Philippians 4:4-7 Joy in the Lord keeps us protected.

Joy in the Lord, in the gift of salvation, is our strength in a world that is hell bent on destroying our faith. There have been many times in my life that I have found peace only in knowing that God wants the best for me and for those that I love. 

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I strive daily to hear Him and to be His hands and feet in a world system that is decaying. We see in part what He sees in whole. I trust God’s plan. Carla

In the midst of difficulties, in the midst of all situations, Christians are to rejoice. The joy of Christians is not based on agreeable circumstances, instead it is based on their relationship to God. Christians will face trouble in this world, but they should rejoice in the trials they face because they know God is using those situations to improve their character (James 1:2–4). 

This noun for gentleness identifies a person who manifests a calmness and fairness of spirit. A person who is gentle is willing to sacrifice his or her own personal rights to show consideration to others.

The Lord’s return could occur at any moment. Paul uses that fact to motivate the Philippians to honor God with their lives. Paul exhorts the Philippians to pray about their circumstances instead of worrying over them. Be anxious for nothing, although the same word in 2:20 describes Timothy’s concern for the Philippians, here Paul uses the word to refer to worry. He prohibits the Philippians from worrying about their own problems. Instead they are to commit their problems to God in prayer, trusting that He will provide deliverance. 

Paul’s choice of a military term, will guard, implies that the mind is in a battle zone and needs to be “protected by a military guard.” Since the purpose of such a guard in a wartime situation is either to prevent a hostile invasion or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from escaping, the peace of God operates in the same way: to protect the mind from external corrupting influences and to keep the mind focused on God’s truth. The NKJV Study Bible

Sometimes our work for God requires severe actions. In these times—ones that we can’t possibly prepare for—we need to rely on the Spirit and its work to empower us. Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012).

The motif of maintaining joy in the midst of suffering is common in Paul’s writings (Colossians 1:24; 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 8:2). 

Gentleness refers to showing consideration for one another. By displaying gentleness toward all people—believers and unbelievers alike—Christians reveal the gospel’s power to transform and reconcile. 

Paul again references the Day of Christ as motivation to live in a godly manner. 

The early Christians lived with a sense of urgency because they believed the Lord’s return was imminent (Matthew 24:36–44; 2 Peter 3:1–13). Paul probably was aware of hardships facing the Philippians (Philippians 1:29). Paul wants the believers to acknowledge their dependence on God and His provision. 

The Greek word used here, eirēnē, conveys a range of meanings, including well-being, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, safety from harm, and deliverance from enemies. Paul envisions God’s peace as a soldier who protects the hearts and minds of believers from anxiety, fear, and doubt. Faithlife Study Bible

Each day on this journey, I’ve been finding time to remember Howard Thurman’s invite, “There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful.”

And my friend Charlie sent me this from the Center for Action and Contemplation. “There is a sense of God’s incarnate presence in creation that shimmers forth to reveal the holiness of all things. Notice how your senses come alive when you walk out in the world aware of its sacramental nature. What do your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin each reveal to you about how God is alive in the world around you?” Sabbath Moments

The gospel transforms our approach to our current reality and our unknown future:

Instead of contending with God, we surrender to God through faith in Christ, trusting that He works for our good (Romans 8:28).

Instead of thinking, I know best, we acknowledge that He knows best and will always provide for us in Christ (Matthew 6:25-34).

Instead of trying to predict what's coming, we allow the Author of our story to keep writing and perfecting our faith as we keep looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

We can't know every detail of "what will be" (Ecclesiastes 6:12), but we can know and proclaim what Jesus has already done for us.There are many mysteries of God that we understand only in part, but we find hope in the assurance that we "have life and have it abundantly" in Christ (John 10:10). 

He knows the future, and because we know Him, we can trust where He's going with our stories.  However, striving to know God through relationship with Jesus leads to peace that "surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). God has always desired an intimate relationship with humanity. His love remains steadfast despite our sin. He has made a way for reconciliation through Jesus' death and resurrection, and when we draw near to Him, we can truly know His heart and reflect His love to others. First5

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 Empathy is a virtue!

As long as it is within our power we are to live peacefully in the place we live. We are to warn those in the Body of Christ when their actions go against the commands of Jesus. We rejoice with those who are doing well and we comfort those who are struggling. We are to be people of compassion, patient and kind to all.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

We seek the good of others never calling evil good nor good evil. To seek revenge is using evil and calling it good. Carla

The Thessalonians had to face the fact that some of them were not living as Christians should, but were unruly. They needed to be warned about their behavior. Some were fainthearted and needed comfort. The congregation should also uphold the weak and be patient toward all, recognizing that all Christians have faults. To be most effective in promoting positive change in people’s lives, believers should respond to individuals according to each one’s particular needs. 

For a Christian to try to get revenge is a denial of basic Christian love (Romans 12:17; 1 Pet. 3:9), and it goes against Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 5:38–42; 18:21–35).  The NKJV Study Bible

Paul continues his discussion of the Lord’s return but now turns to another question that the Thessalonians had raised—the timing. Paul dismisses the need for speculation. Instead, he urges believers to be alert and self-controlled as they live in expectation of the Day of the Lord. Faithlife Study Bible 

We often think that God needs us—that we are His arms rather than His agents. When we see our work as integral to God’s kingdom, thinking that God needs us, our vision, our doctrines, or our ideas in order to further His kingdom, we might be guilty of something else entirely. These feelings are often motivated by our own feelings of inadequacy. We can sometimes be more concerned with proving ourselves than honoring God. Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). 

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  1 Corinthians 16:16

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Ephesians 4:29

No one of us is on this journey alone. And we need one another not only for care and comfort, but to pick up the pieces and find ways to create spaces in our world that does not (or will not) belittle or diminish or demean. “Sabbath Moments”

True satisfaction with external blessings starts with an internal desire to know God as a Person, not just a source of power, position, or possessions. Christ Himself is our never-fading treasure. Nothing we could enjoy on earth is better than Him. First5

1 Corinthians 13:1.2.3. The way is paved with LOVE.

Without love behind our actions we are just making noise!

1 Corinthians 13:1.2.3. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Faith, hope and love….the greatest of these? LOVE. Carla

Paul uses an intentional exaggeration to illustrate the uselessness of each spiritual gift without love. The Corinthians would readily understand the images of sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Many of them had used brass instruments and cymbals as standard elements of pagan worship in their lives before Christ. Bestow all my goods likely pertains to the spiritual gift of giving to others (Romans 12:8). The NKJV Study Bible

The reference to tongues “of angels” probably indicates the belief that one type of “gift of tongues” involved speaking in the language of angels. Paul points out that even the language of angels is meaningless without love. Alternatively, the phrase “tongues of angels” may be an expression meaning “heavenly language.” This language may refer to prayer, conversation with God, or a dialect that God sometimes uses to reveal information.

Love is a genuine and selfless concern for the well-being of others. Paul identifies it as the greatest of the three Christian virtues (verse 13). Paul chastised the wealthy believers because they did not demonstrate love to the less wealthy believers (11:17–21). 

People used cymbals to worship Dionysus, the god of wine. Paul mentions the crashing cymbal to suggest that spiritual gifts without love make the Corinthians’ worship no different from the pagans’.  Faithlife Study Bible

When Jesus reveals Himself to us—really inaugurates His reign in our lives—it may be terrifying, but we do not need to resort to our traditions to understand it. By going back to our old ways, we might lose sight of the point of God’s work altogether. Instead, we must be ready to accept what is new. We must realize that when God acts, the results will be unexpected and perhaps unexplainable. When God intercedes in our lives, when He lets us experience Him, our lives—our very view of the world—will change. Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012).

This week we remember Howard Thurman’s reminder, “There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathlessly beautiful.”

And no, it is not always easy to do.

Something about seeing only what we want to see. Or hearing only what we want to hear.

And for me, the paradigm shift is from scarcity to sufficiency.  “We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full,” Marcel Proust wrote. So, we wake up to this life, fragile and exquisitely beautiful, embracing the sacrament of the present moment.

"When old patterns are broken, new worlds emerge."  Tuli Kupferberg wrote. In other words, when I’m not preoccupied (held captive by angst), I notice, I pay attention, I see.

And in taking ownership of my life, this life, I am available. Not frightened by scarcity, I’m not enticed to ask, “what do I need today?”

Rather, I can ask, “what do others need today?” You see, I have both resources and assets to give…

Listening ear.

Empathy.

Non anxious presence -- calm demeanor. 

“Sabbath Moments”

Ecclesiastes warned against a lifestyle defined by greed. Because no matter how hard we work or how much we earn, our riches will never satisfy our deepest longings: "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income ..." (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

In Hebrew, the word for "loves" in this verse is ahab, which usually refers to personal affection for a friend or even a spouse, but here it implies a strong emotional attachment to wealth and possessions. This misplaced love is from the world, not God (1 John 2:16). In reality, there is no value in linking ourselves to meaningless materials, and greed will leave us restless as we become consumed with caring about our treasures more than people.

Striving endlessly for more wealth leaves us both spiritually and financially bankrupt.

To live a fulfilling life, on the other hand, Ecclesiastes 5:18 calls us to "eat and drink and find enjoyment" in God's provision. Today we know God's greatest gift to us is our relationship with Him through Christ, yet we also get to experience His perfect daily provision for our needs (Ephesians 2:8-9; Luke 12:22-34). 

Not only is God the Giver of good gifts, but He gives us "power to enjoy them" and delight in all He graciously provides (Ecclesiastes 5:19).

As we receive God's provision, we become "occupied with joy" rather than discontented with what we don't have (Ecclesiastes 5:20).Then if we do have earthly riches, we count them all as loss because nothing compares to the gain of knowing God Himself (Philippians 3:8-9). And even if we don't have riches, whether we possess "little or much," we can rest in the love and care of our Father (Ecclesiastes 5:12). No matter what resources we have now, we can eagerly anticipate the treasures we are storing up in heaven as we lovingly obey the Lord (Matthew 6:19-21).

What a blessing to know that God provides for our needs on earth today and that our greatest wealth awaits us in eternity. First5

Isaiah 40:3-5 In faith in Jesus it is finished!

Jesus made the crooked path lead straight to the heart of God. He is the light of the world and in Him all of the Old Testament to the Jews was fulfilled. In Him it is finished. The playing field is now level. All who believe in Him will be saved!

Isaiah 40:3-5 

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord; 

Make straight in the desert 

A highway for our God. 

4 Every valley shall be exalted 

And every mountain and hill brought low; 

The crooked places shall be made straight 

And the rough places smooth; 

5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, 

And all flesh shall see it together; 

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

We anxiously await His return, Jesus, King of kings and Lord over all. To God all glory and honor! Carla

The voice is heard in the wilderness, calling the people there to ready themselves for the coming of the Lord. The analogy is based on the anticipated coming of a magnificent ruler from a distant land. The people who lived in the area of his intended visit would do everything possible to prepare the road for his arrival. Prepare means “clear away the obstacles” (57:14; 62:10). Highway represents the hearts of people who must be spiritually prepared by repentance for God’s glory to be revealed on the earth (Luke 3:3–20). 

While the highway of verse 3 was to be prepared by the people of the Lord, the changes required in verse 4 could be accomplished only by divine action.

The glory of the Lord began to be revealed in the restoration of the captives of Judah from the Exile (44:23). More grandly, the glory of the Lord would be displayed in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (4:2; Luke 2:29–32; John 1:14). 

The ultimate revelation of the glory of the Lord will be in His glorious kingdom (60:2; Zephaniah 3:14–17), where the Savior King dwells in the presence of His people for all eternity (Revelation 22:1–5). All flesh refers to all mankind. The  mouth of the Lord has spoken: The importance of this prophecy is underscored by the language of divine oath. The NKJV Study Bible

God will lead the remnant through the wilderness from Babylon to Zion, just like the exodus from Egypt. This verse is quoted in all four Gospels in connection with John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus. A different understanding of syntax (how the phrases were related) has led to the New Testament (and Septuagint) understanding of “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” versus “in the wilderness prepare.” The Hebrew parallelism connects the phrase with “make straight in the desert.” 

The highway through the desert was also described in Isaiah 35:8–10. 40:4 Similar imagery to the trembling of the natural world that accompanies an appearance of God (or theophany). Compare 2:14, where the day of Yahweh is accompanied by the mountains and hills being brought low. Theophany in the Old Testament describes the reshaping of the wilderness to make a level highway fit for God to lead His people across. Faithlife Study Bible

In Christian churches, the symbolism of light is central. From Judaism, we learned about the perpetual light that was kept burning in the Temple and synagogues, to show the presence of God. Now, in lighting a candle for someone we extend our prayers, and with the light, show solidarity with another person. Yes, we are walking one another home.

I was asked, “But do you believe this makes a difference?” Oh my. Truthfully, I don’t know what all I believe, but I do believe that there is a grace and sacred presence that carries my doubt and uncertainty, and helps guide my way. “Sabbath Moments”

But the Teacher in Ecclesiastes explained it is better to humbly invite God's direction into our lives, not manipulate Him into giving us what we want. Remembering that the one true "God is in heaven and [we] are on earth" puts our requests into perspective (Ecclesiastes 5:2). God's wisdom is far beyond ours, and He knows how best to answer our prayers (Romans 11:33-34). When we demand that God give us our own way or try to control Him with our gifts and promises, we "are doing evil," according to Ecclesiastes 5:1.

So what's the alternative? Wisdom reminds us that prayer doesn't just give us unlimited access to air our grievances and express our desires to God; we also have the opportunity to ask God to speak to us. God desires for us to draw near and bring our needs before Him, and He desires for us to "draw near to listen" (Ecclesiastes 5:1).

In Ecclesiastes 5:7, the Teacher again emphasized high esteem for God and His wisdom, reminding us, "God is the one you must fear."This doesn't mean we approach God with terror that He will be cruel or use His power against us. That's not who He is (Exodus 34:6).But it does mean we give God proper reverence, humbly admitting that though we will not always understand His wisdom, we trust Him.

Much like a good human father holds his children, enjoying their closeness, our heavenly Father delights in His children drawing near and sharing what is on our hearts. To honor Him, we also listen to hear Him speak, desiring and inviting His direction in our lives.

It's amazing to think that because of Jesus' work on the cross, we have an all-access pass to our awesome God (Luke 11:9-13; 1 Peter 5:7). We can audaciously present our requests and go to Him with all of our needs: "By the blood of Jesus ... let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:19-22).