Fw: the secret

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Rob Smith <toanosmith@yahoo.com>
To: Rob Smith <rsmith@mycwa.com>
Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 7:33 AM
Subject: the secret

Philippians 4:12 "I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

-

Finding the secret of successful living...sounds like a pretty great thing!  Paul found out that the real challenge of life isn't what it appears.  It appears that the challenge of living is having enough stuff... food, clothing, shelter and enough encouragement, acceptance and approval from people to make a go of it.  But in Philippians chapter 4 he tells us that he's learned to separate provision from performance.  He has reached the conclusion that whether he has a lot or a little he can do what needs to be done and that is because the real provision comes from God, who provides all that is really needed to do what is really needed.

-

He's learned that the secret is we really only have one need and that is to trust in the one who provides not only for our needs but gives us our purpose. 

-

Paul's purpose seems to be captured more from a passage in the previous chapter: Philippians 3:^10 "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

-

The secret is out...spread the word.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith