Philippians 4 ~ in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

Philippians 4

Therefore, my brothers and sisters,
 you whom I love and long for, 
my joy and crown, 
stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

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.







10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

¹² I 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.  

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

 15 Moreover, 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; 

16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 

18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. 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. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

This is accurate, astonishingly overlooked and tremendously exciting.
We have a Historic Trail.

Papyrus 46 of Philippians is noteworthy and creates a biblical memory. Critics say the New Testament was drafted  in the Roman Empire's 400 A.D. fulfilling a desire for a document of Christ. In Papyrus 46 there are many scriptures and we see Philippians.

Papyrus 46 dates to 175 A.D. and has written in AD 110  by Polycarp. Polycarp was a disciple of the beloved disciple John while he was an inhabitant of the Island of Patmos.

Bishop Papias evidence alone is compelling. But a chronology of the generations John to Polycarp, then Irenaeus - his is the  letter displayed below. Irenaeus  was the Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul. The three bishops succinctly form a historical chain.

Do the Disciple John's writings correlate to Paul's letter to Philippi  from prison?

- John loves! John's written letters proclaim the depth of his love.
- John declares  God's joy and an explanation of crowns.
- John also, miles and miles and miles, from Paul - writes of the Book of Life.
- John certainly witnessed the evil of the world overcoming Jesus. He never recovered fully seeing evil at work. John chose instead of focusing on evil - John determinedly spoke of the Promises of God being nearby.
- John survived and triumphed as many of the hardships and difficulties as Paul. We discover John is fruitful in old age.
- John describes of the peace of God 7 times.

We have just seen John say Paul's testimony is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy!

Bishop Papias records John's quoted praise of the other three Gospels as well.

The first part of the Passage is very well known and beloved. If you are familiar with Scripture this Living Word is a complete balm.

The second half  creates a continuous circle - a study to  fully document and describe  the first part.

The first part - Rejoice in the Lord always!
The second part - you renewed your concern for me. Verse 10

If we are very, very literal and say, "Rejoice always!" We would look unconcerned and out of place. And when we read to the end of Paul's life in the Bible, we see St. Paul has some concerns. Paul is speaking of the Fire of the Holy Spirit. Paul doesn't speak in uncertainty, guile or error. He doesn't turn back. He doesn't ask for insincerity or the pious display of righteousness- simply put, fake joy. Paul declares with vigor  when the Wind of the Spirit lifts us - go there! See what is possible in God!

Love the sheer and utter honesty. What will we do when doubts niggle at us since we are undoubtedly not St. Paul or St. John? Paul says - REVIEW. Take out our truths and reexamine them. Look in the Light for what is is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent.

Share troubles. Verse 14. Paul is not suggesting be poised to hoist up boot straps and display manufactured happiness. The Scriptures proclaim - heartfelt response -  Indeed, you were concerned. Still verse 10.

Is the Lord near? The blessings of Philippi, Greece would say so. Wikipedia says this about Philippi: "The prosperity of the city in the 5th and 6th centuries was attributed to Paul and to his ministry." This is the worldly fruit. The Spiritual fruit is discovered in the victory over the persecution of the first 4 centuries and and enduring Love for Jesus.  Survival of Roman Empire persecution would need God to guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

During the 4 centuries - you bet persecution will cause  "anxious"  about anything and everything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, requests were presented to God. And the peace of God, transcended all understanding and was guarding those in Christ Jesus.

Were the people perfect or the Churches in the early days??? Were these the golden days gone past - no hassles in Church - People and their nature have not changed since Genesis.  God is steadfast through the millenniums. Because Verse 15 teaches us about not whining and adopting Paul's viewpoint to look up to God - here is Verse 15 - "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"

What have we learned from this inspiring Scripture of Paul's faith? 
There are steps to take in Rejoicing.
A measure of faith and endurance is called for.
Sharing troubles is part of this.

The disciples gave Gospel saying they were far from perfect people. The story of Jesus with His Disciples is - God loving us as people. This 4th Chapter of Philippians tells us what God has created in someone breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. This is a miracle. Paul cried out "Who are you?"

Jesus did answer distinctly,“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Paul did as Abraham and went. He believed God and this was credited to him as righteousness. The works of God go on, His people have flaws, sins and weaknesses. The Work of God goes forth beyond the workmen.

We can read the first portion of this Chapter and give up. We are not perfect. Jesus is the One who is good and closes our gaps. We need a savior. God Loves You!

Father God, Scripture requires a seek, and yet - You find us when we search. In the Holy Spirit, with seeking Your Word and Law, You write in our hearts. Your Word declares Father God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ. We are transparent to You. All of us. And You decide the answer is Love and Salvation. God you give us the blessing of Your Praise living in our hearts to find reasons to rejoice. Always help us to remember to find reasons to have gratitude. You clearly tell us here that Rejoicing happens when we dwell on Your gifts to us. Help us to abide in this Promise. In the name of Jesus provide this to us and our beloved ones. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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P.S. We all are learning together. I realized today seeing 4 yr old Rylie something so great - it's Biblical - Rejoicing every chance you get - is - the best option! Everyone who meets Rylie, and our group today, remarks, with great joy, that her joy is- INSPIRING!!!

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Psalm 54 ~ The Lord is the upholder of my life

Psalm 54


O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 For strangers^{[insolent men]} have risen against me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves. Selah

4 Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.          
5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.

6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.


Psalm 54 is a Psalm of David.  A Psalm written by a man who saw war, homelessness, being overlooked by his father and brothers, marked as a criminal, a mercenary.  And he lived through victory, indulgence, defeat and into old age.

David lived Life. Jesus says He is Life. 

We live in time when the news generally isn't great.  

People have doubts about their children's futures.  Most of us are amazed at least once a month by a new phone app or a computer application.  

Sometimes it helps to remember my grandmothers grew old after facing life's hardships. I know they had years life shook them like waves. They were not like the centenarian documentaries of never worrying, self-reliance and hard core assurance - because life shook them in difficult, difficult circumstances. Yet both women found they endured and looked forward to more life with God in eternity. 

How are we saved? By the blood of Jesus.

I wouldn't turn this down, especially at the Communion Table. 

By the cross of Jesus?  It is the symbol of victory of the LORD over the enemy of death, despair, false witness. 

Yet David grasps something very important here. 
We are saved by the name of Jesus. The Christ. The Son of God. The LORD.

Philippians 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth







What shall we say about our JESUS?

Jesus

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.







 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.


Genesis 1:3-4
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.


Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Hebrews 6:13
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself

Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Timothy 6 ~ worthy of full respect

Luke 13:1-9


Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

1 Timothy 6

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

Groundhog Day - was there ever a better training ground to not allow the day to leave without acquiring something unique? Reading the Word of God to find out what we can bring to the table.

If we are in one place - we probably should be learning.

If only he had been allowed to keep a gratitude journal. Or text himself gratitude moments.


Thank You God we can rely upon You. For help. For seasonal change. For adventure. For learning. For acquiring skill. For giving to us and we bless others. For Your assistance when life is stressed. Knowing You are God. Thank God in Jesus. Amen.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Matthew 7:1-6 ~ Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7:1-6

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."





Yesterday, I was forgiven. Held and hugged,  because Edward who forgave me is noble knowing he is imperfect. And when you are forgiven - you are enlightened, again, seeing the true character of the forgiver. Forgiveness given and received.

Expectation. God expects us to see HIM as good. Forgiveness opens up new paths. We all want our narrow path life to have more and more blessings. An open heart lets in more Light.

Forgiveness. We debate and debate if God really wanted Abraham to kill Isaac. I vote a solid no. I vote Abraham would have had more of God's grace if he'd said, "No. You are God. You have the power in Your Word. You promised this son and I expect You to be Merciful." Abraham had famously argued before, for lives, and I believe he should have argued. God cleans up this sad series of events by being Merciful without Abraham's argument. I think God wanted us all to say, God IS more merciful than that.

Forgiveness with this passage  indicates discernment. Jacob never was asked for forgiveness from his sons. Jacob delivered a blessing and departed to God. Reuben was understood by Jacob to stand apart from him.

Owwww. Ouch. When your own heart and expectations are fed back to you. This is the perfect opportunity to say - talk to me. Be honest, be truthful. Truth is said to do this:

Ecclesiastes 1:18
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

That is true. Jesus tells us He is Truth. Simply put, we want to be where Jesus is. This is the narrow, meaningful  path leading us to Jesus.

Leading us to - again - the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. We just don't know when our change will occur.

The recent study of 2,600 people returning from being brain dead and knowing peace - seeing dimensions fade, people they know and love - seeing their reactions, and returning to say - they have seen Heaven. We want to obtain entrance to Heaven. Where God sees us, loves us and will know us.

Our seats are not God's. We might want them to look like God sits there, however we are not to judge.

God works vastly beyond what we can perceive.

Jacob was not capable to judge even Reuben. Jacob correctly followed what God tells us to flee from. God is much more in touch with the ones He loves.

Revelation 3 We will want to be
dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.


Acts 13
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.


Luke 12:7
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Mark 1:15
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. 
Repent and believe the good news!"

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 12:39-48 ~ Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

Earliest drawings of Peter found in the Vatican catacombs

Streets of 4th century to 1st century Rome found intact under the Vatican

Luke 12:39-48

39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.

Peter is a real person and has a real person moment.

One of the reasons Peter ran off and abandoned Jesus - he had a definite sense of the Magnitude of the Job. Recall with me he saw the amazing miracle of more fish than the boat could 'almost' hold and Peter was suddenly in understanding of the Man in the boat with him.

Peter is introduced to Jesus as the Christ by Andrew. Then...

Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me--I'm too much of a sinner to be around you."

Jesus is BIG to Peter.

That particular day Jesus is addressing Fear, the Call to Witness to God verbally, if life is really about Riches (Peter is wealthy see his house in Capernaum) and Worry . This evidently strikes Peter hard. Then Jesus starts talking about home invasion and Peter - who fishes all day - Jumps up.

We have learned about the Disciple Peter - something personal -

Peter is really listening to Jesus.
Fear - Worry.
Witnessing to God in responsibility - being Very responsible.
Riches and Robbery.
Being prepared to go to Heaven at any time.

Peter is a little tense.

Psalm 126
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.







Peter has been listening to John the Baptist as John's Gospel opens. Peter isn't having a bad life, in fact his house in Capernaum is quite nice.

Synagogue that was next door to Peter's house - location, location, location - View of the Sea and the fishing vessels.

Jesus wasn't like David. Jesus wasn't looking for the malcontents, Jesus was looking for Heart. Jesus definitely found this in the Number One Employer in Capernaum. Peter's house became a House Church for 400 years. The graffiti in the only house with plaster walls attests to this being Peter's House.

Jesus didn't draw only Simon the Zealot.

Luke 8:3
Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Simon Peter was in great awareness of his call to follow Jesus.

Acts 3 records a lame man being healed from the name of Jesus as Paul prayed. Acts 5 records multitudes of people were then brought to Peter. This was the "This can't happen to me" crowd because they didn't show up until the people of Nain said - "OH, yes we saw Jesus raise the widow's son - so this is Entirely Possible this is Jesus in the Holy Spirit!"

 Peter has something else going on in the Passage. Peter expects Heaven. He jumps up when Jesus starts talking about expecting the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter and John communicated a great deal. The Book of Revelation Chapter One would have been an idea they spoke of walking with Jesus down the roads.

Revelation One says
1 The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.


Revelation isn't the end of the world necessarily - it is end of life.

Both Peter and John were looking for the Kingdom of Heaven to begin. Daily.
Before they met Jesus, they were seeking God in what John the Baptist was preaching before Jesus arrived.

God places talents in us that He is going to grow. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Today.


Father God, with You all things are possible. Bless the Nation as oil prices drop. For our jobs to be rewarding. Our families to feel loved. Friends to feel they aren't so stretched thin in time and means. For those with ill health to feel good things are in front of them. For their caregivers to be strong. We pray in Jesus for Churches to be filled with the love of Your Holy Spirit in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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2 Chronicles 14 ~ Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name

The House of David went back and forth in faith for millenniums. The House of David still exists today. Reunions occur. 

2 Chronicles 14

And Abijah rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years.

2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3 He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. 4 He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands. 5 He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. 6 He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest.

7 “Let us build up these towns,” he said to Judah, “and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah, equipped with large shields and with spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin, armed with small shields and with bows. All these were brave fighting men.

9 Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with an army of thousands upon thousands and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. 10 Asa went out to meet him, and they took up battle positions in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah.

11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

12 The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, 13 and Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. Such a great number of Cushites fell that they could not recover; they were crushed before the Lord and his forces. The men of Judah carried off a large amount of plunder. 14 They destroyed all the villages around Gerar, for the terror of the Lord had fallen on them. They looted all these villages, since there was much plunder there. 15 They also attacked the camps of the herders and carried off droves of sheep and goats and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

This is a core theme of the Bible. Trust God. Faith in God sustains.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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