Today we’re wrapping up Philippians with reading chapter 4 together. Below are a few thoughts:
- Paul begins this final chapter by encouraging his readers to stand firm in their faith in Jesus.
- He also tells them to rejoice in everything and to live in a way that other people will be drawn to them. He also tells them what to think about.
- Do you protect your thoughts? Paul gave his readers a test to know what they should think about. Read each of these words and ask yourself: Do these words define the thoughts I allow to roam inside my mind? Are my thoughts:
- right
- pure
- lovely
- admirable
- excellent
- praiseworthy
- Paul ends with telling them his secret to being content in life. He said no matter how his life looks he can do anything God has for him through God’s strength. This is great for us to remember because we often try to do things out of our own strength and only involve God when we’re in trouble. However, Paul said he seeks God for his strength from the start.
We all need to be reminded to stand firm in our faith from time to time. How are you standing right now? Does your life draw people to ask questions about how you’re able to live in such peace? How’s your thought life? Do you protect what you allow yourself to think about? What types of thoughts occupy your mind most of the time? Ask God to help your thoughts line up with the words Paul recommends to his readers in this chapter. Lastly, do you try to do things on your own or do involve God in everything you do? One of the coolest things about following Jesus is that He says He wants to do life with us, every second of every day. That’s really cool.
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