Philippians 4 - 7.9.25

Scripture

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Observation

Paul was in prison when he wrote Philippians. In those days, the prisons were horrible, with prisoners shackled on feet and hands to the walls. Yet Philippians is one of the most joyful epistles in the Bible. Paul repeats the word “rejoice” 6 times! Paul had a lot to be anxious about in human terms.  But he writes “don’t be anxious  about anything”. Though Paul is the writer, the author of Philippians like all the other books of the Bible is the Holy Spirit of God. God commands us, “Do not be anxious about anything”.

Anxiety is a natural human response when we are encountered with difficulties or anticipate problems in the future. Anxiety is another form of fear. Anxiety cripples us. God wants to spare us all that. He invites us to trust Him. What should we do when we are anxious? The answer lies in verse 6. Pray about the things that are causing anxiety with “thanksgiving”. To give thanks, we need to remember what we are thankful for. Look back and remember God’s faithfulness. Thank God for the times He has delivered you, protected you, removed harm, and answered prayers. And with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. When we do that in obedience to God’s word, He will fulfill the promise in verse 7. He will send the peace of God which transcends all understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Application

When anxiety hits us, let us go to the feet of Jesus with an open Bible and prayer. Let us pour out our hearts before Him, and look at his word for guidance. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning, feeling anxious with the weight of the world on my shoulders! Trying to fall asleep while being tormented with anxiety does not work for me. I have learned the antidote. When I am awake, I go to my prayer closet, and go through my Bible reading of the day, and I finish my daily prayers. And I discover that the anxiety that woke me up is gone! I go back to my bed, and sleep like a baby.

We are commanded to cast all our anxiety upon Him, because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7). When we give our problems to Him in prayer, we receive his peace, knowing that He has heard us, and He will take care of whatever is worrying us. Our God is faithful, and we can trust Him. Jesus personally commanded us not to worry. In Matthew 6:25-31, Jesus repeats the words “do not worry” 4 times. Jesus says, do not worry about your life, or what you will wear or what you will eat or about your future (Matt 6:25,28,31,34). Our Father knows that we need all this, and when we seek His kingdom first, all these things shall be added unto us (Matt 6:33). Our Father knows what we need even before we ask (Matt 6:8), and He is Faithful to provide.

Anxiety is closely linked with depression. Dwelling on our anxious thoughts will make us depressed. In Isaiah 61:3, God calls depression a spirit - the spirit of heaviness (KJV) or a spirit of despair (NIV). God says He gives us a garment of praise instead! Covering ourselves with a “garment of praise” (Is 61:3) is the key to break free from anxiety.  Let us think about the goodness of God and thank Him and praise Him. Let us make our requests known to God with thanksgiving, and the peace of God which passes understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for loving me and making me your child. Help me to bring all my worries and anxieties to you in prayer with thanksgiving. I thank you because I can trust you. I thank you because all the good gifts I have in my life have come from you (James 1:17). I have got nothing apart from you. I can do nothing without you (John 15:5). I am more than a conqueror through You, who loved me (Romans 8:37). By You, I can run against a troop, and by my God I can jump over a wall (Ps 18:29). Help me to cast my burdens on you. I thank you because the battle belongs to you (1 Sam 17:47). Thank you because You will meet my needs according to the riches of glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). Thank you because You are my protector (Ps 18:2). Thank you because You will keep me from all harm (Ps 121:7). Thank you because you are my victory. I roll all my worries to you. I rest in You (Ps 37:7). I receive your joy, which is my strength (New 8:10). I receive your peace that passes understanding to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Philippians 2 - 7.8.25

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:1-4 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

OBSERVATION:  Paul described what it looks like to be an imitator of Jesus, Who, being in the very nature of God didn’t consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage, rather He made Himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Paul followed Jesus’ example by clothing himself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  He showed forgiveness as the Lord had so graciously forgiven Him.  He worked diligently to live in peace between the body of believers. He genuinely cared for others by meeting their needs.  When conflicts arose, he sought reconciliation.  He was a peace maker like Jesus.

APPLICATION:  The bi-product of the Holy Spirit working in and through us starts with us giving Him control. “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the Vine.” (John 15:4a).  Jesus is the Vine, and we must remain in Him.  As Jesus submitted fully to His Father, we must do the same, and as we do, He fills us with His peace and joy through every circumstance as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

PRAYER:  “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”  ( 1 Peter 5:5b).  No matter our age; whether we’re young or old, as we follow the example of Jesus, God’s favor will be upon us as we humble ourselves and serve each other.  I pray I will die to my selfish desires, keep my eyes on the Lord, seek Him first, and remain in Him so that His Spirit will have room to fill me to overflowing as I practice being an imitator of Jesus by being like-minded, having the same love, and valuing others above myself.

- Robin Orefice

Philippians 1 - 7.7.25

Scripture

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Observation

In this letter written to God’s holy people of Philippi, Paul and Timothy are encouraging the people of Philippi by telling them how much they thank God for them. It brings Paul and Timothy great joy knowing that they are continuing to grow in their faith, and they are continuing to share the Good News about Jesus. Paul and Timothy pray for them to continue to grow in love, knowledge, and understanding that will bring much glory to God.

Application

God’s not finished with us yet.

If accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior was the endgame, then we would have been snatched up as soon as we believed. But, life goes on and guess what?! So does life’s ups and downs. Life is about growth and God has a purpose for all of life’s ups and downs. God uses these peaks and valleys in our lives to grow and mature us spiritually. He is growing our faith. He is alongside us every step of the way cheering us on as He desires us to mature into being more like Jesus each day. It’s just like a parent watching their child grow. From crawling, to taking their first steps, to driving, and to starting their own family, it brings a parent so much joy to see their children growing and maturing in all phases of life. The same goes with God. He desires to see us grow from believing, to loving and serving others with the gifts that He has given us, to leading others to Christ, and to discipling them into deeper relationships with Jesus so they could do the same. It’s a cycle that brings our Heavenly Father so much joy and gives Him all the glory and honor He deserves. As we strive for perfection to be more like Jesus each day, we will fall short. But, we keep fighting the good fight. We keep running the race. We keep going until the end and that is when Jesus finally calls us home. That is when we will finally be made perfect and will see our Heavenly Father’s face. 😊

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” -2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭

Prayer

Father God, thank You for being alongside me in this journey of life. Thank You for never giving up on me whenever I fall short. You are always there to dust me off and place me back on the correct path. I pray that Your Holy Spirit continues to guide me and strengthens me so I can stay the course. May I continue to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi