I woke this morning about 4:30 with such a very heavy heart. I was troubled, not at ease and just couldn’t put my finger on what was going on inside me. It definitely wasn’t due to Covid-19. My mind was darting from one troubling thought to another. They were glimpses of some of your faces, tidbits of scenarios, parts of conversations, pieces of texts, and the knowledge of some of the hardships facing so many people.
So, I did like always, got up and made coffee and began to sit in the dark and inquire of the Lord. I tried so hard to “still” all these troubling thoughts coming at me like little lightening bolts; just quick, darting thoughts. It was nearly impossible. So I just stopped and began praying in the Spirit and rebuking demonic harassment away from me. I asked the Lord to forgive me and cleanse me, to wash me in the Blood of Jesus. Then I just simply asked God to show me what was going on, to help me discern what was at the back of my troubled soul. I asked for an abundance of wisdom so that I would know what to do about what I was about to discover, because I had every confidence that God was going to reveal to me the answer.
Immediately Philippians 4 came to me mind and spirit. I could practically quote that chapter, but was prompted to actually find it and read aloud. So I did but used the EVS translation. The following is what the Holy Spirit spoke to me, I pray it ministers to you!
Philippians 4:1-13 EVS
Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored[c] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Notice verse one. “….my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, by beloved”. Ive been hearing for three weeks how badly people are missing each other. How much they long to be with those they love and serve the Lord with. How much does this verse describe the “church”. We truly are each other’s joy and crown, are we not? But Paul says, “stand firm in the Lord”. Even though Paul and the people of the church at Philipi (the only church that supported him in the beginning of his ministry), who he was VERY close to, could not be together because he was in a Roman prison, was encouraging them to stand firm, stay strong. Don’t you think we are somewhat in a similar place…a prison? I, personally am not suffering as some say they are. I have so much to do, that I am staying very busy. But, when you can’t connect to those you love and can’t go anywhere for concern for your health, I would say it mimics a type of prison.
So, I say to you, my special brothers and sisters in Christ, those that encourage me, love me and show to me the Love of Christ….stand firm!! Stay strong in the Lord!!
Go to vs. 4. Paul is encouraging them to REJOICE! He repeated, Rejoice! And in vs. 6 “don’t be anxious about anything, but pray with a thankful heart and tell it to God”. vs. 7 Paul is saying, “if you will stand firm, strong in the Lord, refuse to worry, be thankful when you make your requests known to God, that peace will be in such abundance that it will blow your mind”! This peace will actually GUARD your heart and mind, but only because you know Jesus!
I want to jump to vs. 8-9 and focus on this for just a bit. Read those verses right now. Paul is describing what we should be focusing our attention on, what we should be thinking about. Because we know that what we think about, we talk about and what we speak is generally followed by some type of action. If we are thinking fearful, worrisome thoughts, we speak similarly. We don’t want our actions based on fear. That is the realm that satan works; it contaminates our faith. So look at what we are to think about, meditate on and often…things that are true. What’s true? God’s Word. Your circumstances are a fact. But the truth of God’s Word can change that fact!!! Think about what is honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable or good report. Just think about what your attitude would be if these were the only kinds of things you thought about, talked about and based your actions and decisions on. If it is excellent and worthy of praise, then by all means think about those things!! But look at vs. 9. If you have learned something from Jesus, if you’ve learned something from the Word of God and have seen and heard what to do pertaining to this Word, then practice it. Paul promises if we do, the God of PEACE will be with us.
I want to quickly give you some scripture that came to me regarding what to practice:
John 5:19-20…Do what the Father does, speak what He speaks.
John 6:63…Like Jesus, our words need to bring life. Prov. 18 says death and life are in the tongue. We can choose to always speak life. We need to be sharing “life filled” words with all we communicate with. It will encourage us as we encourage them.
John 7:37-38 Jesus said because we are connected to Him we will have RIVERS of living water. If we will use this “gift of time” early in the morning and connect to the Holy Spirit, He will fill us with utterances and wisdom for all we connect with. We will then be able to allow those rivers of living water flow from us and minister to ourselves, family and friends as well as co-workers.
John 8:12, 29. We are to be LIGHT. When we share the GOOD NEWS we shine light in darkness. We bring hope to those that are fearful and worried. We become the comfort that we need for ourselves and others. vs. 29. We should be doing the things that please God. In one WORD…Love. Love others as yourself and you will ALWAYS please God.
VS. 31-32. Abide in Jesus. Abide in His Word. Run to the Word, ingest the Word, meditate on the Word, Speak the Word and act on the Word and Jesus promises that we will know truth and that truth will set us free!
John 14:12-14. We will do the same works as JESUS. What did He do? He went about doing good, healing the sick, comforting the hurting, sharing GOOD news. He never spoke the problem. He always spoke the answer! He said we would ask anything in His Name and he would do it. Do you have something you need right now? Ask him for the manifestation of that in your life!! Find scripture that shows it’s His Will and stand on that for your answer. I guarantee anything that is of the curse…God has already provided an answer for that! He wants you to live in blessings, above the curse!
John 15:1-11. Abide in Him and produce Fruit. Go to Galatians 5 and see all the fruit we are suppose to be producing. What a time we have right now to be practicing “Good Fruit” producing skills!! I’ll name a few: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Can you imagine how mature spiritually we could be on the other side of this mess if we were practicing these fruits? Just think of the ministry opportunities we have had and have not been able to fully minister the truth of God’s Word, because we were immature and didn’t know the Word or how to apply the Word. Well, we have a an opportunity right now to develop this fruit. We have TIME!!! We could emerge from this time period of quarantine as spiritual giants, able to use the God kind of faith to move mountains not only in our lives, but others as well.
John 17:15-23. We are sanctified in the Word of Truth so that others will be able to hear and receive the same truth that has set us free. You know there are lots of people that find it difficult to speak to people face to face about the Lord and share their testimony. Wow….what a gift you’ve been given if that is your case. Use this time to get on social media, email, text, etc. Share with those that are struggling what the Lord has done for you in the past. Share the deliverance he has brought your marriages, your families, your body and mind. I know first hand, that when I’ve started enumerating all that that God has done for me, I am instantly encouraged, my faith grows, my body is energized and my hope is renewed. I encourage you to seek out those that need to hear your testimony. You have one…and it’s a great testimony!!!
John 20:21-23. Jesus sent his disciples out to be witnesses of His goodness and mercy. We too are his disciples and are commissioned with the exact same thing. Jesus breathed on them and instantly they received the Holy Spirit. He told them to wait until they had been endued with power and then begin their ministry. God has a ministry for you. He has a plan for your life that includes that ministry. He has a calling on each of you and that calling doesn’t stop just because you aren’t able to perform you normal routines. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to continue to use your gifts and callings. This didn’t take God by surprise! He already had a plan for you in place before this ever happened. Seek Him for that plan. You WOULDN’T BELIEVE what the Lord has shared with me for me to do during this time! It is so incredible and radical that I can’t get the grin off my face! I hope to share it with you all at some point.
Last Scriptures have to do with the peace that Jesus gives. Look these up and make them apart of your daily confessions!! It WILL bring you peace. John 14:27; 16:33; 20:21-23.
I have to say, if it were not for those that are losing money and risking health due to this situation, I can tell you I have never had such optimism for my future and the future of my family! I am so HOPEFUL, PEACEFUL and STIRRED!!! I pray for each of you and whatever you are facing, I encourage you to do as Paul instructed in Philippians 4…REJOICE…again I say REJOICE!
I am attaching also a list of scriptures that you might find useful to use as the basis for your prayers. Scriptures to stand on in faith for whatever concerns you at this time!!
Much LOVE to all of you! I miss you, love you and pray for you EVERY SINGLE DAY!! Stand strong! Stand Firm! Rejoice1!
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