Philippians 4:8-9

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8Finally, 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. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Just yesterday we saw that by taking your requests to the Lord, He will give you the peace that passes all understanding and that peace from God will guard your heart and mind. Once you have offered up your desire to the Lord, I think He will either give you that desire or change it!

Now, the concept of peace continues in these next two verses. NOTE the word "whatever" here. WHATEVER is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. DWELL ON THESE THINGS. I like this word WHATEVER, because it fits what I understand about our relationship with the Lord. He first wants us to be interested and then we are called to FOLLOW HIM. And within this followship we have an amazing freedom to dwell on the WHATEVERS, as long as they are not illegal, immoral or fattening. This all fits very nicely with Jesus' words of invitation when He says, "Come unto Me, all of you who are weary and burdened down with all of the do's and don'ts of religiosity and trying to be acceptable to God." COME UNTO ME and I will give you REST. This rest involves a lot of freedom-the whatevers here!

So, first of all, dwell on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute.

And, second, practice the things that you have learned, received, heard and seen in me. THEN, the God of peace will be with you. In verses 6-7 the PEACE OF GOD will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus. Here, the GOD OF PEACE will be with you, if you practice the things you have seen in Paul. Let me ask you something here. If those around you were to practice the things they have learned from you, received from you, heard from you and seen in you, what would be the result? Would they be assured of the GOD OF PEACE showing up in their lives? Or, would they experience just the opposite?

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed with the stresses of this life, work on applying the formula for peace here. Set your mind to dwell and meditate on the good things. Be a good finder. AND, if you want the God of peace to be with you, then practice the things you have learned, received, heard and seen in those who are spiritually mature around you.

There is one more thing that is the challenge to me throughout the letter to the Philippians. CAN I SAY TO OTHERS, "DO AS I DO!" or am I relegated to "DON'T DO AS I DO, BUT DO AS I TELL YOU TO DO!" I am more aware than ever in my life that those around me are counting on me to be faithful in my walk with Jesus. If I am not faithful, then those around me will not be challenged or encouraged at all, but will embrace more complacency in their lives. But it's important for you to understand that this is not all about me and those around me. But, more importantly, what we're discussing here in this passage is all about you and your walk. As you are walking your walk of faith, walk it in such a way that others will get something out of it--that you have something significant to share with others.

This is how we can all experience the peace of God that is beyond all comprehension and how the God of peace will be with you. It's the difference between living in peace or pieces. YOUR CHOICE!

Philippians 4:6-7

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6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is one of my favorite passages and so practical and powerful! Let's unpack each phrase.

6Be anxious for nothing, Now this is relevant to our lives. Don't worry about anything! What part of this do you not understand? It's not don't worry about some things or most things, do not worry about anything at all!

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving BUT IN EVERYTHING, not in some things, but in everything use general and specific prayer and don't forget to base it in gratefulness and thanksgiving.

Let your requests be made known to God. Offer up your desires to God. Now, think about this. Whatever you may desire-whether good, bad or ugly-tell the Lord about it. He already knows them, but there is a clarity and a powerful dynamic that emerges when you actually share your heart's desires with the Lord. It's like you're coming clean with your best friend.

Now, here's the result of refusing to worry, but to take your requests to the Lord. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, The peace of God which is far beyond anything you have ever experienced or imagined. Now NOTE, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Can you imagine anything more relevant than this? The most wholesome peace ever experienced and your hearts and minds will be guarded by it. Also, think of it this way. Paul and Timothy had experienced some pretty bizarre and nasty receptions most everywhere they went, yet they have discovered a secret for countering worry and anxiety in life.

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 MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. This passage doesn't need proof; it needs practice!

Philippians 4:1-5

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1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Apparently there is a little tension between two of the women in the fellowship-Euodia and Syntyche. He is urging those in the fellowship to come alongside them, these two women in particular, and with all the fellowship. He is saying, "Calm it all down." Jesus left us here on the planet to work out our differences in love. This is the primary way of demonstrating the His love in real life.

Three times in the next few verses the words "in the Lord" occur. Each one is connected to a command. All three are applicable to us today in the fellowship: FIRST-Stand firm in the Lord. Stay steady in the things of the Lord-with the things that please Him. Stand firm from engaging in disputes or needless arguments against one another. You see, you can stand firm on your own OR you can stand firm IN THE LORD. When you stand firm in the Lord, you will stand with grace and truth. You will say and do what Jesus would do in that situation.

SECOND-Live in harmony in the Lord. There is little harmony without being IN THE LORD. The "brotherhood" of man is impossible without the lordship of Jesus. When each one of us is IN THE LORD, there will be harmony in our fellowship with one another.

THIRD-Rejoice in the Lord always. Joy has nothing to do with what you have, where you are or whom you are with. Joy is the ability to enjoy the scenery while on a detour. He is not saying "be happy" in the Lord, because being happy has to do with circumstantial happenings. Happenings are temporary; joy is ongoing no matter what. So, the command is REJOICE or BE JOYFUL, not in your surroundings or anything else, but IN THE LORD.

You see, when you are IN THE LORD, you CAN stand firm. You CAN live in harmony and you CAN rejoice no matter the circumstances! When you are IN THE LORD, you are empowered in every way. So why would you ever want to be anywhere else than IN THE LORD? Yeah, why?

There's one more thing here of note. After giving these three commands, there is one more statement: "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men." In everything you do, let your demeanor be a gentle spirit of moderation, not antagonistic or powering yourself over another. This was an unusual spirit to posses in the Greek and Roman cultures. So, why would those in the fellowship be motivated to take on such an attitude? NOTE, because THE LORD IS NEAR! Again, IN THE LORD is the operable phrase. Being in the Lord is being IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. When you realize you are in His presence, your actions and attitude will be different. Now, that's a great way to live-IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

Philippians 4:1

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Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown.

NOTE that the church or gathered believers in Jesus in Philippi are said to be Paul's joy and crown. These believers were most likely brought to Jesus by Paul and Timothy (and other disciples traveling with them). And, not only were they introduced to Jesus, but they were discipled along the way-brought along in Jesus. He calls them "my joy and crown." There are two words translated "crown". One is diadema which means a royal crown or crown of kingship. The second is stephanos which has two meanings: It was the crown given to a victorious athlete at the Greek games. To win this crown was the peak of an athlete's experience. It was the crown with which guests were crowned when they sat at a banquet, at a time of celebration and great joy.

I believe Paul was saying that the Philippians were the crown of all his work. There is no joy like seeing someone in whom you have invested your time and energy-some portion of your life-grow and blossom spiritually and personally. It is the greatest thrill imaginable! It's like seeing your child make a hard decision and maturing in the process, knowing that you taught him that.

In a long season of my life I was placed in a ministry where I was speaking and teaching the masses. Although I saw a few come through who were obviously marked by Jesus through me-my joy and crown, it was very few. I saw lots of people who were introduced to Jesus through what I was doing, but did not experience the "bringing them along in Jesus." I was too busy doing the upfront thing to the masses. That was a season of my life with Jesus for which I am grateful, however I have been brought into a whole new season-an entirely new experience in ministry.

Today, after Jesus recaptured my heart, I am enjoying what it means to have men and women be "my joy and crown" and it is the most thrilling thing I've ever known! I want to encourage you to think outside yourself and all that you're wrapped up in-all that gives you joy and happiness-and invest yourself in others.

Come alongside others, help them through difficult times, support them in decision-making, and introduce them to the only person who can transform their lives inside and out. And when you see them grow and get through the struggles of life, embracing joy in a whole new way, investing their lives in others, you will be able to say with great enthusiasm, "You are my joy and crown." There is nothing more thrilling and satisfying than this! Try it out.

Philippians 3:12-16

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10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

1-That I may know Him-This is not to know a lot about Jesus, but to know Him personally, experientially! In order for you to cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus, you must learn more and more of what He said and did. Then, the more you ask, "What Would Jesus Do?", the more you will discover this Jesus intimately.

2-That I may know the power of His resurrection-Paul and Timothy shared this passion-to know the power of Jesus, the power that raised Jesus from the dead. It's important to realize that it was the resurrection power that changed the disciples from a weak-willed group of stumble-bums into a confident team of revolutionaries that turned the world upside down! When you know the power of the resurrection of Jesus, you know that it supersedes all powers within the universe.

3-That I may know the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death-Paul experienced this greatest of powers, the power of the resurrection, when Jesus apprehended him on the road to Damascus, THEN he was persecuted, beaten, stoned, thrown into prison and his life constantly threatened. He quickly came to know the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. You simply cannot have one without the other-the good with the bad. Note that the sufferings and death of Jesus is the greatest demonstration of love ever! To know and share in His sufferings and death is to absorb that principle into our lives, so that we may know how to be lovers in this cold, cruel world.

4-That I may attain to the resurrection of the dead-This is not expressing any doubt that there is the resurrection of the dead at the end, but an expression of Paul's ultimate goal that somehow, whatever the path may be, he will make it to the grand day of the resurrection.

These heart desires give great insight into what Paul and Timothy felt was most important. And, it sets an example for us. I have meditated on these verses over the years, but I've never felt more in tune in my heart with these desires than I do today. I want to know Jesus better, THE PERSON OF JESUS AND NOT JUST THE FACTS ABOUT HIM!

I want to know and experience the power of His resurrection, THE POWER OF JESUS AND NOT BE LIMITED TO MY ABILITIES!

I want to know the fellowship of His sufferings by being conformed to His death, THE PICTURE OF JESUS' LOVE FOR EVERYONE!

I want to somehow attain to the resurrection of the dead, no matter what road God leads, THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF DEFEATING DEATH THROUGH THE RESURRECTION PAVES THE WAY FOR MY RESURRECTION SOMEDAY!

This reminds me Jesus' words in the Gospel of John, I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; HE THAT BELIEVES IN ME, EVEN THOUGH HE DIES SHALL LIVE! I want to live that resurrection life and share in the sufferings of Jesus. How about you?