I am a chronic overpacker. It does not matter if I will be gone for one day; I still over-pack. I want to have everything I might need. I like to be prepared. Maybe you can relate. If you, too, like to be prepared and equipped, I have good news regarding the calling and plan God has for you. Scripture teaches that as you take steps to live out His plan, He will also equip you with everything you need.
The apostle Paul certainly knew what it was like to be in need as he stepped into his calling from God. He wrote the book of Philippians while he was in jail. In chapter 4, he explained that he knew what it was like to live on almost nothing and everything (verse 12). He had faced starvation and imprisonment. He had been beaten, shipwrecked, and so much more. Yet, despite all of these things, he held tightly to Christ. He explained to them that God had taken care of him through it all, especially through the church. Then he encouraged readers, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (verse 19). Just like God had taken care of him, Paul assured readers that He would also take care of them. He would supply “all” of their needs. That means there is nothing they would need that God would not supply.
The same is true for you, friend. God will supply everything you need, especially as you step out in faith to make Christ known. You do not have to worry. You do not have to over prepare. God has you, and you can lean on Him.
Write a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God that He will supply everything you need to live out His calling and purpose for you. Thank Him that you never have to step into any situation unprepared. After all, if He calls you, He will also equip you. You have everything you need.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
