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Lynda Hickman
Supporter
Philippians 4:4-9, "Rejoice in the LORD always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The LORD is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD; & the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart & minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue & if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned & received & heard & saw in me, these do, & the peace of GOD will be with you." As Paul is directing his admonitions to the believers in Philippi, so too we are counseled in the same way. Rejoice in the LORD always. In all things, our thoughts must be of GOD, of His delightfulness, of His grace & His love. No matter what circumstances we are in, no matter how much sorrow or heaviness of heart tries to overwhelm us, it is not only our privilege, it is our duty to keep our hearts & minds stayed on Him, rejoicing in Him always. Rejoicing in Him comforts our souls. And if we, as born-again believers in Christ can't have a life filled with the joy of the LORD, no one can! Gentleness & good temper towards our brothers in Christ. When we are truly rejoicing in Him, the sweetness of His favor is like the nectar that draws the bees to the flowers. When we keep our hearts & minds stayed on Him, rejoicing in the favor that He has bestowed on us, we are an attraction to those who need Him the most. For the LORD surely is at hand & we should have an expectation of His arrival that surpasses anything else. That fact alone should be our greatest joy! I have a friend who has withdrawn nearly all of his money from the bank because he believes a bank failure is on the horizon. He told me that I should do the same. During the depression, several banks were devastated when there was a run on their holdings. People, reacting in fear, withdrew all of their money. Sadly, the truth is, the money they withdrew was nearly worthless. Not because of the bank, but because of the entire economy. Are we facing that today? I don't know, but I do know that my LORD tells me to be "anxious for NOTHING" & if I keep my heart & mind stayed on Him, "by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving", His peace through Christ Jesus will guard my heart & mind. Is the world heading for a far greater "depression" than that of 1932, I don't know that either. But I do know that His Word promises me, promises all of us, that as the faithful believers in Christ Jesus, beyond all understanding, our hearts & minds will be protected. And when the fears that are being promoted by so many try to assail our mind, Paul said to meditate on the things that are true, noble, just, PURE & LOVELY. Things that are of "good report", virtuous & praiseworthy, these are the things that should occupy our minds! Paul said that the things that we have learned, received & heard, that is the Word of GOD, if we meditate on those things, rejoicing in Him, GOD's peace will be with us. 2 Corinthians 4:6 comes to my mind & it is in it's "brilliance" that His Word shines forth: "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." What cause do we need beyond the "knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of Jesus Christ" to keep us rejoicing always!
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
This verse is a continuation of the book of Philippians. Paul is writing to encourage the Philippians. What the verse means to me is that he knows because he knows them that they are saved and followers of Christ. For this reason, any trials or tribulations should not matter. They have proven their belief by good deeds and generosity. Jesus will reward them for their belief and this is reason to celebrate. My paraphrase of the verse would be: "Be Happy! Dare I to say it again, Be Happy! Celebrate knowing Jesus and let the world see Jesus in you and the gentle spirit he has instilled in you. He is coming soon. Look forward to the day!
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
My opinion is that we must never be stressed out about anything (Philippians 4:4-6a). The way we do that is pray. We must rejoice when we are persecuted because Jesus commanded His followers in Matthew 5:12, "Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way." And we are commanded by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16, "Always rejoice."
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
What does it mean in Phil 4:4 to 'rejoice in the Lord always' In Philippians 4:4, "rejoice in the Lord always" means deliberately and continuously choosing to find joy in one's relationship with Christ, regardless of external circumstances. It is an attitude of spiritual contentment anchored in God's faithfulness, not in temporary situations, and it serves as a command to find peace and strength in His presence, even in times of suffering or sorrow. Some Core Meanings of the Verse A Deliberate Choice, Not Just a Feeling: Biblical rejoicing is often described as a commanded joy or a deliberate choice of the heart, rather than a fleeting emotion like happiness. It is an intentional practice of focusing on God's unchanging character and promises. Rooted "In the Lord": The critical phrase "in the Lord" anchors this joy in the person of Jesus Christ. This means rejoicing in His faithfulness, love, finished work on the cross, and the eternal hope He provides. "Always" Regardless of Circumstances: The word "always" emphasises that this joy should be constant, even during trials, sadness, or suffering. Apostle Paul himself wrote these words while imprisoned in Rome, potentially facing the death penalty, proving that this joy can exist in the darkest situations. Greek Context: The Greek word for rejoice is chairete (from chairó), which is related to charis (meaning grace). Some interpretations suggest it carries the sense of being "favourably disposed to God's grace" or experiencing "well-being" through that grace. Phil 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice." ESV This shows that while joy is within the reach of all of us, it is also possible not to have it. The anxieties of this old system could prove an obstacle. In addition, the Bible tells us to cultivate joy, one of the fruits of God's Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) If you continually take in knowledge of the truth and remind yourself of the spiritual riches it has brought and still brings, your joy will not diminish. According to the Moffatt translation: "To rejoice in the Eternal is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Joy provides strength and is like a stronghold into which one can withdraw for comfort and protection. Joy was instrumental in helping even the perfect man, Jesus, to endure. Hebrews 12:2 This verse is a call to believers to find joy in their relationship with God at all times. The Apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Philippians, emphasises the importance of rejoicing in the Lord's goodness, regardless of circumstances. Paul seems especially focused on the idea that rejoicing is to take place at all times. We often forget that Paul wrote these words while a prisoner in Rome. He had been wrongfully arrested for some time, shipwrecked on the way there, bitten by a snake, and left under house arrest for two years (Acts 27:39–28:16). He had every reason to complain, yet focused on rejoicing. Both his teaching and example provide an amazing model. Every believer should seek to rejoice in the Lord, even in difficult situations, as Paul did. Paul's advice is to focus on our ability to rejoice in our fellowship with Christ. The result of that emphasis ought to be an attitude of ''reasonableness,'' seen by all people. With a proper focus on positive things, we can experience peace through the power of God.
Leslie Coutinho
Supporter
Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, "Rejoice." God the Father, who had a delight in our forefathers, to love them, He chose their seed after them, “even you above all people, as it is this day.” One then being led in the right spirit, as our forefathers, therefore, “Circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.” (Deut 10:15-16) Today, one being led in the right spirit, as our forefathers having gentleness, shall then be known to all men, for the Lord is at thy hand, “to return and come unto you.” Therefore, be anxious for nothing, but everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, and let your request be made known unto God the Father. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, “shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7) For the Love of Christ, our Lord Jesus, one who then keeps, “His Words, God the Father shall then Love You,” and “He shall come and abode in you.” (John 14:23) Today, as it is said, “Today if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing and dividing the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. For He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:7,12) One who is then led in humbleness needs to work out their own salvation, with fear and trembling. God, the Father, will then lead you through the Holy Ghost to do of His good pleasure. The Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father sends in the name of our Lord Jesus, shall then teach you all things to your remembrance, whatsoever the Lord Jesus has said unto you. (John 14:26) God the Father, who then worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure, without murmurings and disputing, you shall be blameless and harmless to be the sons of God. As you stand in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, “you shall be the lights in the world. Holding forth the Word of Life,” not running or laboring in vain, for you shall then “rejoice in the day of Christ coming.” (Phil 2:13-16) Lord Jesus, after being baptized, was led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When He fasted forty days and forty nights, he was then hungered, and the tempter, the devil, came. Lord Jesus then rebuked Satan, who then went away from Him, and the Angels of the Lord then came and ministered unto Him. (Mat 4:1-11) Today, one who stands in the midst of the crooked (Phil 2:15) needs to be aware, as our High Priest, Lord Jesus, who went through, “to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities today,” who was tempted like as we are, yet without sin. We need to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, find grace in a time of need. (Heb 4:15-16) Isaiah, the prophet, was given a vision of the Lord sitting upon a throne, with the seraphim’s crying one to another, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His Glory." Isaiah then said, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of people of unclean lips." One of the ser’-a-phims came unto Isaiah with live coals in his hand and laid it upon his mouth and spoke, “Thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.” (Isa 6:1-7) Hebrews 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Philippians 3:3: For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
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