Philippians(Phil) 4:13, by Pastor Bee Bee

The famous verse used by all, because its a verse that gives strength and assurance to every Christian. Sadly, Pastor Bee Bee showed us at chapel that it is interpreted or use it wrongly.

Philippians 4:13 (New King James Version)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When she meant wrongly, she doesn't mean that its wrong for us to use it, but how we use it.

The reason is because Phil 4:13 cannot be read alone, it goes hand-in-hand together with verse 12.

^(NJV)12 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.

^(NIV)12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Verse 12 is about how Paul learns how to be happy even though his suffering, and that in his weakness he is strong in Christ. It doesn't matter whether he was in prison and is in a terrible state but God's works are strong when he is the weakest.

Everything is connected. How we think and feel will cause us to be just that or to act as that.

When we say through Christ who strengthens me, it means that Christ has to work through us, not we work then Jesus will do the miracle. No, not our way, God's way.

We use Phil 4:13 in such a abusive way. We think that, "Man my teacher is giving a lot of crap, or my boss thinks I'm his slave. But no worries! I'll just go alone and Jesus will give me strength to help me alone the way!!" How can Christ give us strength when we are not in accord with Him?

The meaning of Phil 4:13 is to let God work in you. That in times of trouble you seek Him, and you ask Him for strength and how to do it His way. What way is God's way?

God's way is to be like Jesus, the more we are like Jesus, the more we are on the right road.

Why be like Jesus?

Jesus is the perfect example on how as students or everyone needs to be. His attributes should be planted deep into our lives.

It is also important to let God work in your whole life, not part work or part family. Neither part emotionally and part physically. You need to open all your compartments and let God do His wonders. So that our lives is through Christ. You see how it works? To gain strength is to have our lives through Christ, to be Him and to have Him through us or in us to "change us".

Change, thats what everyone needs. To change into the right way with God.

What type of change in our lives? A change whereby, our methods, ways, and thoughts became like Jesus' methods, Jesus' ways, Jesus' thoughts.

Self-actualization needs to take place here. Self actualization means to be yourself, and to be your best! So be like Jesus, try to live your life like Him, giving it your best. When you give your best, that is Excellence. Not being number 1, thats how the world thinks, but to give it your best.

Excellence is God's eyes. So Actualize your life in Christ.

Christ's strength means His way.

"Christ in me, and I in Christ"

Be empowered to live a life in Christ.

Phil 4:12-13

Sidenote*

I still owe Suffering by Sis. Stephanie and last Sunday's message, but I should be able to do it by tonite cause I'm FWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ^^V