A Closer Look at Philippians 4:4-9 and What It Can Teach Us About Joy
Some challenges we face as moms:
1. Finances - making ends meet
2. Time - how to juggle all the responsibilities of parenting, providing and home keeping
3. Patience
4. Anger management
What other challenges come to your mind?__________________________________________________________
The Bible teaches us how to respond to difficult situations. In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul says, while he was in prison:
“ I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
”
What is the secret Paul learned? What is it that enabled him to be content in every situation? Paul tells us the secret in the verses preceding this passage. Let’s take a look at Philippians 4:4-9
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NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
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.
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.
The Message
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them.
Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Don't fret or worry.
Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by 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 me, what you heard and saw and realized.
Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Webster’s defines rejoice as “to be joyful”. In the Amplified Bible, this verse reads “ Rejoice in the Lord always - delight, gladden yourselves in Him . . .
”.
When are we to rejoice?
 When we’re happy
 When the kids are grumpy
 When we’re at church
 When everything is going our way
 When the car breaks down
 When we we’re sad
 When the kids are asleep
 When we’re at work or school or home
 When nothing is going our way
 When there’s enough money at month’s end to order pizza
Why do you think the Lord asks us to always rejoice in Him? Where is our focus when we’re praising God?
Praising God turns our focus from our circumstances, which can seem impossible, to our God with whom all things are possible. If our focus (thoughts) is on God, where is it not?
What does rejoicing in the Lord look like when we really don’t feel like rejoicing? Can we be honest with God about how we feel?
Sample prayer:
I love You Lord. I know that you are Almighty God. You are the God of all creation and yet you’re concerned with every detail of my life. Thank You for being my Father. Father, I confess that I’m frustrated and rejoicing isn’t what I feel like doing. The kids are sick and my boss was unhappy with me when I couldn’t come in and I don’t get paid for today and it’s already a tight month. But Your Word says to “rejoice in the Lord always”, so because I love You, I choose to obey You rather than my feelings. Thank You for this day. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for my kids. Thank You for my job. Thank you that the kids just have a virus and not something incurable. Thank You for tylenol. Thank You that the kids are sleeping right now. Thank You that while I have an unexpected day at home I can catch up the house work. Thank You that You are my Provider. Thank You that You’ve never let us go hungry.
Thank You that You’re always with me and I’m never alone. Thank You for the way the sun is shining through the window. Thank You for the birds singing. Thank You that You are sovereign and that everything is under Your control. Thank You that You promise to work for good all things to those that love You and are called according to
Your purpose. Thank You that Your plans for me and my children are for good. Thank You that You have purpose for my life. Thank You that of all the women in the world, You chose me, me Lord, to be the mom for my kids. Thank
You for teaching me in Your Word how to train up my children. Thank You that with Your help, I can be a good role model and example for my children. Thank You for helping me to be the great mom You created me to be.
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Nelson Study Bible describes gentleness as “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.”
Regardless of the situation the Bible says we are to respond in gentleness.
How do you feel when someone yells at you?
How do you feel when someone puts you down?
________________________________
________________________________
How do you feel when someone ignores you?
How do you feel when someone accuses you?
________________________________
________________________________
How do you feel when someone is rude or sarcastic with you? _______________________________
How do these actions make you want to respond? ________________________________
What are the emotions (feelings) this kind of treatment causes you to experience?
 anger  regret for actions  resentment  desire to change
 dislike  worthlessness  revenge
 fear  obedience  secrecy


respect
defensiveness



trust
thankfulness
hurt
When you treat the person in the manner they’ve treated you, what happens? _________________________
How do you feel after losing your temper? _____________________________________________________
How do you feel when you’ve been impatient or angry with your children? ____________________________
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In Matthew 11:2830 Jesus tells us “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light .”
How does Jesus describe Himself in this passage? ______________________________________
What does Jesus say will happen when we come to Him? ______________________________________
What do you think the word “rest” means in this passage? ______________________________________
Webster’s defines rest as:
“1. Cessation of motion or action of any kind, and applicable to any body or being; as rest from labor; rest from mental exertion; rest of body or mind . A body is at rest, when it ceases to move; the mind is at rest, when it ceases to be disturbed or agitated ; the sea is never at rest.”
Proverbs 15:1 in the NIV says “ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
”
Th e Message states it “ A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-
What kind of response does a gentle answer generate? fire.“
______________________________________
What happens when we answer harshly? _______________________________________
When we correct our children what kind of response do we want from them?  obedience  anger
How do we need to speak to them to generate the response we want? _____________________________
For whose benefit do you think the Lord tells us to be gentle?
The Lord is near.
_____________________________
The Bible tells us over and over that God is with us.
Psalms 46:11 “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Isaiah 8:10 “Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us and will never forsake us”
Psalm 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because
God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."”
2 Chronicles 32:8 says “.
. . but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles . .
.”.
Jesus name, Immanuel, means God with us (Matthew 1:23). As believers, we are never alone. When we pray and ask Jesus to become Lord of our life, He sends the Holy Spirit to come and live in our heart.
How is the Lord near? John 14:26 says “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
How does the Holy Spirit help us? O ne way is by reminding us of God’s Word. God’s Word is alive and active,
it brings hope, it teaches, it guides, it encourages. Another way by interceding for us in prayer.
Do not be anxious (worry) about anything,
Has worrying every changed a circumstance in your life?  yes  no
How does anxiety or worry affect your body?
How does it affect your attitude?
How does it affect your responses to your children?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
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There’s no problem or situation too large or too small that it doesn’t concern God. If it worries us, He cares.
1 Peter 5:7 says “ Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
”
And Proverbs 12:5 tells us “ An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up .”
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus tells us “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
BUT in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Verses 6 & 7 in The Message say “ Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming toget her for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life .”
Matthew 7:7-11 " Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Our Father knows our needs and wants to meet them. He desires a relationship with us and wants to be known by us, He wants us to seek Him. He promises that those who seek will find, those who ask will receive.
Quoting from The Bible Reader’s Companion by Lawrence O. Richards, “We can commit all our concerns to the Lord. We will still care deeply about those things we pray for. But because we know God hears and cares too, we can care without being anxious . . . Because our prayers have been answered even as we pray, thanks are appropriate. This is the inner peace or sustaining confidence that God gives us when we pray with thanksgiving.
Tha t last phrase, “with thanksgiving,” is important. Thanksgiving is an expression of assurance, and a reminder, that God has heard and will answer our prayer.”
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
What does peace mean to you? _______________________________________________________
Webster’s defines peace: “In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind. . . Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience.
”
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us “ Above all else, guard your heart . . .”. Why do our hearts need to be guarded?
What is the natural state of our heart? Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that “ The heart is deceitful above all things . .
.” .
Why do our minds need to be guarded? Satan loves to deceive us into believing lies. He wants us to believe the l ie that uncomfortable or unpleasant circumstances are intolerable. Our minds are Satan’s battlefield. If he can fill our minds with lies, there’s no room for truth.
Our feelings and emotions are determined by our thoughts. In the book Telling Yourself the Truth , authors
William Backus and Marie Chapian state “Our feelings are caused by what we tell ourselves about our circumstances, whether in words or in attitudes.” In their book the authors teach readers how to examine their thoughts to determine if what they believe is true and to recognize lies and replace them with truth.
Can we have peace if we’re believing lies? What kind of lies do we believe? Some examples are: things other people have said to us or about us that we b egin to believe (you’re clumsy) untrue things we’ve said to ourselves (I can’t do anything right or people don’t like me) expectation from our society or media (I have to have a new car to be happy) being uncomfortable is unbearable (not true, it may be unpleasant or even painful, but it is bearable)
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us “ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
”
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How can we do that? How can we take our thoughts captive? It starts with recognizing which thoughts are true and which are based on emotions and may not be true.
SCOPE Ministries, in their Bible study Be Transformed, teaches us a tool called REED to help us. First they teach us three things about our emotions (emotions are messengers, they are messy, but they are manageable), then they show us how to examine our thoughts and emotions to recognize any lies we may be telling ourselves.
MESSENGERS: Emotions are messengers of internal beliefs about God, self and others. Emotions remind us of our need to relate to God and see life from His perspective.
MESSY: Emotions are messy when they seem more true than God’s word. Emotions are messy when they become the final authority in our life, controlling our beliefs and behavior. (When we act on our emotions/feelings)
MANAGEABLE: For our emotions to be manageable we must relate to God and allow Him to renew our minds with Truth.
In other words, we may not be able to underst and our emotions and beliefs on our own. But with God’s help we can learn to identify them and replace any lies that we believe with truth.
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Recognize
What emotions am
I feeling?
Anxiety
Anger
Resentment and jealousy
Express
Your emotions to God
Lord, I’m feeling really anxious. I don’t know how I’m going to pay the bills this month.
Evaluate
What does God’s Word say?
Philip. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Proverbs 4:11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Lord, I’m really mad at my X. He promised the kids he’d take them to the zoo today and he didn’t show up or even call.
They’re hurt. They don’t understand. I’m the one left to pick up the pieces - again.
Philip. 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Decide
How am I going to respond?
I can choose to worry or I can choose to pray, I’ll pray.
“Lord, I confess that I am anxious about how to make ends meet this month. Your
Word says that You are my Provider, that
You give wisdom to all who ask. Please show me if there’s something I need to do differently to stretch things further. I trust
You to show me the way and to provide for me and my children. Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You that You are faithful.”
I can choose to tell the kids what a rotten dad they have, or I can choose to tell them how sorry I am that they are disappointed and tell them what a wonderful heavenly
Father they have.
I can choose to encourage them to be resentful or forgive. I can choose to set the example.
I can choose to make excuses for their dad, or I can choose to pray with them and help them express their emotions and feelings to
God and choose to respond in a way that pleases God.
I can choose to think on what I don’t have and things I don ’t get to do or I can choose to think on the multitude of blessings my
Father has bestowed on me and thank Him for them.
I can choose to compare myself with others and feel rotten when I come up short, or I can choose to put into action what the Lord has taught me through Philippians 4:4-9 and experience His peace. I can be joyful!
Revenge
Lord, I’m so resentful of my X and jealous of my friends. It’s just not fair. My child’s dad has the good life while
I’m burning the candle at both ends and doing without. Even my friends who are single moms get a break now & then.
Why not me?
Philippians 4:4-9
Psalm 16:5-9 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
Lord, my co-worker is telling lies about me again. This is so unfair. Defending myself just makes me look guilty. I know things about her that are true that could ruin her reputation and probably cause her to lose her job. I want so much to get back at her.
Psalm 119:150-156 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true.
Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to your laws.
1 Samuel 24:12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
I can choose to take revenge or I can choose to trust in my God who is my defender.
I can choose to allow bitterness to grow in my heart, or I can choose to follow Jesus’ example and turn the other check by forgiving.
I can choose to dwell on the lies spoken about me, or I can choose to meditate on the truth of God’s Word, remembering how much He loves me. His Word says that He delights in me. His Word says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. His Word says that His thoughts toward me out number the grains of sand. He is my friend and my defender.
I can choose to ignore my co-worker, or I can choose to show her love and let her see Jesus in me.
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We have to start with recognizing our thoughts and the emotions behind them. When you are not feeling gentle, stop and REED:
1. R ecognize your emotions. What emotions am I feeling right now? (anger, frustration, anxiety, jealousy, fear, resentment . . .). Ask God to help you recognize them.
2. E xpress your emotions (feelings) to God. He already knows them.
3. E valuate your emotions in light of God’s Word.
Are my emotions (feelings) in charge right now? What are they reflecting about my beliefs?
4. D ecide. What is going to control you right now - your emotions or the truth?
What does REED look like?
If you’re new to Bible study you may be wondering how you can evaluate your emotions in view of God’s
Word when you don’t yet know much of God’s Word. God loves us and wants a relationship with us. His
Word is alive and active and it never returns void. When you determine to know Him, He helps you. He’ll bring to mind scriptures that you’ve read or memorized, or heard taught at church or on TV or the radio, or read in books. Many Bibles have concordances in the back that list words and the scriptures where they’re used. Www.Biblegateway.com is a websit e that you can use to search by word or phrase. It’s a great tool to help you learn what the Bible says about a particular topic.
If you’d like to read the Bible daily but don’t know where to start, the One on One with God website has a daily
Bible reading calendar you can use. http://learn.1on1withgod.org/.
My prayer for you is Ephesians 1:17 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
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.
The author, Lawrence O. Richards, notes in The Bible Reader’s Companion, the Greek word for ‘think’, in this passage, is logizomai, “which implies concentrated, focused effort.”
How do our thoughts affect us? _____________________________________________________________
What happens when we put Philippians 4:4-9 into practice?
If we are thinking of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy will there be room in our minds for thoughts that are not true, noble and right?
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.
James 1:22 says “ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Do you want to experience true peace and joy that comes only from God?
Are you in the midst of difficult or painful circumstances? Are you depressed, worried or anxious?
I’ve learned that these emotions (feelings) are a warning signal, a reminder to stop, examine my thoughts and pray.
You can put into practice the words of Paul and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul wrote these words to the believers in Philippi. Have you made the decision to be a believer in Jesus Christ and trust Him as your Lord and Savior? Apart from Jesus, the Prince of Peace, true joy, peace and contentment can not be found. John 3:16 tells us “ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in
Him shall not perish but have eternal life .” You can become a believer in Jesus and begin a personal relationship with
Him today by praying a prayer like this one: “Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and died to forgive me of my sins. I know I have sinned and I want to turn from my sin. I ask You to forgive me. I turn from my sins, and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me, I want to live for You the rest of my life. Amen”
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