Message summary: A message for those rolling in less.

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"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for 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” (Philippians 4:11-13). “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10).

In a TV commercial a group of business people are sitting around a conference table brainstorming ways in which the company can save money. After a few quirky suggestions that are rejected by the CEO someone suggests changing internet providers. The finance manager states his hearty agreement with the idea, “We can get more for less!” The CEO looks at him and says, "You’re the finance manager, how much less do we have?" to which he answers, "Oh, we are rolling in less."

Today some of you may feel like you are “rolling in less”. It may be “less” in regard to your finances but may also be in less than healthy, less harmony in the family and so forth. Due to the nature of our ministry we encounter a lot of people who are "rolling in less". We offer counsel to those experiencing life’s hardships. In one situation we were speaking to a woman when she suddenly broke down in tears due to a heavy burden she was bearing. Another man shared of the brokenness in his family so common in our world today. Still another shared about a chronic health issue in his life.

Dave is a longtime friend who contracted sepsis some years back. Sepsis has taken many lives or their arms and legs. Dave nearly died, but has been left with trouble walking, very shaky hands, and the inability to speak well. (He had been a preacher and then seminary professor.)

But what a testimony of overcoming faith he expressed, “Through it all, God has been good and spoken to me greatly. I don’t know what the Lord has for me in the future, but I know it will be good, for He is good and faithful to His Word and His children.” In the midst of a season of “less” this brother, like Paul, is experiencing “more” of God’s increasing strength and sufficient grace.

In the providence of God we all have periodic times in life when we are, it seems “rolling in less”. We are not referring here to emotional ups and downs (which is another topic altogether), but rather those seasons when our normal life routine is interrupted and circumstances beyond our control, stall or slow down our pace of life. And for some that season is the new normal.

The two daily Scripture portions are both from the epistles of Paul. They are related in the sense that in both of them Paul recounts a season of "less" in his life. In the Philippian passage he writes of having been “brought low” and how he faced hunger and need along with plenty and abundance. In the Corinthian passage he is dealing with his "thorn in the flesh" which many believe to be some type of chronic physical affliction. You might say Paul was "rolling in less".

But both passages have a powerful outlook in the midst of one’s time of “rolling in less”. The assurance we can all have regardless of that which we endure is this:

1) God’s strength is adequate, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

2) God’s grace is sufficient, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

A period of “rolling in less” may impact our physical capabilities or the material blessings we are accustomed to, but it can also accelerate our spiritual capabilities and blessings as we are fashioned into God’s image. These can be defining moments in the lives of sincere believers.

Today we want to encourage any of our readers who may be “rolling in less”. God wants to use this experience in your life to grow you in ways that you would not expect, for nothing is impossible with God!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber