Verse 1-3
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Verse 1. When we meet Jesus, the reward of our labor in Christ will be the people that are in the kingdom of God with us (2 Corinthians 1:14), and in them we will have great joy!
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And one of your greatest joys today will be leading others to salvation (Luke 15:7, 3 John 1:4). Help other believers, be in unity with them over your common faith, and help unbelievers come to Christ, and this will bring you great joy!
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Verses 4-7
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Again, Paul reminds us to rejoice. Our joy should be in Christ, because Christ brings joy that nothing can take away (John 16:22). So take joy and be gentle!
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Practically, doing things in life that you enjoy, while you thank God for these things, can help stir up more joy in you. Always look for things to be happy and thankful about.
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On top of that, to encourage joy and peace in your mind, overcome anxieties, worries, and cares.
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To prevent anxiety, pray. Pray often, pray in every moment, in all kinds of situations, over every feeling or emotion. Pray a lot! And when you pray, give God thanks!
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It's that simple. Anxiety cannot stay if you make a habit of diligent prayer.
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You will have such peace that you won't need to understand situations in order to be content in them. You will trust God to take care of what you can't control, and that will be enough.
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Verses 8-9
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Verse 8. Also correct what you meditate on. Don't hinder your prayer by focusing on and/or thinking about unhelpful things.
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Look at, listen to, read, watch, and think about things that are godly, and that help you have more love, joy, and peace in your mind.
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Verse 9. Employ habits in your own life of people that you know set a good example in their life. This will also help you have peace.
Verses 10-13
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Paul was thankful to the Philippians for their generosity, but he did not expect or demand it, because he was content with or without the generosity of the church.
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Verse 11. Like Paul, you will have to learn to be content in all circumstances, and by enduring circumstances.
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There will times when you have much, and times when you have little. But when we get comfortable with a certain luxury, resource, or provision, we tend to attach contentment to those things, rather than to Christ.
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Verse 12. To prepare for times when you have little, routinely take away things that you habitually enjoy, including food, and for a set amount of time. Practice “fasting” from these things. This will help teach you to be content without them.
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Verse 13. Pray during these times (verse 6), so that you practice seeking contentment and peace in your relationship with God. Then you will have strength from Christ to endure anything!
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Verses 14-20
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It is an honorable and God-pleasing thing to give generously to believers in need. Gifts to others are a sacrifice and offering to God Himself (verse 18).
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Practice giving to believers, to a level that is sacrificial, as an act of worship to God.
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Verse 17. In receiving from others, don't desire what people can give you. Instead, desire the outcome of their own growth, and the reward in heaven for them, that will come from their generosity (Matthew 6:3-4, 19:21).
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Do not encourage generosity in others for your own sake (1 Corinthians 9:15), but for their own ability to glorify God.
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Verse 19. When we are generous to others, as part of how we seek first God's kingdom, we can trust that God will always provide our basic needs (Matthew 6:31-34)! Don't worry!
Verses 21-23
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“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.”
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Value every believer, and greet each one with care! Show believers that you value them.
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