, Romans, and Luke.

After that, the Lord gave us books dealing with our corporate walk. We need to understand life as a church. These epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

The end of the book of Acts finds the Apostle Paul standing trial at Rome. This was his first Roman imprisonment. It seems that he had his own apartment while under house arrest.

It was during this time that these books were written. They are also called the prison epistles. It probably gave Paul a lot of time reflect on what it means for the body of Christ to be a living organism. We’re not just a social organization.

In this post I’ll start the book of Colossians.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints…

Colossians 1:1-4 NIV

Paul starts this letter with a commendation for the church. They’re obviously doing something right in their walk with the Lord.

The apostle says that he’s heard throughout the church community that the Colossians are known for their faith and love. That’s a big plus. Actually, it’s what we all should be striving for.

That’s because these two things, faith and love, are the two non-negotiables in the kingdom of God. Throughout the Scripture we see the command to have both of these in place.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

It’s not just hard to serve God without faith – it’s impossible. Also, it’s not simply enough to believe in God. You have to grasp a faith that sees His way as the best way of life. There’s no way to please God without this kind of faith.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV

Just as important, is love. The Bible makes it clear that even if you have faith, without love you are nothing. You must have love and faith working together to serve God acceptably.

That’s why Paul’s commendation of this church is so good. They’re operating as the body of Christ should be.

Question: How do you see faith and love at work in your Christian walk?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 6, 2023 in Encouragement, Faith, Ministry, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Content But Not Satisfied

01 Nov
Content But Not Satisfied

As we go through the book of Philippians, we’re coming to the last part of it. Paul is now giving some personal thoughts that let us know his attitude about life. We should follow his example of looking to Christ.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Philippians 4:10-11 NIV

We need to remember that this is a letter to a church that has supported Paul throughout his ministry to this point. It’s a letter of thankfulness for how faithful they’ve been.

Here, he’s letting them know that he understands that even though they are constantly concerned about him and in prayer for him, they can’t always show it. He wants them to realize that it’s not a problem for him. He’s not writing because he wants another offering. He just wants to encourage them.

That’s important for us to hear. Too often I’ve heard ministries on TV or radio begging for finances. “We need your offering right now or we’ll have to shut down the ministry. You need to give sacrificially.” What does that even mean?

What kind of God do you serve? My God will supply everything I need for my life and ministry whether you give me anything or not. Beyond that, I don’t expect you to give “sacrificially”. I only want you to give what the Lord, Himself lays upon your heart.

Paul gives us a great truth in this section. He says that he has learned by experience, to be content. That brings me to two words we need to understand. That’s the difference between being content and satisfied.

Content speaks about what you have right now. You’re able to be blessed and thankful about the place God has you. You’re content in Christ, right here, right now.

Satisfied is very different. The root of that word means that you’re all filled up – you can’t receive anymore. That’s something we should never feel as we walk with God.

I always want to increase in Christ. I want to grow in maturity and continue to receive all that He has prepared for me. So, in that sense, I will never be satisfied until Christ returns. I believe every Christian should be content, but not satisfied. That’s where Paul was.

We see that in his next statement.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

Even though he’s content where he is, Paul knows that God has more prepared for him. This is the spirit of gratefulness that the apostle walked in. He thanked God for what he already received. But, knowing the things still needed, he had faith that God would never fail him.

We need that same spirit of faith. Too often we spend our time focusing on what we lack. We get anxious or even get mad at God. We start complaining to Him, asking why He’s taking so long to meet our need.

It’s funny, but there have been many times when I’ve experienced that scenario in my life – worried about the future or voicing my frustration with God. And, each time, once the Lord finally answers my prayers, I’ve had to admit that His timing was perfect.

Looking back, I saw that I had no need to worry or fret. God had everything under control. He knows the end from the beginning, and I don’t. So, I have to learn, like Paul, to be content where I find myself and let God work out the details of my future.

Truly, I can do everything that the Lord has called me to do as He provides the strength in me to accomplish it. I don’t have to come up with it on my own. I just need to walk in the faith and contentment that comes from knowing the Lord personally.

Question: How content are you in your present walk with God?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on November 1, 2023 in Encouragement, Faith, God's Provision, Ministry, Power of God, Spiritual Walk

 

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