I didn’t intend to write today. It’s been a turbulent day, to say the least. I didn’t intend to go in to the office today, but some friends needed to talk. And if they hadn’t, who knows what could have happened? Someone showed up, unexpectedly, and had a weapon. It wasn’t a lethal weapon (but who knows, any more?), and if these friends didn’t want to drink coffee and talk, my friend and I wouldn’t have been in the church office to deal with this person, and they would have been alone there, possibly, with my wife or someone else. As I’m sitting here, for the first time today, in a quiet space reflecting on it (I’m getting ready to do my bible Study, which I also have not yet got to do), I’m in awe of how great God is, and how so much is working behind the scenes that we do not even know about.
Loved ones, I’m not feeling anxious, but I definitely am coming off the adrenaline from today. Even so, the words of Paul in Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” is ringing through my mind. God knows what we need. We need not be anxious. Whether in living, or dying, we just need to seek His will, and He will handle, whether we live or die, all the needs we have (note that wants aren’t necessarily on there?). Let us rely on Christ. He died for us so that sin and death have no hold on us. Let us, then, live boldly for Him, seeking to do everything we can for His honor and glory.
Philippians 3:12-4:9
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
