Today’s New Covenant nugget is from Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
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 all this through Christ who strengthens me.
Paul said, “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.” – and then he shared his secret in verse 13… “I can do all this through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul’s secret to success, to sustainability and to living the blessed life in every situation, including unfathomable hardship was that he had unlimited access to the strength, ability, anointing and power of Jesus, and because of that access, he could live the blessed life, regardless of circumstances.
The Passion Translation says, “I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.”
The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
WHAT WAS PAUL SAYING?
He was not saying that he had learned the secret to evading hardship, he was saying that he had learned the secret to be blessed, to maintaining his joy and to being fully satisfied in the midst of hardship and well as in the midst of every situation that one may face in life.
The Lord did not deliver Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace, He blessed them ‘in’ the fire and they did not get burned, He blessed Daniel ‘in’ the lion’s den and he did not get eaten and He blessed Paul ‘in’ the prison!
Contentment and the total feeling of satisfaction on the mountaintop is easy, but being content and totally satisfied in prison, in pain and in lockdown is another level!
Paul shares his revelation in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10…
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, (in an effort to jeopardize my being raised up, or promoted) a thorn in the flesh was given to me (was appointed to me), a messenger of satan to buffet me (to beat me up), lest I be exalted above measure (to block my progress).
*Note… Whenever the Lord gives revelation, that revelation always leads to promotion, increase and going to another level. Because the revelations given to Paul by the Lord, Paul started operating on another level, so in order to block him and steal his promotion, a devil, a messenger of satan was assigned by the devil to harass Paul and to block his supernatural advance.
8 Concerning this thing (the messenger of satan) I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast (find joy) in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in weakness, (I consider my personal limitations an asset) in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (in His strength).
The Father’s answer to Paul’s prayer… “All you need Paul, is My grace… My grace gives you access to My strength, ability and might… and by the way, Paul… My strength is made perfect in human weakness! Because of My grace, personal limitations become assets!”
The Passion Translation says, “But He answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and My power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So, I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.
PAUL’S SECRET WAS KNOWING THAT HIS OWN LIMITATIONS WERE ASSETS THAT WOULD BECOME PORTALS TO GOD’S POWER AS HE STEPPED INTO GRACE AND PLACED HIS FAITH IN THE LORD!
PAUL’S SECRET TO SUCCESS WAS NOT TO INCREASE HIS LEADERSHIP ABILITY AND HIS DEPENDENCY ON HIS OWN ABILITY, BUT TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD’S SUPERNATURAL ABILITY WORKING THROUGH HIM AND DIVINELY ENABLING HIM WITH HIS POWER, ABILITY AND MIGHT!
WHEN YOU HIT AN IMPASSE, REJOICE, BECAUSE IT’S MIRACLE TIME!
CONFESSION…
“THE POWER AND ABILITY OF GRACE THROUGH CHRIST IS RELEASED BY FAITH WHEN I DO NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES IN THE NATURAL!
MY LIMITATIONS HAVE ACCESS TO HIS UNLIMITED ABILITY!
MY WEAKNESS IS A PORTAL TO GOD’S POWER
I AM READY FOR ANYTHING AND EQUAL TO ANYTHING THROUGH CHRIST, WHO INFUSES STRENGTH, ABILITY AND MIGHT INTO ME!
LIMITATIONS, LACK AND INABILITIES ARE NOTHING MORE THAN LAUNCHING PADS FOR MIRACLES.”
In His amazing love, Nick
