Philippians 4

IV Don't worry, keep your mind on God, give generously, and God will provide
A. vs 1-9 Pray about everything and think on the Godly parts of life
1. vs 1-3 The common bond of salvation should cause us to walk in unity with each other
2. vs 4-7 Rejoice and do not worry, pray about everything and God will give you His peace
3. vs 8-9 Think on the good and emulate your leaders
B. vs 10-23 God provides what we need
1. vs 10-13 Be content in every situation
2. vs 14-20 God will bring every gift back in blessings to the giver
3. 21-23 Paul's closing greetings back to the church

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:4

The words "with thanksgiving" have recently become very important to me. I'm not sure exactly why or what started it but lately I have been overwhelmed with a spirit of thanksgiving. I can't hardly open my mouth to pray that I don't spend much of my time thanking Him for what I already have. I think the one thing that has gotten drilled into my head is the simple fact that I deserve nothing. If I was honest I would have to admit that I deserve Hell. Not when I die but right now. My sin nature should have condemned me at birth. But was patient with me and for that I am thankful. He chose me to be in Him and for that I am thankful. He blessed me with a beautiful wife that I do not deserve and for that I am thankful. He blessed me with wonderful children that I do not deserve and for that I am thankful. He gave me a profitable business that I do not deserve and for that I am thankful. I don't have so little that I am tempted to curse HIm and I don't have so much that I am tempted to forget about Him and for that I am thankful. God has blessed me abundantly and kept my heart towards Him and for that I am thankful. I deserve so little but have been given so much and for that I am thankful. See?
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

But the truth is even if I had none of this but still had God, still had the hope of eternity with Him, it would be enough. And for that I am thankful.





So that's it for Philippians, What did I learn?
I learned how to spell Philippians. (One L, two P's)(OK three P's)
I learned that Paul's chains didn't slow Him down at all. (What is slowing me down?)
I learned Paul was genuinely grateful when the body of Christ sent Him help. (I must remember to thank the co-laborers God has given me)
I learned Paul considered unity to be of greater importance than deciding who was right. (That's a tuffie!)
I learned to stop complaining. (The man was in chains! I've never even seen chains I complain when the temperature of the church isn't quite right!)
I learned Paul thought everything he has and ever had was like dung(!) when compared to Christ. (Makes my constant desire for new and better things appear pretty petty.)
I learned that if I want peace, I'm going to have to take my anxieties to the Lord. (Then leave them there!)
Finally, I learned that if I give generously to support the work of God and the people of God, God will meet all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (A good promise from a good God)

Well, that's my week in Philippians, I will miss it. I think tomorrow I'll start I Timothy.

Quick note before I get into my Bible today. Last night I watched my first episode of Battlestar Galactica. I have always been a huge Star Trek fan but just never got into BSG, so I decided to download the pilot and see if I liked it. The story was pretty cool but I hope they upgrade the special effects as the series goes on. I like the "Cylons among us" aspect as this was one of my favorite plotlines of ST:DS9 with the Dominion. I think I'll watch a few more episodes before I pass judgment.

IV Do not worry, Christ will provide
A. vs 1-9 Paul exorts the church
1. vs 1 Stand firm in the Lord
2. vs 2-3 Disagreeing christians need to agree with each other in the Lord
3. vs 4-7 Do not be anxious for anything
4. vs 8-9 Keep your mind on Godly things
B. vs 10-23 Paul is grateful for the gifts given to him
1. vs 10-13 Be content in every situation
2. vs 14-20 Paul blesses the church for their gifts
3. vs 21-23 Closing greetings from Paul

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phil 4:6

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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:12-13

I tell you what, if I could just get these concepts down I would sleep like a baby at night. How many times have I laid awake staring at the ceiling wondering how the bills would get paid. How many times has God come through. And how many times have I repeated the cycle the next time things are tight. Way to many to count. He has always provided, even when I have not been as wise as I should be with our money. I know it is a sin to worry and I do it anyway. I know worry is a slap in the face of God and I do it anyway. I know my worry reveals a deep-seated lack of faith in God's providence and I do it anyway. They say you can tell a lot about a man by whether he prays for a strong back or a light load. I have always asked for a light load. And I'm too afraid to ask for a strong back. Lord, have your way. I know you know what's best.