Peace

Philippians 4:5b-7

The Lord is near [He is [a]coming soon].
6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([b]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [c]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [d]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

“The Lord is near”…say it again. And again. Hold on to this truth as we go about the day. He is near. The Blue Letter Bible: “the Lord is at hand,” , the phrase is a translation of the Aramaic “Maranatha,” 1Cr 16:22, a Christian watchword, and the use of the title “the Lord” is appropriate;

Watchword..what do they mean by watchword? Well, it is defined as, rallying cry of a party, club, team, etc. and a synonym is “motto”. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/watchword)

Maranatha! the Christians of Paul’s day would have be heartened, encouraged and uplifted to carry on and continue. How about you? How about me? Do we think about the fact that He is coming again? Paul’s next words are shepherding, kind and thoughtful…

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything”..

Anxiety: signifies “to be anxious about, to have a distracting care,” (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3309&t=NASB) There isn’t any give in these words, are there? Paul isn’t giving us any room to haggle here. Don’t fret. Don’t have ANY anxiety. How Paul? How can I do this when my baby has issues that no doctor can solve? How can I do this when we don’t have..? Come on, I know you think this way too. I talked to a women this past weekend, bless her heart, who is 7 weeks pregnant. Miscarriage has robbed her of her last two babies and so I know her heart is anxious..A another friend who wants to sell her house so she and her family can move to be with her husband. No offers on the table…

“…in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition…”

Pray. Pray for your needs…

Petition:primarily “a wanting, a need” (akin to A, No. 4), then, “an asking, entreaty, supplication,” in the NT is always addressed to God and always rendered “supplication” or “supplications” in the RV; in the AV “prayer,” or “prayers,” (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1162&t=NASB)

“…with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”

But don’t just pray for your needs, be thankful IN your requests.

Thanksgiving eucharistia: eu, “well,” charizomai, “to give freely” (Eng., “eucharist”), “giving of thanks, thanksgiving,” (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2169&t=NASB)

NASB does NOT have the next word, continue..but I love how the AMP helps us see. Don’t just ask one time. Don’t just pray once about these requests. Continue on, carry on. And always dovetail your requests with thankfulness. How important is thankful?

Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts, “It is impossible to give thanks and simultaneously feel fear.”

David Crowder Band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWekq9bHtKU

Now, if I can make a suggestion, get the video started and come back here to read the lyrics. Charles Wesley wrote this hymn and the original music to go along with most of Wesley’s hymns was “dirge”. Slow, quiet..can you imagine? Good heavens, start singing this and just try not to sing loud. (And you might even want to put your hands up in the air!)

“O, For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise
The glories of my God and King
The triumphs of His grace

My gracious Master and my God
Assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name

So come on and sing out
Let our anthem grow loud
There is one great love
Jesus

Jesus, the name that charms our fears
That bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears
‘Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of canceled sin
He sets the prisoners free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me

He speaks and listening to His voice
New life the dead receive
The mournful broken hearts rejoice
The humble poor believe

Glory to God and praise and love
Be ever, ever giv’n
By saints below and saints above
The church in earth and Heav’n

There are so few words
That never grow old
There are so few words
That never grow old
Jesus
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/davidcrowderband/oforathousandtonguestosing.html

May you be blessed in your study of the Word. Pray on for your families. God be praised for His love and kindness.