Philippians 4:4-9

June 7-8

(I am doing a combo tonight, because with new mama and baby coming home things will be  hopping more than with just a 13 month old!)

Talking this evening with a friend, who has been battling anxiety and spiritual attacks, we discussed how there are always going to be battles, but Christ will always pose victorious.

It was so good to look back at battles in our lives and recall the victories.  While talking Philippians 4:8 came to mind which in the NIV says....

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

We agreed to take that verse this weekend & dig into specific examples of the "whatevers".

For instance...whatever is true...God's Word.

After we chatted I decided to look up The Message translation of Philippians 4:4-9.

It is a real reason to shout Hallelujah!

As they say at restaurants when they bring you your food:

ENJOY!

(For when we are in Christ we are in joy.)

The Message

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 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.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.