by David Brenneman
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9.
"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." Philippians 4:11-12.
Are you thankful for everything that happens in your day? Shouldn't you? Is that not what we're told is the right thing to do in the Lord?
All the good, the bad, and the ugly, give thanks. Praying concerning everything that we encounter in our days on the Earth. Essentially that's what we read here. Even if it seems mundane, repetitious, boring...all that impacts your heart and mind is important to your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. We mean that much to Him.
Something that I have no proof concerning but rather believe because of His nature and who He is...is that in the day of the great marriage supper with Jesus is that somehow He will be able to sit with everyone at one time. All of us are that important to Him as His bride the Church. From the greatest to the least of these.
In our lives today we already mean that much to Him. He's ready to hear from all who believe at the same time because He is who He is. Nobody gets lost in the shuffle. Nobody gets forgotten. He intently listens to our prayers as if we were the only one's praying to Him.
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice! It actually has taken some time to get used to thanking God for everything in my day. Even for what didn't go right. Even for when I didn't get enough sleep. Even for...fill in the blank. Scripture says that in everything give thanks.
We serve a personal Savior. Who cares about us personally. That's why I believe that at the marriage supper of the Lamb He will be with each of us celebrating with each of us because we mean that much to Him.
We are highly valued because of what we have as adopted sons and daughters of God through what Jesus did on the cross to save us.
Regardless of what our days look like, He's there in the midst. Regardless of how life feels, He's there in the midst.
Regardless of what others think, He is there in the midst knowing the truth.
We have great reason to rejoice. Even with aches and pains. Even with infirmities. Even with illnesses.
God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Again, another reason to rejoice.
Turn from thoughts that aren't going to allow you to rejoice in the Lord.
Satan's schemes include you taking your eyes off of Jesus and onto your circumstances, your situations, your emotions, anything but on the truths of your position before your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29.
Nothing going on in your life today is insignificant to your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. From before you were born you were on His mind. He loved you with an everlasting love.
Let's live like these truths are true in our lives today.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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