Philippians 4

PREFACE

Philippians 4 without a doubt has to be one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Whenever I am faced with situations that seem impossible God takes me back to this chapter as a foundation so that I will not be knocked off course. I am currently confronted with one of those situations and have to overcome a lot of fear by ultimately placing my trust in God. In the coming weeks I may have to make some harsh decisions but my desire is to not be moved by emotions but to ultimately hear from God in the process. There is indeed a plan that God has given to me and there are many things that are trying to get me off of that plan. But I know that God will see to it that I am taken care of and that His plan will indeed come to pass. Even if it is down a different path than I thought would help make it happen.

This morning while coming back to Philippians 4 God talked to me about Paul’s heart as he was sending his love and appreciation to the Church at Philippi in this chapter. He showed me that the words that he wrote were purely from his seeking the Lord and the Lord’s heart being revealed to him in the process. I asked the Holy Spirit to talk to me and put it in perspective and applicable to my current situation and to talk to me specifically through those words that Paul shared with the Church at Philippi. Here is what He said:

PHILIPPIANS 4

David I love you with all of my heart and love every minute that I can have with you. I delight in the fact that I created you and will boast of you to all that will hear me. So don’t let those who refuse to listen cause you heartache or to be shaken.

When serving, make sure that you maintain my heart and my mind in the midst of it and don’t allow confusion any place in the midst of it with you or those who are working with you. Regarding those who are working with you, look out for them, take care of them and make sure that their needs are being taken care of.

I long for you to give Me the strongest praise from the inner depths of your heart. I understand that you are going through some things right now but don’t give those things a second thought. Instead do what I originally told you… Give Me the strongest praise from the inner depths of your heart.

Don’t let pride and thoughts of the need to prove yourself override the fact that I am right here with you and I am really the one who wants to take care of you if you will let me. So don’t fly off at the handle or put on any show for others. If you do it will show ultimately how out of control you truly are and this will ultimately make things worse. Instead talk to me about things, let me know what is troubling your heart, let me know your dreams, your desires and realize while you are telling me this that I put those desires there and I want them to come to pass for you. Isn’t that exciting? When you really grasp this you will actually be able to get settled in these things and those “self-defeating thoughts” will not even be able to get near you because I will destroy them before they even have a chance.

There are a lot of “false teachings”, “false doctrines” and elements of slander in this world today and they come in all sorts of forms. Be it through the news media, internet, and just general conversation. Those reports should have no bearing on your life – instead focus in on the Word that I have told you. After all, that is what gives you life, purpose, direction and meaning. It is what is worthy of respect and honor. Ultimately it is truth and that is what I stand for and who I am and that is in you as well. You have those things in your heart and are they are undeniable so act on those things – go after them with fervor and watch my hand at work in the process.

When you labor, do it in Me knowing that My heart is for My people and I want what’s best for them and that should be your heart as well. That is also My heart for you and I will speak to others about those needs and desires so that they can help you as well! Don’t worry about those things and be careful to let your words be controlled by the current lack en lieu of My good report for you. Instead stay on My word and let my peace permeate from your very being. Your flesh knows how to show the emotions quite well so instead put it into submission to who you truly are, your spirit man! When your flesh is weak, call on My Name and watch My power come into action and how that will change the circumstances.

In regards to finances know that what you have sown is most certainly not in vain. Your desire to help advance My Kingdom and help others in the process will not only minister to those who were in need but it will also bring a mighty harvest into your life. Your desire to help others was so much greater than the focus on your own needs and desires and for that I am going to see to it that you have the fullness of my riches in an account that is ready for immediate withdrawal because I know that I can trust you with this account because you are my ready and willing child through your acceptance of Jesus Christ of Nazareth not just as your Savior or substitute but ultimately accepting His Lordship!

So again, give Me the strongest praise from the inner depths of your heart and do it without ceasing because My word to you will never change or be fruitless in your life. Knowing that I cannot lie and that is what I said, that is what I promise, so that is it… plain and simple!

Oh and be sure to be ready to welcome every child of mine with that love that I just talked about, My love. This will keep you and show others that I really do exist and minister to them. Showing them as I told you that I cannot lie and my word is true, it is a promise, and that is it… plain and simple!

GLORY TO GOD!!!

This Kind Of Love....

(this is a bit of a long read but it is something God has helped me with and I thought it would be good to share)

The world has put out what it's concept of love is trying to incorporate a "selfish" mentality that is ultimately rooted in religion and tries to blame others for the problems in their life. I want to do everything that I can to rid myself of that mentality and get to know God's love like never before. I know that there has been many times that I have fallen short but I am thankful that God's love has helped me realize who I am and I am finally at the point of where I can love myself. I also realize that this same love is what I am to show everyone at all times no matter what is going on.

As I have been growing in this I have really been asking God for His word to be opened up to me and He has shown me some powerful things that I am using as a guideline in my relationship with others. Not in the religious "thou shall not" sense but more of a checklist that I can evaluate how I interact with others. Did it line up with His love completely? What can I do to make this better the next time? When I have realized that I have fallen short I don't get into condemnation, but I get excited because I know that the next time my reactions will be better!

Again the world tries to portray in a way that is so far from the way that God has intended but God has helped me with my understanding. The following is what the Holy Spirit helped me with as I have read through the foundational "love chapter", 1 Corinthians 13 in the Amplified Bible.

This kind of love…

I can be schooled greatly and even know God and His Word but if I don't grasp His love for me and His love for others and operate in that love my thoughts and actions are without any worth whatsoever and I can forget about my Faith even working even if it is entirely within God's will. I can give of myself, my time and my finances and if it isn't by God's love I might as well burn it all without any expectation of harvest. What exactly is this love? Beyond it being God Himself it is the following nature.

This kind of love endures everything and everyone that tries us and our patience and in the midst of these trials will always show the goodness of God no matter how badly they are treated and will never hold a grudge.

This kind of love never sees another person with jealousy in their heart and even if the temptation to be jealous arises it will NEVER lash out because of it.

This kind of love does not go around telling others of how great they are and gossip about how others are not meeting the mark. Because this kind of love understands that everyone is growing and learning and that this is a process that never stops no matter how old you may get.

This kind of love does not let pride get in the way of the relationships in their life and always treats others fairly. It ultimately acts respectfully towards others. It doesn't get consumed with any way that they were wronged and standing up for their rights but puts others before themselves and it most certainly does not lash out in anger. Nor does it hold any grudge or bitterness towards others.

This kind of love does not celebrate when somebody "gets what's coming to them" or has a "I told you so" attitude. Along with this it does not go around gossiping to others about these things. Rather it celebrates when the God's goodness and blessings are poured out on others and will be quick to point out only those good things to others.

This kind of love, no matter what kind of battle or opposition it is faced with, looks at everyone and sees them for who they are truly are, God's beautiful creation that has a call and a purpose and needs support in their call. If anyone comes to them with "contrary reports" they are quick to stop those reports and defend that person at a moment's notice. It will always believe the best no matter how "peer pressure" will try to make them think otherwise.

This kind of love shows a loyal and dependable person that people can count on and isn't given into the "new and exciting" things. Rather it is consistent and faithful from beginning to end. Thos new and exciting things, those rumors, and even the book knowledge will find it's end but this kind of love is timeless and lasts forever and ever.

Knowledge, ability, strength, and our thoughts and concepts will only last for a little while. But these things have nothing to do with perfection and maturity. To hold on to and rely on these things is actually a mark of immaturity and the only way I can even begin to grow is to walk in this kind of love. So I need to throw the rest aside.

Take a good look at yourself… what do you see? Do you REALLY see who you are or what this world and others has made you out to be? Do you see a person who has been fulfilled and satisfied? Sure you may see some of the things that may be who you are, but don't you want to see the fullness? Then really take the time to know this kind of love. Evaluate yourself, how you are with others and your actions. Do they line up with all of the aforementioned? Do they line up with this kind of love?

Faith is good and we need it, we go to God's word and speak it. Hope is what keeps us going in the confident expectation that God will give us every single promise he told us. But again let me emphasize that you might as well throw it all away if you don't have this kind of love.

Do you know "this kind of love"?