Wohoo! We made it! Another challenge.. Good job yesterday guys! I didn't even really have to remind anyone. The next challenge will start tomorrow and we are going straight into Colossians! It's gonna be awesome. Another short challenge...now on top of that, I need you guys to get one broski to commit to doing this. Tell them to let me know who that person is, so I can get in touch with them! Please do this and begin challenging your brothers! It's awesome!vs 3 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.
Okay...so how many people have we held a grudge against..or are currently holding a grudge against...or maybe they are just holding a grudge against us, but we are not stepping out and seeking to settle our disagreements with those people...This is sooo challenging as it says...because we belong to the Lord, we are to settle our differences...ask yourself, "how does this apply to me right now?"
also... I love the verse 13- For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength...love it cuz he is specifically talking about when he had nothing! He was going hungry... and he still relied on God! This should be our anthem when times get rough! Trust in Jesus!
vs 11-12, 19: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need...And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
ReplyDeleteChrist is all we need and when we realize that and truly believe it, then we will be able to say as Paul that we are content in every situation. No matter the circumstances, we have Christ and that is all that we need, through him all our needs are taken care of (vs 19). It is important to realize that our needs do not necessarily coincide with our wants. And that in reality Christ is all that is necessary for the most fulfilling life we could ever wish for.
Therefore, let us see Christ for who he is. All-satisfying, loving, and ultimately our provider. Let us look to him for all things and then we shall be able to share in the contentment of Paul.
"but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
ReplyDeleteMake known to God because He desires for us to be faithful unto prayer. Luke 18
With Thanksgiving...As Calvin puts it, "the will of God will be the grand sum of our desires." So that in the middle and all throughout laying requests before the Lord, it is important that we should thank Him for all that He has done, and all that He will do. God knows what we need prior to asking Him for anything. We simply approach His throne out of faithfulness which is enabled by Him for our hearts to be entwined about His. We pray not to get God's attention, but because He has ours. While praying with thanksgiving, God is showing us more of who He is as the Abba Father that provides (Jehovah Jireh)...response after this prayer, peace that surpasses understanding.
"Lord as I pray for so many burdens, I thank you that you are sovereign over all things and everything including me is created for your glory. Would you show me now some things that I should thank you for?"
Using the same verse as Ryan...
ReplyDelete6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
I know that I for sure am anxious about multiple things as the days go by. However, the way to fight this is to pray. Recently and often, when I feel the immediate notion to pray, I do. When something bothers me, I stop what I'm doing at the moment and I pray. I praise his name and lift my requests and anxieties to him. Whenever I start to worry, I pray. This takes great discipline and I will admit, I'm not perfect at it. But I strive for it, as we all should in order to live healthy lives, deepening our relationships with the Lord through communication with him.
verse 20:
ReplyDeleteTo our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord let your glory be the desire of our hearts.
13- "I can do everything through him who gives me strength"
ReplyDeleteThis is as plain and simple as it gets. Basically, Christ gives us the strength to do everything. Without Jesus we are nothing, but with him we are more valuable to our Lord as obedient worshipers. It is amazing that we even wake up every day. The fact that God gives us the mercy of forgiving our sins and giving us strength to do the most minuscule tasks such as getting dressed or hopping out of bed is a blessing. Note that when you get an A on your test or bring a friend to know Christ, it is not your own strength that allows this, but that of our Lord Jesus and that is the most important thing to remember.
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.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very powerful verse for me because it shows how big our God is. That in all of our stressful situations, no matter how bad, God is bigger than these problems an in him we can find peace. This also shows the love he has for us as he is giving us this peace that can only come from Him and is better than any other peace we can find on this earth.
20 "To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
ReplyDeleteIt's important to remember the true reason we exist....to serve God and bring glory to Him. Most of the time we forget that. But in the light of eternity and everything He's done for us, can there really be any other way?
Philippians 4:8
ReplyDeleteFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
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How often do we dwell on whatever is false, dishonorable, injust, hateful, shameful, selfish or self centered? I frequently find myself dwelling on my anger at other, or my own glory (as if there were anything glorious about me without the blessings of God), or playing out scenarios in my head that are trivial, meaningless or discordant.
We are supposed to dwell upon that which is pleasing to God. We are supposed to ruminate on it. We are supposed to chew it over again and again. We are supposed to think about it as we walk to class, and the night before a big test, and the hour after we receive our grades back.
God desires more than outward obedience and secrifice. He desires our very minds.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
ReplyDeleteAt a place like Tech, it is easy to become bogged down with work, to stress, maybe even to despair. Yet even when we are overburdened with commitments, the fact remains: God loves us and has adopted us into his family! We should be perpetually joyful for this reason. Also, importantly, we should treat all people with gentleness, kindness, so as not to misrepresent our God. He is love, and as such, we should love all his creation.