New Year's Tips from a Pauline Epistle

As we look forward to zealously pursuing the Lord in 2024, let us encourage and equip ourselves by gleaning four critical concepts from Philippians 4:

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:10-13)

1. Beware our human inclination in the coming year. Paul had to learn contentment, as it does not come naturally to man and is counter to culture.?
2. Prioritize being a practitioner, not an academic, of your faith in the days ahead. John Owen said, "The apostle does not say, I have heard, that in every estate I should be content: but, I have learned…Paul was a practitioner. Christians hear much, but I fear, learn little."
3. Prepare yourself now for God's 2024 classroom. Warren Wiersbe states, "How did Paul learn? Surely in God's classroom, the curriculum offering such classes as Discipline 101 and Tribulation 102; classes in which Paul had ample experience" (2 Cor. 11:26).
4. Rely on Christ. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life to faithfully pursue God's will and walk (Jn 15:16). As we labor FOR Christ this year, let us do so IN Christ's strength.