OUR FATHER WHO IS NEAR

Philippians chapter 4 verses 1 - 9 records the Apostle Paulˋs concluding remarks in his letter to the believers in the believers in the city of Philippi. Speaking with fondness and endearment towards them, he encourages them to remain steadfast in the Lord.

He makes special mention of the women who helped him in the work of the gospel and he requested that they be looked after and he declares that their names, along with his fellow workers, are in the book of life.

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The apostle strongly encouraged the Philippian believers to rejoice at all times, let gentleness be their hallmark and to expel anxiety from themselves but instead, submit all their specific needs to God in prayer and doing so would let the unfathomable peace of God guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

In other words, the office of the Christ that administrates all the affairs of the kingdom of God, would actively respond to rejoicing and gentleness and the suppresion of anxiety by providing a shield of  supernatural peace in them as they prayed for what they needed.

Paul then prescribes the kind of thoughts that they should meditate upon:

• Things that were true
• Things that were noble
• Things that were just
• Things that were pure
• Things that were lovely
• Things that were of good report
• Things that were virtuous
• Things that were praiseworthy

The apostle also assured them that if they practiced the things that they learned, received, heard and saw in Paul, God would be with them in His capacity to as the provider of peace and wellbeing.

Amen.

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