Last week we began to talk about enjoying life. Most people don’t enjoy life; they just endure it. We often think that life must be perfect for us to be able to enjoy it. If only this was different, and if only that was different, them I could enjoy life. If only I didn’t have these problems. But there’s no such thing as a problem free life. If you’re ever going to enjoy life, you have to learn to turn your problems around, “SMELBORP”. Today we are going to begin our journey by looking at the S in SMELBORP. The S is for the Secret of Life. What is the secret of life? I can’t tell you. It’s a secret. Only kidding.

Secret of Life – It’s not all about me!

Most of us live life as though we are the center of our universe. When something happens to someone, very often our first thought is how it impacts me. Most people have usually learned to hide this thought while they process it but it is usually there (some people don’t hide it at all, and actually vocalize what they are feeling about themselves, not even considering what the other person is going through). When we are at the center of our universe, then it is easy to be overwhelmed by any problem that happens, because if you are at the center of the universe you are responsible for the universe. There is no way you will be able to enjoy life if it is up to you to make life work. You can’t, and it doesn’t.

So, if I can’t control my situation, and somehow make everything right, how will I ever enjoy life? You have to learn to enjoy life in the very experiences of life.

I want to look at a situation from the life of the Apostle Paul. We will be looking at a difficult season in Paul’s life which is recorded for us in Philippians Chapter 1. Paul has had a rough four years. He spent two years in Caesarea in prison on a false charge. Then he’s put on a ship to go to Rome to appear before Nero who is not known for his kindness to Christians. On the way he’s shipwrecked, stranded on an island, bitten by a poisonous snake, and then when he finally gets to Rome he is put in prison again, this time he is chained to a guard 24 hours a day. In the midst of all of this Paul says in Philippians 1:18 “I rejoice and I will continue to rejoice.” What’s Paul’s secret? He has figured out that it’s not all about him. Here are four clues from Paul about the process.

Look at my perspective

We began to talk about perspective last time. Perspective is an amazing thing. I talked about gas prices. All you had to do to appreciate 2.35 cent gas was to pay 4.35 for a while.

I was watching a football game this week. At the end of a close game those last two minutes are completely different if your team is ahead or behind. If you are behind it doesn’t seem like there is enough time. If you are ahead, it feels like two minutes is an eternity. It’s the same amount of time, just from different perspectives.

Everyone of us have problems. No one is problem free. Sometimes we look at other people and we have this thought that their life is way better than ours. If only our life was more like theirs. They have problems, they are just different than yours. The way you look at that problem is much more important than the problem. Your perspective makes the difference.

v. 12 “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” 13 “As a result it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” 14 “Because of my chains most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”

Paul got a perspective that was bigger than his own and it not only impacted him, it impacted other people as well.

The perspective we all need to live from to enjoy life is in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him…”

Action 1: Make a gratitude list. Take some time this week to make a list of all the things you are thankful for. It will help to change your perspective.

Investigate what’s really important

If you don’t decide what’s important in life, other people will decide it for you. If we don’t know what our priorities are, we just live putting out fires. Whatever is on fire gets our attention. Here is the deal, you can live life based on your problems, one fire after another, or you can choose to live life based on your priorities.

Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, Supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

While Paul is in prison, he is catching some flack from people. They are trying to stir up trouble for him.

People do this to us sometimes. There are a lot of reasons; jealousy, envy, fear, bitterness. Sometimes when people are miserable they want to make everybody else miserable to. You can’t let others people’s opinions or criticism or judgment or bad attitude steal your life away. I love what Paul says in verse 18 “But what does it matter”. In the Greek it is literally “SO WHAT”. Some people will always be critical and unhappy.

If you know what is really important in life then the opinions and criticisms of others won’t have much impact on your life.

Action 2: Make a priorities list. Take some time to write down what is really important in your life.

Find my reason for living

Paul has had a rough season. He is getting old and he is tired. They have taken pretty much everything away from him — friends, freedom, privacy, his ministry. But they couldn’t take away his purpose, his reason for living.

Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul has a reason for living, it’s Christ.

Philippians 1:22-26 (NIV)
22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Each of us has a purpose in life. There is a reason you are here. You are not some sort of cosmic accident. You matter. You count. It is like the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Your life makes a difference. Maybe your purpose doesn’t seem significant to you. It is. We are not all going to be heroes or famous. We may not have books written about us or be the focus of a documentary. But your life touches the lives of people around you. Part of your purpose is to look beyond yourself and see what other people are going through. Show some small act of kindness, give a word of encouragement, listen to their story. Remember the Golden Rule. Can you imagine how different life would be if people just began to care about one another?

Action 3: Start coming up with a life mission statement. Can you sum up the purpose of your life in a single sentence? This would be your life mission statement. Remember this as you think about it, life is not judged by its duration but by its donation.

Steve’s – To make a difference in people’s lives, one person at a time.

Engage God’s power

Because life is difficult, it can wear you out. One crisis after another can drain you. You lose your energy and your strength. Sometimes you just feel like throwing in the towel. You need a new power supply.

Philippians 1:19-20 (NIV)
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul said that he found hope in people praying for him, and in the Spirit.

Where is your power supply? What is your source of hope?

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Action 4: How would you honestly fill in the blank?
For me to live is ______________.

Our culture would tell us that the answers are possessions, or pleasure, or popularity. Paul’s answer is still the one that will really allow you to enjoy life. All of the others fall short. How do I know? If it were true that enjoying life was all about possessions, pleasure and popularity, then the people who have those things would be enjoying life. They aren’t.

Life is found in Christ. “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

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Dear Internet Pastor,

hi i’m a christian however i dont really have a christian background or many good sources to turn to.i am currently deeply confused with the lord’s views on money
well i’m 21 and the thing is my second greatest desire is wealth,a big part of which is the joys of financial wealth now the lord warns against desiring riches but is it really evil to want to be financially wealthy? so much good can be done with money in the right hands, so how can having a good thing be bad?
another question is on the lottery, i know of good christian who won the lottery and the lottery commission does do good in the community so is partaking it lottery bad?
lastly i would like to ask about god’s view on the law of attraction? i dont know if you have read the book “The Secret” but basically it says that we should ask “the universe” (which in my opinion is god) for things and be thankful and let these things come to us, which sounds good and all but on further research it has been condemned as “new age” and selfish which is against the christian way, but is a life of abundance non-christian? what would a christian do?
thank you for your time, i know i have gone on a little bit but i beg for your tolerance

Signed

Lord’s view on money

Dear Lord’s view,

The problem is really not about money or wealth, the problem comes from the love of money. It is not wrong to have an abundance of money or stuff, as long as you are able to keep your focus on the Lord. It is always about the motives and attitudes of our hearts.

Often times people believe that if they had a lot of money they would give it to God and His purposes, but the reality is that unless you are giving to God in your current situation, you won’t when you have more.

The problem with gambling is that it causes us to put our hope in something other than God. It has also caused tremendous social problems in families and communities (i.e. spending money gambling rather than buying groceries).

We need to ask God for our needs not the universe. God created the universe, the universe is not god.

It seems as though God has made money the acid test of our faith. Every believer must decide where they will place their trust. Will they trust God or will they trust money?

Ultimately, happiness doesn’t come from acquiring wealth. It comes from learning to be content regardless of what you are circumstances are. It is only when we learn the secret of contentment that we will ever truly enjoy this life that God has given us.

These were all good questions. I will add some verses here for you to consider as well.

Hope that helps!

1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The following verse is about the attitude and motives of our hearts.

Matthew 19:16-30 (NIV)
16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:6-9 (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Online Pastor

(Internet Pastor Online Ministry is provided for education and entertainment purposes. This site is in no way a substitute for a relationship with a local church/pastor or with a licensed counselor when necessary.)

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