The suffering of a Christian is those things common to mankind. There is times of feasting as well as times of proverty. Yet are we still rejoicing and striving for Jesus no matter what state we find ourselves. Life is long and can be hard at times. People with those perfect nine to five jobs with the just the right income, did not start out that way unless they had a silver spoon in their mouth. Today's message will short, In verse 13 in chapter 4 of Phillians we read "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." If this whole passage could be summoned up but by one verse it be verse 13. There times when Paul has needed help and church of Thessalonica gave freely by the Spirit and it meet the needs of Paul. He did not make a request, they gave to him in his time of need. The best gifts come by the Spirit of God. They are not gifts of request but by prayer, and they are not gifts of having to payback. Yet it is a gift given in love by another to help in the work of the ministry. Paul received such a gift from the church. A church that prayed for Paul. A church that knew Paul and his struggles. Yet Paul on his own knew God would provide for all his needs. It did not mean he did not go hungry or feel hungry. There several levels of hunger. There if you haven't eaten for days you need food desperately because this is not ordinary fast. This is without, and then there hunger and you just had a sufficent meal of food. With that sufficent meal you might still fill hungry but you don't really need anything else, that just your belly wanting more because what you ate tasted good, or you worked hard and more food is necessary to supply the amount of energy used. Paul knew what it was to probably sacrifice a meal for the Gospel. To go with a dinner to accomplish a tasked needed doing in his work. He did not think much about it, but still wrote about it. He knew there were people far worse off that needed help.

I seen a friend the other day that had lost a lot of weight since last time I seen her. I wonder if she was starving. No not really, but the point is even rich, middle class and poor go without meals from time to time. Nothing wrong with not a meal occassionally unless a designated purpose such as a fast. Why with a fast, fast can be broken for health issues and it is not restricted because there no food in the house. The need for food is different and no doubt Paul experienced it but also knew when God gave him manna from both heaven and unexpected provision. Paul was not afraid to work to eat either and did so making tents as he traveled with a few other believers. There is a point God provision does not mean one does not suffer until God provides. Why does God allow suffering? Why does God not answer the need for a meal right away. The one thing that comes to mind you have not because you ask not a quote from Jesus. In truth some do not have because they never made a request to God. Some do not have because they do not work, some do not have because they give what they were given away to help someone else. Some are in desperate need of food, clothing and a hands up.

It not those able people that have needs, it is those who have needs we need to be concerned about in regards to the things they might need in compassion and love of Jesus in desire to share it is those in desperate need and those that can not take care of their needs. There is nothing wrong with a gift to those not in need, but it those in need that could use food and clothing to survive the long winter. It is those people that fall in the gaps of federal and state assistance that need help and some are very hard works but guess what they don't have the ability for the higher paying jobs. They are not lazy, they just can not do what some others can do. Should they be punished for their inability. No because often times these people are encouragers to people reaching further up and they help them saying I can do it. Key word their own ability. It is the ability of Christ that allows others to achieve more then ever thought possible. If you told me I would run a website that spread the Gospel all over the world I tell you that it is impossible. With Christ all things are possible. Sometimes a plate of food comes with hard work and other times it is truly a gift and manifestation from God himself. No I am not speaking that a meal just literally rained from heaven like in Exodus, a provision comes from unexpected place maybe like manna or in some cases from heaven. If you are lost in the woods and find berries or catch a fish or trap a rabbit that is a miracle, especially if you do not have tools, To know God provision is to ask of God and his provision is provided. When a person desire to do the impossible with Christ, then why be blind to what Christ enabled us to do. Rejoice in what God accomplishes through you and others. It takes faith to do what man thought impossible. Remember you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your provision and your ability to do the impossible, in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion:

John 16:23-24 KJV
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.