Content

Today's morning revival was very enlightening. As I and the brothers pray-read Phil. 4:11-13 "Not that I speak according to lack, for I have learned, in whatever circumstances I am, to be content. I know also how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger, both to abound and to lack. I am able to do all things in Him who empowers me.", I enjoyed the speaking of the Lord in the experience of Paul. In fact, I am experiencing it these days.

By the Lord's sovereignty, I always believe in the unsearchable riches of Christ bestowed upon His children, us, not according to our need only, but much more according to His riches. And He is faithful to His word. And it has been true with me and my family since the day I was regenerated. And I also believe in caring for the need of the Lord's work and the saints; sometimes the Lord allows poverty among some saints for some reasons. And as much as the Lord provides and blesses, it is a pleasure to share with others and care for one another not only in words, but in deeds too, especially when it means emptying your pocket. 

It so turned out that I have been emptied out, not because of lack, but because of care for others, especially the saints and the Lord's work. And it is quite an experience to not have when you actually have, for what you have is all locked up with some one or some entities. In reality you have, but in practicality you do not have. And you trust in the Lord for what you have already but not realised. Yes, a true experience, indeed, a joyful one. No worry, no tension, but blissful trust int he Lord.

I have learned? perhaps, I am learning, in whatever circumstances I am, to be content! Lord, teach me more, how to be abased and how to abound; in everything and in all things, .. to be filled and to hunger, to abound and to lack. Lord, teach me these lessons of life. 

Through this experience the Lord is training me NOT to trust in mammon, event in material blessings that come from the Lord. Lest the blessings replace the Blessers. The blessings from the Blesser are for the Blesser Himself through the blessee! This reminds me of a classical hymn : Once It Was The Blessing (Stanza 1)

Once it was the blessing,

Now it is the Lord;

Once it was the feeling,

 Now it is His Word;

Once His gift I wanted,

  Now, the Giver own;

Once I sought for healing,

  Now Himself alone.

All in all forever,

Only Christ I'll sing;

Everything is in Christ,

And Christ is everything.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/513#ixzz23mS4MnzB