Philippians 4 - What We Know

So the last few days I've talked about verses from Philippians 4 and what we can learn from them.  It is one of my favorite chapters.  It gives so much direction and encouragement.  It gives me answers.


Do you have a lot of questions?  Sometimes I feel like that's all I do is ask why or how.  How to I manage this, how to I pay that, why did this happen?  Do you have those days?  It's so hard to apply what I know, that God is in control, to the chaos that I seem to live in.


One of the things that stands out to me on this chapter is the order of things.  1) Rejoice, 2) God's peace, 3) I can do all things & 4) God will supply my needs.  It starts with my rejoicing.  I think that is true in our lives as well.  If we want God's peace, we must rejoice.  If we want to conquer giants and move mountains, we must rejoice.  If we want our needs met, we must rejoice.


I'm guilty of wanting it in the other order, Lord do something and I'll rejoice.  Yet here we are clearly shown it begins with us rejoicing!  Rejoice in the chaos because God can put it in order.  Rejoice in the sorrow because God promises a better tomorrow.  Rejoice when the storms are raging because we know the Peacemaker.  Rejoice just because He is!




Once we learn to rejoice because He is, we free Him to do what He does!  He is waiting on us to acknowledge Him and the awesomeness of who He is.  He has much to give us and all He is waiting on is for us to hold up our hands to receive.  As our joy and praise flows up, His blessings flow down, it is a two conduit. 


Do you need God's peace, His strength, His comfort, His intervention?  Then praise Him, you know He is able, praise Him for what He can do, for what He will do! Don't let the devil slide his doubts or fears into your heart.  He is a liar, he the cause of chaos and unrest.  The devil doesn't want you to praise, that is reason enough to praise right there, it makes the devil mad.


Now, let's be clear, praise doesn't mean you won't have problems.  In fact, the closer you get to God the more the devil wants to stop you!  But God's grace far outweighs anything the devil can throw at you.  He is able!  If you need encouragement and joy in your life, spend some time in the book of Philippians.  Let God speak to you.