Wednesday
Sep202023
TFPC EM NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 11:46AM Learning Contentment
Today is September 20, 2023
Welcome to your mid-week!
When Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:12, that he has "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation," what he is telling us is the fruit he has learned by drawing near to Christ.
But this is not an easy lesson.
Apostle Paul has had to deal with disappointment after disappointment to the point of being in jail at the moment he writes his letter to the church of Philippi. Now, some of the disappointments he experienced were understandable. But some, simply unknown. And, in the wake of not knowing the why, Apostle Paul could have chosen to become disillusioned with God.
I mean, this is what many do when they do not understand why some things happen the way they do. Disillusionment with God is an option that many take which leads to the question of God's sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness.
However, that is not what Apostle Paul did.
What Apostle Paul did was take his current situation and weigh it against God's words and his actions. Both God's words and his actions point to having an eternal perspective. Both God's words and his actions point to God working for our good even if we may not know the why.
One of the crucial elements to the Christian life is faith; in fixing our eyes on what is unseen. And that is what Apostle Paul did - focusing on that which is eternal - submitting to God's will and drawing near to God, even when he did not understand the why of his present circumstance.
And the fruit?
He found that by being dependent on God, he was able to be independent from his circumstances.
He found that by being dependent on God, he was able to experience God's power and victory.
He found that by being dependent on God, he was able to experience contentment.
This is what he learned, and that is his lesson to us.
God's blessing as you wrestle with your disappointments in light of God's word and his actions via Christ Jesus, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.
- Rev. Frank Kim
Youtube link from last Sunday's Worship: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE
But this is not an easy lesson.
Apostle Paul has had to deal with disappointment after disappointment to the point of being in jail at the moment he writes his letter to the church of Philippi. Now, some of the disappointments he experienced were understandable. But some, simply unknown. And, in the wake of not knowing the why, Apostle Paul could have chosen to become disillusioned with God.
I mean, this is what many do when they do not understand why some things happen the way they do. Disillusionment with God is an option that many take which leads to the question of God's sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness.
However, that is not what Apostle Paul did.
What Apostle Paul did was take his current situation and weigh it against God's words and his actions. Both God's words and his actions point to having an eternal perspective. Both God's words and his actions point to God working for our good even if we may not know the why.
One of the crucial elements to the Christian life is faith; in fixing our eyes on what is unseen. And that is what Apostle Paul did - focusing on that which is eternal - submitting to God's will and drawing near to God, even when he did not understand the why of his present circumstance.
And the fruit?
He found that by being dependent on God, he was able to be independent from his circumstances.
He found that by being dependent on God, he was able to experience God's power and victory.
He found that by being dependent on God, he was able to experience contentment.
This is what he learned, and that is his lesson to us.
God's blessing as you wrestle with your disappointments in light of God's word and his actions via Christ Jesus, and I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.
- Rev. Frank Kim
Youtube link from last Sunday's Worship: HERE
Cell Group Discussion: HERE
Announcements
Education Open House During the Month of September!
We encourage all parents to attend the 11:30am worship service of your child’s open house and stay for a presentation of the ministry.
We encourage all parents to attend the 11:30am worship service of your child’s open house and stay for a presentation of the ministry.
- Pre-school, Sept 24
Ministry Calendar
- Sept 24 (Sun) – Pre-School Open House
- Oct 1 (Sun) – World Communion Sunday – Joint Worship
- Oct 1 (Sun) - Beach Cities Small Group
- Oct 14 (Sat) – EM Fellowship @ the Songs [Rescheduled]
- Oct 22 (Sun) – Ping Pong Tournament
- Oct 24-29 (Tues-Sun) - Pastor Frank's Vacation
- For Online Offering (found HERE) please make sure to select 'English Ministry' and to scroll down and type in where you would want your offering to go in the 'Note / memo' area.
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