Running the Race – #44 Philippians 4:20-23 – Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Philippians 4:20‭-‬23 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.20-23.NASB As we conclude our study through Philippians, we come to the reason behind it all. What is the reason that we run this race? What is the reason we are able to endure? How do we keep ficused on the finish line when everything around us is falling apart? We are focused…

Running the Race – #43 Philippians 4:18-19 – But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:18‭-‬19 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.18-19.NASB God meets our needs. No matter what we are facing, God always knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Most of the time, we don’t even understand that ourselves. Paul recognized that the Philippians had sent money to him and that had helped to supply his needs in…

Running the Race – #42 Philippians 4:17 – Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.Philippians 4:17 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.17.NASB Paul had been mentioning his thankfulness for the various gifts that the people of Philippi had sent him. They had delivered money to him at a time when he was in need and he is very thankful and grateful to them for it. However, he wants them to understand he’s not thankful specifically for the money. Paul knew that God would supply his needs through whatever means God deemed necessary. In this case, God happened to use the money that the Philippines…

Running the Race – #41 Philippians 4:14-16 – Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.Philippians 4:14‭-‬16 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.14-16.NASB There seems to be a lot of affliction going around right now. Between the social distancing and the COVID-19 virus and all the worry and anxiety that is producting, we all seem to have our things that we are struggling with. Paul…

Running the Race – #40 Philippians 4:12-13 – 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. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.Philippians 4:12‭-‬13 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.12-13.NASB The secret to making it through. Paul claims that he has found the secret to being content in all things, as he mentioned yesterday. Today, we see in these verses how no matter the circumstance or the situation, whether things are going well or going badly, Paul knows that…

Running the Race – #39 Philippians 4:10-11 – But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.Philippians 4:10‭-‬11 NASBhttps://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.10-11.NASB Content. With all the things that are going on around us, how many of us can truly say that we are content. Paul, as he is writing this from prison, speaks these words and indicates that he has learned to be content. It’s interesting that the word he uses is “learned.” He didn’t just automatically…

Running the Race – #38 Philippians 4:9 – 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 4:9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.9.NASB Remember learning that peace is the guard of your heart from a couple of days ago? How do we get, not only the peace of God in our lives, but the God of peace in our lives? Here, Paul tells us that if we will do what we have learned and what we know to do, then God will be with us. God will work and move in our lives if we will…

Running the Race – #37 Philippians 4:8 – 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. Philippians 4:8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.8.NASB What are our thoughts fixed on? What do we think about? This is a very exclusice list that Paul gives us in this verse, yet what kind of a difference would it make in our lives if we only thought about the things that were in this list? We are surrounded by so much evil and anger and sin that has…

Running the Race – #36 Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.7.NASB What do you think of when you think of a guard? Often times the image of a big burly security guard comes to mind. Or even some elaborate security system or uniformed officer is what we picture as a guard. Yet what does Paul mention here that will guard our hearts and minds? Peace. Not what you would expect to be the guard of our hearts and minds, and yet peace is what keeps us focused on the things…

Running the Race – #35 Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.4.6.NASB Anxiety comes with prayerlessness. As we fail to seek the Lord or come to him with our needs and concerns, we experience anxiety. All of our situations that we go through should be brought to the throne of God with prayer so that he can direct us and lead us in how we are to respond and cope and make it through. We can only make it through the situations we go through with his help and…