Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation (gentleness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (KJV & NKJV)


We know verse four pretty well, as well as verse six. How often do we follow their injunctions, though? I've been pretty anxious about things recently... I haven't spent enough time letting my requests, desires, and concerns be made known to God, and I certainly haven't been rejoicing in all this. Paul and Silas sang while they were in prison - how were they able to do this? Because they knew that they were being held in God's hands and no matter what trials they endured it would all be to His glory and for their ultimate good. I don't think God would have opened the gates of the prison with an earthquake if Paul and Silas had been quaking in fear, and not trusting in God.


Also, I am to be known for my gentleness (v. 5), rather than for harshness or callousness. I can do this because the Lord is always at hand, and he will change my heart if I but ask.


I need to spend less time worrying, and more time praying and giving thanks to God for His blessings and His care for me. Only then will God work mightily in my behalf. He can't answer the prayer never prayed.


And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

Words of Wisdom

For every trial, God has provided help.

Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement.

We are not to let the future, with its hard problems, its unsatisfying prospects, make our hearts faint, our knees tremble, our hands hang down. "Let him take hold of My strength," says the Mighty One, "that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." Isaiah 27:5. Those who surrender their lives to His guidance and to His service will never be placed in a position for which He has not made provision.

In the way that leads to the City of God there are no difficulties which those who trust in Him may not overcome. There are no dangers which they may not escape. There is not a sorrow, not a grievance, not a human weakness, for which He has not provided a remedy.

We are not to dwell on the great power of Satan to overcome us. Often we give ourselves into his hands by talking of his power. Let us talk instead of the great power of God to bind up all our interests with His own. Tell of the matchless power of Christ, and speak of His glory.

If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to our Father's house?

While words express thoughts, it is also true that thoughts follow words. If we would give more expression to our faith, rejoice more in the blessings that we know we have,-- the great mercy and love of God,-- we should have more faith and greater joy.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18. This command is an assurance that even the things which appear to be against us will work for our good. God would not bid us be thankful for that which would do us harm.

Quotes from Ministry of Healing, in the Mind Cure chapter

The Roaring Seas

Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:10-19, 25-28

Learning, Sharing

I was recently given a book about photography by a friend of mine. Since I am interested in taking good pictures, it was a good book to receive. I read it straight through, and really appreciated how much it helped me learn to take better photos. I knew I would come back to it and read parts of it over and over. In fact I liked it so much that I bought a few more copies and gave them to some of my friends, who I knew would probably be interested in such a book. I was quite excited about it!


What do I do when I read a book that can help me learn to be not a better photographer, but a better person? Do I spend time studying it and re-reading it? Do I get excited? Do I share it with my friends?

Peter

William Barclay writes, in reference to Christ meeting Peter after His resurrection: "Peter had wronged Jesus and then had wept his heart out; and the one desire of this amazing Jesus was to comfort him in the pain of his disloyalty. Love can go no further than to think more of the heartbreak of the man who wronged it than of the hurt that it itself has received."