Philippians 4:8-9
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you."
Practice these things and the God of Peace shall be with you. That sounds like a promise. That sounds like a fact. A certainty for peace our lives? Sign me up!
It also reminds me of last month's book, James. James 1:25 speaks of being a Do-er, not just a hear-er.
Practice these things? Which things is Paul referring to? Since this promise comes at the end of the book of Philippians, let's go back and check the highlights of the book. I am not a Biblical scholar. I'm just going to go back through the chapters, 1-4, and remind myself of the key points knowing that Paul is writing this letter from prison to the believers in the city of Philippi. There are many verses. Read
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through the verses I jotted down below or go through and pick out your own. As you go through them, apply them to yourself. Consider how to be a do-er, following in Paul's example. Phil 3:17, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. "
Phil 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (referring to Christ's return). I LOVE this verse! I'm not finished; God will finish/complete me. I'm so grateful for that!
Paul says of the Philippians believers- Phil 1:11 ..."having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, the glory and praise of God." They are demonstrating who they are by the fruit of their lives; what they do.
Paul's prison ministry furthered the gospel and gave others boldness to share the gospel. Phil 1:14, "...because of my imprisonment, (they) have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear."
Phil 1:21, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Phil 1:27-28, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I (Paul) come to see you or remain absent, I may hear of you and that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you and that too, from God."
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Phil 2:2, "Make my joy complete, by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose."
Phil 2:3, " Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regarding another as more important than himself."
Phil 2:4, "do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Phil 2:5-7, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
Photo copyright Julianne Gentry Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men."
Phil 2:8-9, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name."
Phil 2: 10-11, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Phil 2:12-13, "...just as you have always obeyed...work our your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
Phil 2:14-15, "Do all things without grumbling or complaining. that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."
Phil 3:2, "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision."
Phil 3: 8, "...I count all things to be loss in view of he surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish ignorer that I may gain Christ."
Phil 3:13-14, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Phil 3:16, "...let us keep living my that same standard to which we have attained."
Phil 3:18-19, "For many walk...they are enemies of the cross of christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on early things."
Phil 3:20-21, " For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself."
Phil 4:1, "...stand firm in the Lord..."
Phil 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!"
Phil 4:5, "Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."
Phil 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is love, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice thing things; and the God of peace shall be with you."
Phil 4:11, "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."
Phil 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
In this last photo taken a few years ago, my sisters in the Lord gave me strength, prayer, hope and joy. They encouraged me through my tears, my fears and my heartbreak. Being of the same mind, they were patient with me. They came alongside me and prayed me through some very difficult times.
Photo copyright Julianne Gentry Do you need prayer through difficult times? Are you content in your circumstances? Do you need help getting refocused on what is true and right and honorable?
Or can you be the one to help someone else stand firm? To help someone not complain? Can you be self-less and serve others? Are you available to lift up another in her time of need?
I'll end with this: sometimes were are in need and sometimes were are able to give. Which are you today? If you need help, ask. If you are able to help, offer it. I know this to be true, whichever person we are today, we have the strength to move forward. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Amen.
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