[Phl 4:19-23 KJV] 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
God knows what we need better than we do. We sometimes confuse wants and needs but He does not. Everything belongs to Him and He is wiser than any of us, so why don't we leave our needs in His hands.
20 Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
He is praiseworthy. In whatever we do, think or say, may we bring Him glory.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
Let's love our fellow saints, whatever faults they may have. He works on molding and shaping them just as He does with us.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
Your circumstances may be less than ideal but it doesn't mean you can't introduce others to the Savior.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.
Grace is one of the best gifts ever!
[Phl 4:9-13 KJV] 9 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.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Sometimes we don't have the opportunity to help so much as we desire to. But we can always offer prayers on behalf of someone.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.
When you believe that God is Sovereign and understand everything that touches your life is filtered through Him to reach you, you tend to accept what comes your way. There is a peace in this attitude.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
All lives experience both abundance and need. Enjoy and be blessed by the abundant times. Persevere and be grateful during the humble times.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Because in either situation, God is with you.
[Phl 4:5-8 KJV] 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.
No need to be extreme in your daily life. If He was at hand in Paul's day, He is even closer at hand now.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Nothing in your life is beneath His notice or concern. Talk to Him as you would your dearest friend...because He is.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I love the idea that He keeps my heart and mind...they couldn't be in safer hands.
8 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.
Good advice in this verse. Sometimes bad thoughts invade our minds and they occupy space until we are consumed. But setting my mind on honest, just, pure, lovely... it is the perfect cure because our Lord is all these things.
[Phl 4:1-4 KJV] 1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, [my] dearly beloved.
Paul loves the people he's writing to and is encouraging them to remain faithful.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Sometimes there are issues between believers but they should focus on bringing glory to God instead of petty disagreements.
3 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.
Believers should help each other with the Lord's work.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.
and be filled with His joy at all times.
[Phl 2:25-30 KJV] 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
A man who ministered to the apostle Paul. Here is an article about him.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Notice that he was worried about the Philippians who might take the news he was sick and be distressed over it. I've got a ways to go in this...when I'm sick, I want everyone to worry about me. Now I don't have an excuse but an example to live up to.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
God spared Epaphroditus and Paul. We need to notice those in our lives who matter to us and have been placed in our lives to bless us by God...they are gifts.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
People like Epaphroditus are gifts to many and we have to share them with others. My husband is such a man to many...lots of us depend on him and his ministry of serving.
29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Again, value these ministering saints if you are so blessed.
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Because they serve selflessly, putting others before themselves and to make up for the rest of us who don't necessarily do the same.
