I know these thoughts are very familiar to us, but after reading Philippians again this weekend, I realized I needed the reminders. There were several of these wise words that I had lost in my daily duties, and what we don’t use, we lose. Sometimes I get into a deception that if I have read something, I am doing it, but the peace is not there until there is practice. So I pass these reminders on to you so you can come back to peace for yourself.
LOOK FOR THE BEST AND HIGHEST.
“I want you to be able always to recognize the highest and the best.” Phil. 1:10 Don’t just recognize the best but the highest. There are a lot of people who are the best at what they do, but they do very bad things – crime, fraud, judge, bully, deceive, etc. So it has to be the highest good.
LIVE FROM SOURCE
“For it is God who is at work within you giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.” Phil. 2:13 When we don’t feel like doing anything, sit back, relax, and ask God to motive you to take the next step.
STOP COMPLAINING
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Phil 2:14-16 NIV If we stop complaining we will be very bright lights in this dark world, because that is very unusual.
GET INTO HIS INTERESTS
“All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Phil 2:21 What are his interests? Here are just a few things he loves: Listening ears, I Sam. 15:22, honesty with ourselves Psa. 51:6, truth Jn. 17:17, our trust Prov. 3:5, broken hearts Psa. 51:17, forgiveness Matt. 18:21-35, humility I Pet. 5:5, love and washing feet Jn. 13:14.
GET YOUR KICKS WITH HIM
“Delight yourselves in the Lord, yes, find your joy in Him at all times.” Phil. 4:4 His plan is not boring. It satisfies our need for adventure. If we are bored, we are probably not obeying.
BE GENTLE
“Have a reputation for gentleness.” Phil. 4:5 Start a chain reaction of kindness where you are.
REMEMBER THE LORD IS HERE
“Never forget the nearness of the Lord.” Phil. 4:5 He never leaves or forsakes us.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING
“Don’t worry over anything whatever.” Phil. 4:6 The Greek for ANYTHING IS ANYTHING!
TELL THE LORD WHAT YOU NEED
“Tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer.” Phil. 4:6 Tell Him and incomprehensible peace will follow. Tell others and you will be left hanging.
SET YOUR MIND ON THE GOOD
“Fix your minds on whatever is true, honorable and just and pure and lovely and praiseworthy.” Phil. 4:8. The mind set on the flesh is death. The mind set on the spirit is life and peace.
CULTIVATE CONTENTMENT
“I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know how to live when things are difficult and when things are prosperous.” Phil. 4:11 Things that happen to us turn out the way they should in the end.
AND REMEMBER:
His peace will mount guard over our hearts. Phil. 4:7
We can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Phil. 4:13
He will supply all our needs from His resources. Phil. 4:19
From the journal of Jim May Oct 20, 2013 www.jimmay.org