Philippians 4
1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
Exhortations
2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow,[a] help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
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 everything, 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, 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.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.[b]
Footnotes:
[a] Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus
[b] Philippians 4:23 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.
5 comments:
Phil 4
I'm sure you guys will touch on v.13, it speaks for itself as one of the truly empowering vs. in the whole Book.
8Finally, brothers, 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.
I tend to use this verse when I'm blue, bummed, or full-on depressed, but I'm learning on my second trip through PDL, and echoing all of your comments about how amazing it has been to finally be committed to reading the Word, we should be thinking about these Godly things throughout the day, that we may be conformed, not just healed. While I may have honestly not jumped all the way in the deep end in my commitment to God, (which certainly hurts to admit), I can say with pride that I jumped headfirst into the 6ft section of the pool recently, and it has been a whole new life, even within my own life. Keeping focus on the Godly things have kept me from panicking or swimming toward the edge of the pool.
Father, help cement our blinders, and guide our gaze to You, knowing that we will stumble on our path to You, but You will keep us on our feet and moving towards You. Help us to defeat discouragement, and continue to live in Your Word, and by Your Word,
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
crb
I memorized this verse in the NIV, but is is intersting in the NLT.
6Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Can you imagine being able to actually turn over everything to God??? and....consistently pray about everything. Lord help me try.
CRB I am with you. I do not feel like I am on the high platform in a diving competition, but i am defintely moving out of the shallow end.
The other verses that got were these as crb predicted.
11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little. 12I 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. 13For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
Lord fill my heart with contentment!!
In Christ,
cas
Several versus stood out to me and really made me look at my life. Like CRB and CAS, I am indeed in the shallow end of the pool myself when it comes to living my daily life in reflection of him. It is said to say but sometimes I don't show who I am "living" for.
vs 6. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. As the saying goes we must "Let go and Let GOD". I ask for your prays in my efforts to live that way.
And of course verse 13. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. With all my blessings, I truly gives thanks to you Lord, Amen.
In pray,
LT
Men, thanks for the encouragement today. I am usually the last through a chapter in the comments and I am always blessed by what has been shared.
Apart from all that you all pointed out, I wanted to share a brief bit about a verse I normally zoom past...vs. 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.
As I wrote in an earlier chapter, my relationship with Christ is probably not being held back by the wrong idea of God or Christ or the Spirit. Instead it is being held back by my lack of application of the truths He has already revealed to me. Sure He reveals new facets each time through His Word, but today He reminded me not to miss the point of application. Why should He show me new things about Life in the Spirit when I fail to even attempt to live out what He revealed years ago?
It is simply beyond our flesh at this point. It is in the realm of the supernatural...the Spirit...and transformation.
Father God, bless You for Your Grace and goodness. Praise You for Your patience and longsuffering love. Change our hearts, Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Glorify Your name through each one of us as we step out in faith.
In Christ's Strength,
er
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