We'll continue adding to our verses of joy with the last verse of our Philippians 4 grouping. This is another section of Bible verses that seem to build on each other...and the last one is one of the great ones. I always hesitate to say that one verse or another is "my favorite" because I know that every word given to us by God through Holy Scripture is important and vital. But it is true that some come to us at times when we need them so much that they embed themselves in our souls and we find ourselves leaning on them again and again. This is one of those verses for me and one that I have shared many times with others.
But it is the beginning of a new week, and we must first review where we have already been. The beauty of our journey continues, as we look back and as we anticipate what is coming! On the Appalachian Trail we would now be in Connecticut, hiking through the Housatonic River Valley. Doesn't this scene look peaceful? It makes me think of Psalm 23..."He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul."
So let's look back and then we'll start moving forward again...
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
And now Philippians 4:7 -
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (KJV)
This is one of those verses that I first learned in the King James Version and I just cling to that wording. But if you prefer another, feel free to substitute! I do love the way The Message paraphrases this verse,
So, "Peace/Joy"...can you have one without the other? I know a few people who seem to revel in turmoil, but I think "seem to" explains that misperception. The people that I witness who seem to be truly joyful are those who are also peacemakers. They go about their lives living out Romans 12:18 (remember that one?), "If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone." They exhibit an inner peace that doesn't seem natural at times, and with that peace they share joy.
On this National Day of Prayer, please join me and so many others in praying for our nation, that we, as a nation "under God", recognize that our multitude of blessings have come from His hand to be a light to the world. This day was established in 1952 by President Harry Truman and formalized in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to be observed on the first Thursday of May of each year. I am including in my prayer thankfulness for these men of God, along with our founding fathers whose faith in God formed this nation's foundation. God bless America and enable us to be a blessing to the world!
But it is the beginning of a new week, and we must first review where we have already been. The beauty of our journey continues, as we look back and as we anticipate what is coming! On the Appalachian Trail we would now be in Connecticut, hiking through the Housatonic River Valley. Doesn't this scene look peaceful? It makes me think of Psalm 23..."He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul."So let's look back and then we'll start moving forward again...
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
And now Philippians 4:7 -
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (KJV)
This is one of those verses that I first learned in the King James Version and I just cling to that wording. But if you prefer another, feel free to substitute! I do love the way The Message paraphrases this verse,
"Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."And I also really like hearing it through the words of the Hebrew Names Bible,
"The shalom of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua."Isn't that beautiful? Only a quick note of commentary on our verse and then I'll close for today. Note that the verse starts with "And." This is key to realizing that this verse ties directly to the conditions of the previous verses we've already studied. Look above and read Philippians 4:4, 5, and 6 and then immediately add to it verse 7. When we do that, it's clear that when we do the things we are instructed to in the first three verses, then verse 7 will be the result.
So, "Peace/Joy"...can you have one without the other? I know a few people who seem to revel in turmoil, but I think "seem to" explains that misperception. The people that I witness who seem to be truly joyful are those who are also peacemakers. They go about their lives living out Romans 12:18 (remember that one?), "If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone." They exhibit an inner peace that doesn't seem natural at times, and with that peace they share joy.
On this National Day of Prayer, please join me and so many others in praying for our nation, that we, as a nation "under God", recognize that our multitude of blessings have come from His hand to be a light to the world. This day was established in 1952 by President Harry Truman and formalized in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to be observed on the first Thursday of May of each year. I am including in my prayer thankfulness for these men of God, along with our founding fathers whose faith in God formed this nation's foundation. God bless America and enable us to be a blessing to the world!
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