8/19/14- Philippians 4

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Thoughts: This is one of the most uplifting passages in the Bible or in literature.  It reminds us that there is always a reason to find joy in the Lord, and we are called to find that joy and rejoice.  We are called to trade in our worry for prayer with thanksgiving. Believers know that God is in control and we can trust in Him.  Then Paul tells us to lift up our minds to think about the good instead of dwelling on the evil.  Paul could have dwelt on the evil of many things in the pagan world around Philippi.  But instead he encouraged his church family to think on the positive and not dwell on the negative.  It is easy to dwell on the black dot on the white board.  In our day, in which the church in the west is criticized, doubted, and discouraged, we are called to not worry but be thankful and think on what is good.  In response, God gives us peace. 

Prayer: Lord, keep my mind from focusing on evil things or things that would displease you.  Instead, help me to focus on your grace and love.  

11/16/12- Philippians 4- Basis for Stewardship

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thoughts: The church of Philippi was in a dangerous spot.  There were divisions in the church, the people were looked down on by their neighbors and anxious, and they were brought down by the burdens of life.  This is not too far from the church today in the West.
But Paul's solution is to focus on God.  The divided were urged to be "like-minded"- putting their minds on Christ, their mission/work, and that in heaven-their goal- they will be together (Names in the heaven-book).  

   The whole church was told again and again to "rejoice in the Lord."  Not that all was going well (Paul was writing this from prison).  But the joy of God does not depend on our circumstances. So celebrating Thanksgiving does not depend on how much we have.  We all can be grateful if we wish to  be. 

    They were urged to replace their anxiety with prayers and supplications with thanksgiving.  It is only when we are thankful that we can obtain the peace of Christ. 

    They were also called to focus their thoughts- not on the black dots on the white board- but on the white board.
    The rest of chapter 4 is about stewardship- God makes us content (4:10), gives us strength (4:13), and supplies our need (4:19).  But we cannot have stewardship without- 1) agreement in serving God together; 2) replacing anxiety with thanksgiving; 3) changing our thought life to focus on what God has done. 

Prayer: Today help me to agree, to be thankful to you- Lord, and to focus on the good you are doing. 

11/11/12- Philippians 4- and Peace

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
But my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Philippians 4:6,7)
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Phil. 4:12)
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4)

(Ruins of the Philippian jail from 1st century- Paul and Silas stayed here and sang until the earthquake freed them).

Thoughts: I wrote these multiple verses from the same chapter for us to get a feel for what Paul was trying to say.  Keep in mind Paul was writing these words from prison (Phil. 1:13).  He had been in prison in Philippi and had been singing and praying in prison there.  Paul lived these words out.  He had been a captain of the Pharisees- well educated, wealthy, respected, a rising star.  But he gave it all up to know and follow Christ.  Paul was urging these persecuted Philippians to trust in God- even in their persecution.  These words are hard but true.  Those who have given themselves to the god of this world will have a hard time hearing them- they seem naive.  But peace is found not by more and more things we see, but putting our faith in the unseen God- who made all we see.

Prayer: Help me to  be content in you, Lord.  Give me grace to trade anxiety for prayer; worry for trust; things for faith.