Stability, deep inner peace

"One of the more valuable emotions is the emotion of contentment and, surprisingly, it's one that's learned!

"It’s that emotional stability. Rather than being up and down, over here, over there, bouncing off like a golf ball on a tile bathroom, it’s emotional stability that comes from that renewed mind. ‘Dependence on Christ as enough.’ It comes from depending on Him as your life.

“If you want a title for Philippians you put down Philippians 3:14 ([14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus) and you’ve got it because the book is about pressing toward the mark. Pressing toward that identity God's given us in Christ for the prize of the high-calling. What’s the prize? ‘Christ in you the hope of glory.’ Having His life be your life.

“When Paul comes to the end of all of the discussion and focuses on this issue of contentment, that’s the goal to which all of the things in Philippians are designed to bring you in the details of your life. It’s that deep inner peace; that sense of the supernatural sufficiency of who you are in Christ.

“It’s not just a bunch of doctrine--we’re talking about the life that I live. The attitudes that I have and the relationships; my marriage, my home, my grandchildren, my job, my recreation life . . . In all of my relationships, in all of my emotions.

“It’s that stability to live in all of that with an understanding of my dependence of Him being my life. Being enough. Being the treasure. Being ,‘For to me to live is Christ,’ and knowing to die is just to bring that into ultimate reality.

“The Philippians developed personal compassion. They put the needs of others above the wants of themselves. They developed a generous spirit, because when you begin to release the very thing that consumes you (money, in this case) . . . when you let it go, you develop the ability to give. That destroys the compulsion to get because it’s the opposite of it. That happens when you do what verses 17-18’s talking about—you develop an eternal perspective.

[17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
[18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

“You come to the place where you realize your spiritual and financial decisions are literally joined at the hip. EVERY decision you make about things, relationships and money and emotions—all of those decisions are really spiritual decisions that have an eternal impact and can either bring honor and praise to God or destroy your testimony.

“You see, our treasure—the thing we invest our talents, time and money to—reveals and directs our heart. You remember Jesus said: ‘Where a man’s treasure is there will his heart be also.’ Now that’s a principle anywhere in the Bible.

“We unconsciously tell God what standard of living we’re willing to live at. What standard of relationships we’re willing to have. What standard of emotional life we’re willing to put up with.

“I learned a secret about that years ago--if there was an area in my life I noticed needed attention; maybe it was neglected. I learned that if I would take that area of my life and just begin to focus some of my time and treasure toward it. Whatever it is, you know what, your heart will follow. Because your treasure directs your heart. It’s that powerful a thing!"

(new article tomorrow)