“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11
It can be hard to speak the right thing at the right time! It’s even harder to teach your children how to discern what to say and when to say it. A friend shared this acrostic at a baby shower recently to help us determine if our words will be “fitly spoken”.
A – appropriate
P – pleasant
P – pure
L – lovely
E – encouraging
S – soft
Let’s have “apples” of gold words today!
I have been struggling recently – with the waiting for the next step in ministry, with the exhaustion from the current stage of life, with the inconsistency of deputation life, and more. I know that at the root of many of my up and down feelings is a discontent with where God has me right now. I want to be content, but I still hear the lies of the enemy in my ears and often my emotions follow.
As I did a brief word search on the word content I came to Philippians 4, and Paul’s classic declaration on the subject – “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I decided to read the entire passage and look at some cross-references too.
This is what God brought to me. I love how He drops us to the place in His Word which is exactly what we need for the moment. He is the Master of bringing just the right word, email, verse, encouraging text, reminder, and more to encourage my weary heart!
-- Stand fast in the Lord, Phil. 4:1 Don’t give up yet!
-- Rejoice in the Lord, alway…, v.4 There is always something to be thankful for. Rejoice in Who God is, and what He has already done.
-- Don’t worry about anything, v.6 – the future, the rest of the day, the “what if’s” which are piling up in your mind.
-- In everything, by prayer and suppication, let your requests be made known unto God, v.6 – take it to God. Not Hubby. Not Mom. Not BFF. Take it to God. Tell it to Him.
-- Pray with thanksgiving, v.6 – There is always something to be thankful for! Even this house, the waiting, the seemingly slow responses to prayer, the difficult kids, the tiredness.
-- God’s peace will wrap itself around your heart and mind, v.7 – He will bring peace, even in the midst of the storm.
-- Whatsoever things are true…think on these things, v.8 – Feed yourself truth. Don’t believe the lies. Don’t sit there and sulk in the lies of the Enemy. Tell your hear the truth, and think on it!
-- Be content, no matter where you are, v.11 – No matter what!
-- I can do all things through Christ, 13 – But only in Christ. Not in self. Not in mostly Christ and some of self. Only in Christ.
-- God shall supply all your needs, v.19 – A house. The energy. Emotional strength. Patience. Finances. ALL YOUR NEEDS.
-- Unto God be the glory, v.20.
It was interesting to me to search on the word content in v.11. Did you know that the root of this Greek word is the same word which appears as “sufficient” in the verse below?
“And He said unto me, My grace is SUFFICIENT for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor. 12:9
Be content, because His grace is enough. It is sufficient for whatever I need, in whatever situation, at whatever time. And because I have His grace, I can be content with whatever situation, at whatever time.
