Something to Think About

"Something to Think About" - Philippians 4:5-7 Paul (Philippians 4:5) advises him to promptly (hurry) so that his moderation (quality, simple, mere, wise, attitude that is chosen in the form of behavior or acting) before the possibility of managing according to the most unconscious instincts, desires or will (without realizing it) is known to all men. Gentleness (kindness and courtesy).

I. This has also been translated "surrender," sweet reasonableness (reasonable), and willingness to compromise in one's own way.

A. The difficulty is "not" in "understanding" what it means, but in "obeying" the command imposed (precept) "before men."

1. The Lord is near can mean that the Lord is now present, "it is good to think so."

2. You can think that the coming of the Lord is approaching.

3. (Philippians 4:6) "Be anxious about nothing" (abundance = great quantity).

4. Is it really possible for a Christian to "not fret" about anything?

5. It is possible as long as we have the resource of the prayer of faith.

6. The rest of the universe goes on to explain how our lives can be freed from sinful concerns.

7. Rather, "in everything," by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known before God.

8. Everything should be brought to the Lord in prayer.

9. Everything means that: "everything."

10. There is nothing too big or too small for His loving solicitude! (diligence, care, petition, request, supplication, attention).

11. Prayer is both an act and an atmosphere, it is not of gases like the earth, it is the glory of the Lord over our lives.

12. We turn to the Lord on specific occasions and bring specific requests before Him.

13. But it is also possible to live in an atmosphere of prayer. Amen.

14. It is possible that the mood (mode or disposition, attitude, style, or way of doing something) of our life is one of full prayer.

15. Perhaps the word prayer in this verse means the overall attitude (total, general whole) of our lives, while request or supplication refers to the concrete "requests" we make to the Lord.

16. But then we should observe that our "petitions" should be "presented to God"... with thanksgiving.

17. How to say: He heard them, and according to His will He will do, He will answer.

18. He knows how He's going to do the things that are best for our lives.

19. Someone has recapitulated (summarized) this verse as saying that we should "have no anxiety" about anything, pray at everything, and be thankful for anything.

20. Don't complain, pray for everything.

21. So, you are giving God total control of your life, so you will rest, and you will not live so anxious or extremely worried.

22. (Philippians 4:7) If these attitudes characterize our lives, "the peace of God" that surpasses all understanding, will "guard your hearts" and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

23. God is peace that goes beyond all our understanding, for He guards our hearts and our thoughts in Christ Jesus.

24. Your heart and thought are stored in Christ Jesus, they are safe, and Christ Jesus knows perfectly well what worries you.

25. The peace of God is a feeling of holy rest and complacency (satisfaction, complacency) that floods the soul of the believer when he is leaning totally on God.

26. In a peace that surpasses all understanding.

27. The people of the world cannot comprehend it at all, and even Christians who possess it find a wonderful element (piece, fundamental) integral to a thing (peace) of mystery in it.

28. They feel surprised at their own lack of anxiety in the face of tragedies or adverse circumstances.

29. This "peace" guards the heart and life of the mind.

30. (1 Peter 5:7) Believers have the privilege of casting "all" their anxieties upon the Lord with the intense confidence that "He cares."

31. Anxiety is unnecessary; we have no need to bear burdens when He is willing to bear them for us.

32. It is useless to be distressed; Anguish has never solved any problem.

33. Anxiety is a sin.

34. A preacher said: Anxiety is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He does not know what He is doing.

35. It denies God's love; it says He doesn't care about us.

36. And it denies God's power; it says He is not able to deliver me from whatever is causing me anxiety.

37. Something to think about! Amen.