Read Philippians 4:2-9

As baby dedication approached after Mattie was born, we were asked by Grace Kids to select a verse that represented our prayer for Mattie’s life. Philippians 4:8-9 quickly came to mind. I knew my hope and prayer for Mattie’s life would be one that was fully devoted to following after and living for Christ.

I love this verse because, just like most of Paul’s letters to these small churches, Paul is reminding, encouraging and challenging these people to remember what they were taught and what they have witnessed. The goal is to live out a life that reflects that of Jesus. To ultimately live out His story.

Now, we all know that this is easier said than done, because, well, we are human; we are broken. BUT…
We have the Spirit of God living within that gives us the strength to change our perspective and walk in a way that is different than that of this world.

In verses 2 and 3, Paul is addressing a tiff that has occurred. How often does this happen to you? Especially with other brothers and sisters in Christ?

Paul reminds us that we all have the same goal. That we all are striving to live as Christ has intended. He encourages them to find companionship in one another as living out this goal is not easy. Life truly is better together.

When you read verses 4 through 7, do you get convicted too? How often do I not praise the Lord ALWAYS?! Oh, how easy it is to complain and worry and forget that God is in control and is good and therefore reminisce that He is here!
Do you know someone in your life that you can learn from in this?

I do.

My mother-in-law, Julie, is probably the biggest prayer warrior I know. She is one that I see and hear rejoicing in the Lord always. She is always the one to remind us that the Lord is near and is always going before Him in gratitude, knowing that He cares and trusting in the plan that He has. She lives out these verses and I am so grateful to have her in my life to show me, to encourage me in this with how she lives and walks. It isn’t easy, but she is a pillar the Lord has placed in many lives to assist in living out this part of who Jesus is.

Finally, here is Paul prompting us to keep our perspective on the straight and narrow in verses 8 and 9. Bringing up, again, that, where our perspective lies, so will our actions, our faith and our trust.

Have you heard the phrase, “What you put in you is what will come out?”. Well if you are constantly filling your life with the things of this world, how easy it is to forget to live out Jesus’ story. But, if you are constantly “filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned . . .”  from Paul, Jesus and so many others then we will begin to have Christ’s light and story shine through our lives, our actions, our words, our prayer.  We will begin to live out Jesus’ story.

Kelly Lawson