This past Sunday we looked at Philippians 4:10-13 which says

" I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me, but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content, whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." 

Being content is a process of shifting our attention away from things that discourage and defeat us and placing them onto things that truly satisfy. Those things are not temporal but eternal. Our attention can not stay on the things of this world in order for us to stay content.

 Paul teaches us through this passage that we must learn how to deal with the life that we have been given and really begin to rejoice in even the smaller blessings we receive from God. To be thankful for all we have! 

Every day God provides for us and makes sure we have what we need and many days, we fail to praise and thank Him for it. Paul made sure to be greatfull for the blessing he received from God and made sure to praise Him. Oh that we would be mindful to practice this as well! 

Being content is not a change of life situation but a change of heart and attitude towards our life situation!

We must begin to praise Him and thank Him for all that we have.

Learn to be content in every situation so that God will begin to change our life situation. All to often we want God to fix everything long before we have learned the lesson that He is trying to teach us. 

Lastly, It's impossible to be content and continue to press on unless there is a power source behind it. Paul makes note to remind the reader that It's through Christ who strengthens him that he is able to do all things. We must learn to rely on Him and allow Him to infuse us with His strength and power in order for us to master this attitude of being content. 

The Church is something that is living and breathing! Always moving and growing! Taking shape and constantly developing! As People of God we need to be ready to move and willing to change. We have to be willing to go and willing to allow God to move us in away where we can be most affective for the Kingdom of God.

The Church is not a building, a structure or something that stands still but it's people being changed and transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit. 

God continues to shape my thinking and continues to encourage me to make sure that we are doing all the right things that provide away for us to be a church that is on the move and making the most impact we can on this community. To make sure that we don't get hung up on the way we do things or the way things use to be, but have the attitude of Isaiah that encourages God to take us and move us to that next place. 

To be willing to allow God to change our thinking, our hearts and even our minds about the way we do things.

The willing are always moved first, the willing are always changed and transformed. The willing are always the people that God will use and do the unthinkable with because they give God permission to shape them and change them.

Isaiah 6:6-8 " Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said: Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, and your sin is atoned for. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said " Here I am. Send Me."

God has spared us, forgiven us and has given us new life. He has changed us so that we could live boldly for Him and make the most difference for His Name. God has given us every tool and opportunity to be great for Him. All we must do as individuals and as a church is to have this kind of attitude. Be Ready and Be willing!