First Baptist Church, Somerville, NJ

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” — I can fulfill all my dreams for 2019, climb the highest mountain, run a marathon, overcome all obstacles in life. Sounds good but is this really the meaning of the iconic and one of the most quoted Bible verses. When you imagine Paul penning this letter from the confines of a first-century prison cell—we would not exactly think of fulfilled dreams, new heights and overcoming all obstacles imagined above. If we include verses eleven and twelve with thirteen, we get a clearer idea of Paul’s intent. “...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” So, it isn’t surprising that the apostle Paul provides us with life themes of humility and self-sacrifice, and sufficiency in Christ and not in ourselves.

 A story is told of a young man who knocked one day at the door of an artist’s studio in Rome, and when it was opened, exclaimed, “Please, madam, will you give me the master’s brush?” The painter was dead, and the boy, feeling inflamed with longing to be an artist, wished for the great master’s brush, with the idea that it would inspire him with his genius. The lady placed the brush belonging to her departed husband in the hand of the boy, saying, “This is his brush; try it, my boy.” With a flush of earnestness on his face, he tried, but found he could paint no better with the master’s brush than with his own. The lady then said to him, “You cannot paint like the great master unless you have his spirit.” (W. Birch.)

The apostle Paul writes, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” Philippians 4:11 — and says it again, “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”   What is “the secret”? Philippians 4:13 calls it “Christ who strengthens me.” Or, to put it in terms of Philippians 3:8, “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” The apostle Paul tells us behind prison bars that if you have Christ, you have the strength to do all things whether you’re “brought low” or “abounding,” whether you have “plenty” or are “hungry,” whether you have “abundance” or “need.” Let us focus on being content not only with our triumphs but also in our deep devastation and great challenges of 2019.

Have A Blessed and Safe New Year 2019!

Pastor Loreno R. Flemmings

CHECK OUT OUR

PRESCHOOL

A Christian-based program focusing on the emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual

needs of every child. We are a NJ State Licensed Child Care Facility that provides exciting programs

for children ages 18 months to 6 years of age.

WEE PLAY

WEE PLAY

Wee Play is a Parent/Child Play Program that offers a colorful variety of indoor play equipment for

children ranging from those who are crawling through to 4 years of age. Encourages developmental skills

and is an excellent opportunity to share with your child