Today’s Scripture: Philippians 4:4, NET- “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!”
We all face conflict. Paul reminds us here in Philippians that even when there is conflict in our lives we must remember to rejoice in the Lord. Regardless of what we are facing we can remember that we belong to the LORD. Philippians 4:2, NLT states: “Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.”
In other translations Paul is encouraging these women to be of the same mind of the Lord. Sometimes we do not even remember why we are in conflict with others any more than we know why Euodia and Syntyche were at odds. We know we can become sideways in our relationships. The good news is that we can always get back to Godways when we rejoice in who He is and who we are in Him.
Gentleness is a word I keep tripping over in the scriptures as I have become aware this is an area of need in my life. Philippians 4:5 tells us “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (NIV) Our joy or lack thereof is also evident. No matter the whirlwind of emotions at any given moment, we can stop and recall who the Lord is and rejoice in Him.
Always and in anything we are reminded in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (NIV) I do love how God and the scriptures can sneak up on you and give you exactly what you need in any given moment.
Losing my train of thought by Googling who Euodia and Syntyche were and why they were arguing, I did not even realize I was arriving at Philippians 4:6. Like a cold glass of water to the face, we can break our current state of mind or pattern to be shocked into remembering that in every situation and everything we can turn to God with thanksgiving and rejoicing and ask for help.
This is where we find peace. As Paul promised in Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) It makes little sense, and we may think to ourselves, it is easy for you to rejoice but you do not understand my situation. But Paul is saying, regardless of your situation, find some way to find joy in God. As a result you will find a peace that transcends your current understanding, and it will bring you into the mind of God.
The mind of Christ does guard our hearts and minds from ourselves. When we find ourselves stuck in our stinking thinking, Jesus Christ can bring us into a place of thinking about what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy as is encouraged in Philippians 4:8. In these thoughts we know the God of peace is with us.
We can choose today to rejoice greatly as Paul expressed in Philippians 4:10. Like Paul in Philippians 4:11, we can learn to be content and joyful in whatever our circumstances may be. Again I say, rejoice! Will you find a way to rejoice in the LORD today? We can do it because it is Christ who gives us strength to rejoice in all circumstances.
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father I am rejoicing in You. I am praying to have Your mind always. Thank You for our Lord Jesus Christ who guards our hearts and minds. Forgive me, LORD, for when I venture into the mind of my flesh. Please draw me back into Your thoughts that are always pure and true. In the mind of Christ we are praying. Amen.
Leave a Reply