This is taken from my facebook page. It is the last 'note' that I posted yet I do believe that it could be beneficial to an individual that may be up at this hour, in need of a little encouragement. I pray that it will cause you to seek Christ.
Go with me to Paul's letter to the church in Philippi.
Philippians 4;4-7 (KJV): Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Now, I should be able to end this presentation right here but, what is to be highlighted is the neat "tucked in" expression within the scripture. Go back to the scripture (spend a moment and read again), now read verse 5 again.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Okay, understand Paul wrote this epistle to a group of people who didn't have knowledge of Christ Jesus and his power until he met a few Philippians (Lydia and a number of other women) while on his second missionary journey to preach the Gospel in Macedonia--Acts 16;9-14. Alot can be learned when you have to sit in the company of those who are bound by the classic definition of the word 'ignorant' (this may be a good time to go and look up that definition.... I will wait.)
Anyway, this letter is written by Paul as he is in prison in Rome-- Philippians 4;18-- and the overall tone of the letter is that of Christ's all-sufficiency; Him giving meaning to life and causing people to serve Him, even unto death-- Philippians 1;20-21.
Focusing on the scripture particular to this presentation, we see right out the gate that we are being asked to "Rejoice", always. It is emphasized even more with the addition of, 'and again I say, Rejoice' Do you see?.... This is a request, better yet a demand: if you will. No matter what is before you: Rejoice!! Yeap, that bill IS due, that person IS aggravating, and your mama DID borrow money from not to pay it back but, Rejoice!! Oh, by the way, you FOUND your love in bed with your family member..... and again I say Rejoice!!!!! Of course this is difficult, but remember this is a letter to a people who are receiving a power, a calm, a comfort, a joy, and a Life they have never known before, nor did they know that it was right at their fingertips. Understand??? They had to be reminded. They are not like us; in today's time, we have the Word. It is right over there next to you, ready to be read and put into practice. Some of us can recite verses with ease and in effortless tempo. So maybe 'to Rejoice' ain't that difficult for us..... maybe I didn't need to use so much sarcasm.
Moving over to verse 6:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks giving let your requests be made known unto God
Let us place direct attention on 'but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving' Once again, remember, this is for a people that don't know, and since we need to seriously understand, like they didn't.... or maybe they did: for I am going to break down those three, important words so 'right understanding' is gained. First let's start with prayer.
Prayer : In the Greek-- proseuche (pros-yoo-khay), it's base word; a compound word is: proseuchomai (pros-yoo-khom-ahee) meaning to pray; to God in worship by moving toward God with the request. Now, this word 'prayer' is our act of worshipping God because He can answer our request.
Let us breakdown the next word, which is supplication.
Supplication : In the Greek-- deesis (deh-ay-sis), it's base word is: deomai (deh-om-ahee) meaning to beg; as in binding oneself. Now, this word 'supplication' is another form of request, just more dire or imminent. It puts me in the mind of the innocent man inside an interrogation room of the police station asking; begging to be released.
Thirdly, we breakdown the last word thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving : In the Greek-- eucharistia (yoo-khar-is-tee-ah), it's base word; a compound word is: eucharistos (yoo-khar-is-tos) meaning to be well favored because of a gracious action bestowed upon you. This word 'thanksgiving' is gratitude towards God, actually it is the use of gracious language towards God.
AIN'T YOU GLAD THE BREAKDOWN HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!!
Whoa! That is another presentation, right there..... LOL Hallelujah!
We are told to 'be careful for nothing' because *when we worship God for being the one that grants requests, and the immediate answer to our MUCH NEEDED requests; our begging Him, we will use that gracious language known when moving towards Him. UNDERSTAND? This is the qualifier to verse 5. In the sense that the two verses could be seen (in those days) as flipped around. For we read, just as the Philippians did; learning for the first time: overcoming their ignorance, that we are to 'let our moderation be known unto all men' and this is told to us right after hearing that we are to ALWAYS REJOICE.
"Hold on!!!!!", is what I imagine the people in Philippi were saying.... "How are we to show this....., this 'moderation'?"
Well people, you do it by 'being careful for nothing'. Again, do you understand? Look at verses 5 and 6 again. Are you understanding???? (Is your ignorance fading away) I AM REJOICING!!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
The people of Philippi; the Philippians and the people of Facebook; the Facebookians share one thing in common. They both almost allowed for the bridge to go unannounced and unnoticed; to remain 'ignorant'. That very last portion of verse 5.
The Lord is at hand
This is the caveat that washes away that ignorance. The Lord is at hand...., He is present; in your life. Right now, to give EVERLASTING life. He is presented to you at this moment, for you to grasp Him: to obtain the gift He brings with Him. Salvation!!!!! Now, do you UNDERSTAND????!!!!! Of course we can Rejoice and again Rejoice. Of course we can be careful for nothing. letting all our prayers and supplications be with thanksgiving. Of course we can let our moderation be known unto all men. Why? Because the Lord is at hand. And, because the Lord is at hand, we can obtain a Salvation that has another set of benefits intertwined within.... OH! Here is the place of the SHOUT!!!! Verse 7.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
Now you should UNDERSTAND!!!!! Brother and Sisters, whether you are of knowledge or considered ignorant, this presentation comes so that you can continue to move forward; from whatever point you find yourself in, at this time. Verse 7 wraps up the eradication of ignorance. Who doesn't desire to have that peace? That peace.... of God?! C'mon, look at what it does, this peace, it passeth all.... yeap, that's right, ALL UNDERSTANDING!!!!!!! No more ignorance!!!!!! I know I am grateful for Christ Jesus, and the Peace He has brought to me. All because I give my requests, and all my begging to Him, with language of thanks and praise; to leave them before Him. Again, for the last time, I ask, do you UNDERSTAND? Why would there be anymore ignorance to the access or ability to reach Him? Why would there be anymore ignorance to the walking towards Him; in worship of Him with prayer and praise? Why would there be an ignorance to His redemptive nature and the gift of Salvation; which He has and brings with Him upon you meeting Him?
HOW IGNORANT IS THAT?
Holla,
Yer Brova Catalyst
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