Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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A fragrant offering: giving that pleases God

Bible Reading:   Philippians 4

Key verse:  for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances ( Philippians 4 : 11b , NIV) 

DEVOTION

The Year was 2015 and Stephen Curry was the most valuable player ( MVP )  for the NBA Finals that also catapulted GSW ( Golden State Warriors ) to win the NBA championship since 1975. As young Stephen Curry was relishing the moment , he was surrounded by media reporters who was asking him all sorts of questions as the home crowd erupted in thunderous applause . One reporter approached Steph and asked him a very thought provoking question and that was ‘ Where does MVP Curry get all his skills to be the NBA most valuable player’ , to which Steph pointed to the tattoo in his left forearm that read ‘ I can do all this through HIM who gives me strength ( Philippians 4.13) . Steph is known to be professing Christian and instead of hogging the limelight , he choose to glorify God in that centerstage in the Oakland Stadium that historical evening. 
As we focus on today’s reading in the Book of Philippians Chapter 4 : 10-20 , on Paul teaching of contentment and how we find our greatest joy in garnering strength in Christ.  We know that Book of Philippians is Book where the word ‘ rejoice ‘ appears the maximum times in the New Testament.  However what we have to be reminded is Apostle Paul was in chains and awaiting trail in Rome as he had appealed to Ceaser as Roman Citizen and as prisoner Apostle Paul  found is ‘ the joy of the Lord is his strength’ 
Paul starts off in  verse 10 where Apostle Paul thanks the Church of Phillipe for the concern they have expressed for Paul as prisoner. However Paul shifts the focus and says that although Apostle Paul is in great need , he has learned to be content in whatever circumstances life puts him in.  As we can understand life in prison is no ‘ walk in the park’ , the life of prisoner is fraught with dangers , and the safety of the prisoner is concerning as there is risk of being tortured and killed.  Paul however continues to emphasize that being in need or in plenty , Paul draws inspiration from the same verse that drives Steph Curry and that is its Christ who powers Apostle Paul with strength and encouragement on daily basis. 
We discuss the theme of giving this week, our focus should not be in the state of our present condition , whether we have plenty or whether we are in dire need. We need to as we discussed in yesterday devotional , focused on the principal of giving and that is we give to God as God has blessed us. Our understanding should be predicated on that fact  that God will bless our giving and enlarge our lives to be ‘ cheerful givers ‘ . We could if we were in prison like Apostle Paul , complain about our miserable condition and forget all that is about us and dwell in our misery. This is where we learn from the life of Apostle Paul to be follower of Christ and spread the aroma of our faith and be cheerful givers and as Apostle Paul says in the Book of Philippians Chapter 2 ‘ shining lights in depraved generation ‘. 

PRAYER

Almighty and Gracious Lord , as we focus on the life of Apostle Paul and the contentment Paul  expresses , as he draws strength from Christ who powers him daily .. Allow us to be people that feel the contentment in Christ on daily basis. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“ In life , its not how much we give but its how much love we put into giving  ‘ – Sister. Mary Teresa .


Abraham Kurien, Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston, Texas.

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