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And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
This scripture has been ringing in my ear for months, but never really ‘studied’ it or, if I’m being honest, even really thought about it much. But, what a magnificent scripture! So, going back a few verses, it ALL speaks literally to my soul!
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Philippians 4:17, 18.
In vs. 17 Paul talks about NOT seeking the gift, but he desires the FRUIT! Can I get a big giant AMEN right here!!
Ya see, the satisfaction of Paul’s material needs was neither the reason nor the measure of his joy. Content: The Stoics used this word to describe a person who was self-sufficient in all circumstances. In contrast, though he uses the Stoic work, Paul expressly disclaims mere self-sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5; 9:9). His sufficiency is in Christ, whose peace and purpose he enjoys regardless of life’s circumstances. (Philippians 4:13).
Incredible. That’s just it, He is all we need.
Ya know, when the Lord told me to sell all my belongings and rent my house out, after only living there for a year and finally getting it exactly how I wanted it; decorated just how I liked, painted, wallpapered, and all the things I loved…everything was ‘just right’ in my world hahaha! Then, the Lord thought that was really cute…then He said now get rid of it all! Insert mind-blown emoji right here. I did what He asked me to do, then I loaded up my car and a small U-Haul trailer and moved to Alabama. I had no idea what that looked like, I had no clue what I was doing, and honestly, I really still don’t, but I do know that I’m obeying and God is honoring that. I don’t have a job, or any income other than what I receive from the rental of my home. I didn’t plan things out, I didn’t think about what it would look like, it never even crossed my mind! But let me tell you, HE HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE! I walked into this season being completely consecrated to Him and He has taken care of everything.
I don’t even know how to explain it, He is so good.
I remember several years ago, well, 3 years ago, when I started my mentorship with my Susan, one of the first things she said to me was, “you gotta find your 12 Jennifer.” At that time it didn’t mean that much to me, and didn’t really understand what that would look like, but it has stayed at the forefront of my mind over these last few years and now I understand. See, I had to move away, and get rid of all the ‘things’ so I could run to Him and pursue all that He has for me and I have (present tense because I’m still in it) to be completely reliant on JUST HIM. He is my daily manna, and He provides me ravens for nourishment. But in order to do what He wants me to do for the Kingdom, in finding my 12, I must be sustained by ONLY HIM, not thinking about where my next meal is coming from, not thinking about how much gas is in my car, if I have enough makeup, botox, or the best skincare, or even the cutest most fashionable clothes. Heck, at this point I live in jeans and t-shirts and I’m totally okay with all of it!!
**Please Note**
For those of you (my mother, mostly) out there that are thinking that I’m starving or don’t have shelter hahaha! I am totally fed, I have everything I need.
See, I wasn’t sure really what I would say to people when they would ask me what I’m doing, or what I would be doing. Honestly, I’m not doing anything but getting training! I’m on an assignment, and I have no idea what that assignment is, I’m just following what the Lord has asked of me. With that being said, I can say that I’m kind of a missionary. The Lord showed me that actually, yesterday! I asked Him how am I a missionary!? Well, let me just put the definition of missionary right here… Just for you haha!
Missionary:ย also known as ‘sent one’ signifies being commissioned or dispatched on a mission by a higher authority, often implying a specific task or responsibility. Websters definition: a person undertaking a mission and especially a religious mission.
In Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples, “All authority has been given Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
Just yesterday, I went into the kitchen and was chatting with my cousin, Angela telling her about the financial things going on…I then said to her, “I guess this is what it’s like being a missionary,” not really even realizing what I was talking about, when she responded, “Yes!” That kind of freaked me out a little bit, not gonna lie! I never in a million years would ever think of myself as that. But then I look back on what I have given up, what I’m doing, how I’m being educated in the Word of God by the One who wrote it!
The Lord has me super low with lots of quiet time, abiding, stillness, not a lot of words and actually…. I’m not mad about it!! I am having the time of my life with Him!! This death I’m going through daily along with lots of refining fire is the absolute best! I have the most peace and joy I do believe I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m not even with my grandkids!! haha imagine that! That’s how we know it’s JUST JESUS!!
Ya know, it’s so crazy to me, when we are being even more-so refined and, when we don’t throw our will on the ‘plan’ and the Lord gets all control things really work together really well! It’s like I don’t even realize that I’m being refined and then He shows me later what is happening and what is going on and it’s then actually kind of refreshing to be burned and to die to ones self! Let me give a little example of my most recent refinement…
So, there’s a group of 5 ladies that are part of a team going to Zambia this August, Angela and I are 2 of them. We started a little prayer group one night out of the week, just the 5 of us to pray over the trip and the time we will be there. Let me just say, this is how important it is to be Spirit led and to really listen to Him. When it was my turn to pray, the Lord had already given me the scripture, and I literally have it written in my Bible, but guess what, I didn’t say it, I didn’t pray that, nor did I even go in that direction! I grabbed my own scriptures and kind of forced a prayer (I see it now). The chatter afterwards kind of made a turn in the wrong direction. It wasn’t bad and it all still glorified Him, but it actually began to accentuate gifting’s and callings rather than, solely Him. At the moment I didn’t realize it, but later that night as I laid down to sleep, He convicted me. I tried to argue with Him and yeah, that didn’t work so well, so I repented and then got up and started writing. I then thanked Him for the refinement and for showing me with love how flowing in His will is really just so much better! So, the next day I shared with Angela, and asked her to forgive me as well as some of the other ladies.
See, it’s not the gifting, it’s not the calling, it’s not anything else, but just Him. I can sit here and tell you that I have this anointing, that anointing, this gift, that gift, and that He has called me to this and that and all of it great stuff, BUT…if it’s not done with HIM when HE tells you to then, it’s nothing. This is why, going back to the first scripture I wrote–and it’s so good, I’m gonna write it again! Yes, we are all very familiar with Philippians 4:19, but the Lord had me go back and read about 5 vs beforehand, that’s when I read vs 17 and 18 and I literally lost it. God is SO GOOD!
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Philippians 4:17, 18.
So in closing, I just want to bring this altogether because it kind of seems like I’m ย all over the place!
In 2 Timothy, I like what Paul says in chapter 2:3,4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
And then, 2 Timothy 2:19-21 ย Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” ย But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Those 2 scriptures pretty much sum it up!
I love y’all and hope this post finds you all well!!
Blessings
Jennifer xo
