1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,[a] 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.
Words of Encouragement
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,[b] 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.
Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts
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,[c] 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.
Paul’s Final Greetings
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.
Footnotes:
a. Philippians 4:1 Greek brothers; also in 4:8.
b. Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus.
c. Philippians 4:13 Greek through the one.
5 comments:
First of all, welcom aboard RRB!!!
Nice to have you with us.
Well, I pretty much think verses 4-8 could be the cornerstone verse for our blog.
One struck me a little harder this go around was verse 4
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.
I am thinking that I do not let everyone see that I am considerate in all that I do!!!!!
Verse 6 I use all the time as well as I Cor 10:13.
and.... verse 8. What a great daily morning prayer.
Guys, this chapter is for me. Everytime I read this I say that. Look verse 11 and 19.
Sorry for rambling.
Father God, I pray that all of us associated with this blog and all of our brothers can fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. I pray that we think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Give us all contentment for we know truly that Christ is all we need.
Your brother,
cas
Yes, I think CAS is right about verses 4-8.
Verses 12 and 13. 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,[c] who gives me strength.
In this rat race of life that we run everyday, we often strive to have "more" of something. And often it is not more of Christ (speaking about myself). I pray that I can live more like Paul and be more content with what God has bless me with. And learn to live completely in Christ when I do not have all of my wants (stressing wants). Stop focusing on gaining "more" which for me normally means taking away from my goal of "living for Christ" truly 24/7.
Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to rejoice in the Lord in every situation of our lives?
Lord, help me and my brothers stay focus on YOU.
Amen, LT
Phil 4
I agree with cas and LT and would only add v. 9. Let's keep putting it all into practice as well.
Father, watch over us today so that we stay focused on You as we accomplish our tasks today. Amen
crb
great comments...
i too was hit by the verse 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...
i know that i dont do this...i want to but i sometimes STINK at it. i put up a screensaver on my work computer that i know peolple have seen. it says "positively impact people". i believe in this, but i am bad at making it real. maybe my expectations are off. dont you just wish you had that infectious spirit that someone saw Christ in you?! more work for me to do on this front.
Father - help me to rejoice in you. To show others how amazing your love is. but make this not a wish for my gain, but for their gain. let me be joyful in ALL situations. thank you Lord for your blessings. Amen.
Phil 4
Welcome rrb
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.
Just coming back from India, where I say some of the poorest people in the world. Oppressed by a system, but children just being children. I saw one little boy tickling his little brother, before "dinner", and they were laughing like crazy, just like my boys do. Mine have much more than they need, but these 2 were content and living with "almost nothing"
Father help me to do as LRT prays and live for you and be content with what I have.
In christ, jmb
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