Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:14-19

When Paul traveled around Asia Minor, he didn’t worry about how much money was in his bank account, or how his stocks were doing. No Paul trusted in The Lord with all his heart and was obedient to his calling. As Paul says here “But God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ”

The Lord Jesus said this “don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will put on, is life not more than food? Is the body more than clothing”? (Matthew 6:25) Christ told us to “not sweat the small stuff”, like our daily food and clothing, because there is more to life than this! Just as God provides for even the birds, surely God will provide for you also! (Matthew 6:26)

Now I understand, this is easier said than done, right? There’s alot of people in this world who are struggling daily to put food on the table, struggling to pay their bills, struggling to keep a roof over their heads, but where is Christ in all of this? We don’t have to struggle alone, God is with us always! You might say, well how can God help me? God uses the Church, the hands and feet of Christ, to feed the hungry, to give clothing to the needy, to shelter the homeless.  This is what Christ has called us to do, to be the Salt and Light (Matthew 5)

Look at Pauls journey, while he was busy serving The Lord, the Church was providing for him. The Church of Philippi provided for Paul even when he was in other cities. Did Paul require them to do this? No, they did it because they were obedient servants of Christ. God provided for Paul, through his people. Isn’t it a beautiful thing how this all works. 

Maybe you’re afraid to step out and serve The Lord, God will provide! Maybe you’re afraid to leave your high paying job to answer Christs calling, God will provide! This is not about prosperity, this about God will never leave or forsake you, where you go, Amen!

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. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:6-9

Since the beginning the world has been in search for peace. No matter how much money you have, or what your social status is, if you don’t have peace, you don’t have anything. There’s a saying “Know Jesus and Know Peace, No Jesus and No Peace” This is absolutely true, without Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior , you will never find or have peace

The world spends trillions of dollars trying to obtain world peace through military and political power, but not only completely fails but the world gets worse on a daily basis. Why? Because humans can’t solve the big issue, only God can through Jesus Christ. So why can’t we find peace? Because our sinful state, not only wears down our soul but separates us from God. We can never find peace without reconciliation with our Creator and Heavenly Father

Paul says “Be careful for nothing or don’t be anxious , but in every situation pray to God” instead of trying to solve all your problems, give it up to God. There’s another famous saying “Let Go and Let God”. However most of us don’t want to give up control to God, so instead of reaching out to the only one who can save us, we continue to struggle and sink in our own conflicts.

The Peace of God surpasses all understanding! The world can never understand the Peace of God because the world doesn’t know God. The world rejects Christ therefore lives in conflict. However there is peace in the valley for those who put their faith and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Peace like a river will flow over you by the Holy Spirit, because God is in complete control

What are you dwelling on in your mind? Do you dwell on negativity and failures? The Apostle Paul says “whatever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, and virtue, dwell on these things. Let Christ Jesus guard your heart and mind, this is the peace of God.

When Jesus Christ is truly your Lord, when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the Peace of God will reign in your hearts, Amen!

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:1-4

It’s easy to be discouraged on a daily basis, all you have to do is look around at our fallen world and see the evil that goes on a daily basis. We all have our own personal problems and struggles, we all have family and friends who are battling as well, so how do we keep the right mindset? As the Apostle Paul says here “Rejoice in The Lord always, and again I say Rejoice”

We need to remind ourselves that we are children of God, that we are already victorious and promised eternal life, because Jesus has already overcome the world. So instead of focusing on our temporary problems, rejoice in The Lord. Instead of dwelling on everything that is wrong, rejoice in The Lord. Instead of worrying about our current circumstances, rejoice in The Lord

Why? Because Jesus Christ is Risen, the tomb is still empty, God is still on the throne. All power and authority has been handed over to Jesus Christ, and the Great Shepherd hears his sheep and never loses any of them. We you focus on these truths and promises, all our temporary problems start to fade away

As Paul said here to his Church “Stand fast or firm in The Lord” Nobody ever said this was going to be an easy life,  God never promised you health, wealth, and happiness, but Christ is our promise, Christ is our victory, Christ is our living hope that will strengthen your soul. Regardless of what happens to us, It is already finished, we are alive with Christ and dead to our sins

Notice Paul called his fellow Christians, labourers. Everyone was serving The Lord, nobody was sitting idle waiting for the Rapture. The body of Christ was busy fulfilling the Great Commision. Its hard to feel sorry for yourself, when your busy serving The Lord. Rejoice in The Lord, rejoice always in Jesus name Amen!

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:17:21

As humans , its our natural desire to want to belong to something. To belong to a group, or belong to an organization, somewhere you can identify with. We all want to be recognized as somebody, having a specific group of beliefs and characters. However the failure many people make is they try to find their identity in this world. They try to find their identity through money or fame. The problem is , the source is already corrupted there for you will be corrupted.

We see nowadays, people like to identify with a political party. They find an outspoken leader who identifies with some of their same core values. They find a group of people who agree with many of their ideas. The problem is , they are trying to identify with mortal , sinful humans. Therefore they inherit the baggage that comes with this group.

Are we starting to see a trend here? People were designed to identify and follow a group because we are all designed to worship God. People are searching to fill that void in them that only Jesus Christ can fulfill. This is why we see a culture that is so desperately trying to establish a new identity and purpose. Because without God as center of your life, you have no ultimate purpose

As Paul says “They are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, who glory is in their shame, whose mind is earthly things” Doesn’t this sound like our world today. The world hates the real Jesus Christ, because he brings truth and light into the darkness. The final destination for everyone who rejects Christ, is eternal damnation. The world lives and feeds off its physical desires. Nobody cares anymore about morality, it’s all about how we feel. The world finds glory in their sin, they are not ashamed of their sin and they celebrate it. Their minds are fully consumed with the lust of their flesh

Our true identity is in Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, and our God. Through Christ we are citizens or our conversation is in Heaven. We belong to our Heavenly Father as children of God. We are all brothers and sisters through Christ. We are the body of Christ, the Church, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You have a true eternal purpose and identity through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!