Philippians 4
For the past several days there has been a couple verses from Paul's letter to the church at Philippi going through my mind. I believe what he spoke to those folks is so applicable to you and me in the circumstances we find ourselves today.
The media sources are filled with rhetoric regarding the COVID19 pandemic, some of it good some of it not so much. Then there is the ongoing turmoil of the protests taking place nationwide in regards to racism. There is so much in the news these days that seems to propagate fear, chaos, and polarization. So, how do I maintain my joy and peace in the midst of such chaos and uncertainty?
The apostle Paul writing from the city of Rome, where he was incarcerated by the Roman government awaiting his day to appear before Caesar, wrote the following words to his friends in Philippi. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
God has created us with the capacity to choose which thoughts that pass through our mind that we want to dwell on and put into action.
I can remember my grandmother telling me that you can't stop the birds from flying overhead but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.
There is a great deal going on in our world that is not good. There is a great deal going in our world that is the work of Satan and his legion of demons. However, God is still God. God is still on the throne of heaven. There is no one or nothing that is going to take him down.
What John tells us in his epistle is still true;
"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."
So I want to encourage you this morning to heed the words of Paul and think about the goodness of God: think about the greatness of God; think about the love of God; think about the faithfulness of God; think about the hope we have in Jesus . . .
in the words of Chris Tomlin ...
"how great is our God! Sing with me, how great is our God, and all will see how great, how great is our God!
Jesus loves you! and so do I !
Pastor Bob
