THINK TOGETHER
Are you content? (satisfied or happy with what you have, having enough)
READ TOGETHER
Philippians 4:13 is one of the most famous verses in the Bible. Here it is: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I've seen this verse written on the sneakers of famous basketball players. I've seen it as the banner on a famous photographer's website. When I was in the fifth grade my guitar teacher would quote this verse to me to remind me that I really can be a great guitar player someday (it didn't happen).
Sometimes people read this verse and think that it says that Jesus will help us do anything we put our minds to. Or that Jesus will make us good at what we do, or that he will help us accomplish all our dreams. But then we're just using Jesus like the genie in Aladdin, or like the fairy godmother in Cinderella.
One of the most important lessons that you can learn about reading your Bible is that you can't just read one verse by itself. You have to always read the other verses around it. So here are the verses right before Philippians 4:13.
Philippians 4:11-12. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
When Paul says I can do allthings through Jesus he means both the easy and the difficult things. The low and the abounding. The hunger and the plenty. Jesus doesn't take away all of our hard situations. Instead he helps us to trust him and love him in ANY situation. Good or bad. When you're connected to Jesus you can make it through anything because he is with you, loving you no matter what.
Because of Jesus everything will work out in the end.
With Jesus we can make it through anything today.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Watch the fairy godmother scene from Cinderella, or the Genie scene from Aladdin. Talk about how the fairy godmother and the genie changed the situation for Cinderella and Aladdin. but Jesus doesn't always change our situation. Sometimes he wants us to be content with knowing him even in the hard situation.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, whether I'm having a bad day or a good day you are always with me loving me no matter what. Thank you! Amen.
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