Day 276 Bible Readings – Philippians 4: 6-7 (ESV)

Jeremiah 6, Jeremiah 7: 1-29, Philippians 4, Psalm 147: 1-11

Philippians 4: 6-7 (ESV)

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Verses 6 and 7 from Philippians 4 is Paul’s recommendation to the Church of Philippi about how to have peace. Paul says that if you if you always are always grateful to God and pray to him, you will have peace of mind and will not be anxious about anything. I’ve found in my life when I pray to God and tell him of my requests, I experience a sense peace that comes over me and calms me down. I know this peace of mind comes from my trust in God and my memory of all the times in my life, God fulfilled my prayers. But if you have don’t have a history of God fulfilling your prayers, you can read in the Bible of all the times God fulfilled the prayers for his people. Or you can also read books filled with the testimonials of people who have seen God answer the prayers in their life. Anyone who has seen their prayers answered by God will be able to tell you the sense of peace they have in their life because of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Day 275 Bible Readings – Psalm 146: 1-2 (ESV)

Jeremiah 4: 10-31, Jeremiah 5, Philippians 3, Psalm 146

Psalm 146: 1-2 (ESV)

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

Verses 1 and 2 from Psalm 146 reminds us to praise God always in song. I love singing songs in church. I feel the presence of God increase as the congregation praises the Lord in worship. I searched on YouTube to find a song version of Psalm 146 that I really like. This psalm is short and seems like it would make for such a great song.

I hope you like song version of Psalm 146 that I found – Enjoy!

Day 274 Bible Readings – Philippians 2: 14-16 (ESV)

Jeremiah 2: 31-37, Jeremiah 3, Jeremiah 4: 1-9, Philippians 2: 12-30, Psalm 145: 14-21

Philippians 2: 14-16 (ESV)

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

In verses 14 through 16 from Philippians 2, Paul gives more practical advice to the Church at Philippi. Paul tells them to not grumble or argue when doing things. Many bible commentators believe that Paul was referencing what happened during the Exodus from Egypt when the Hebrews were complaining about their life. Charles Spurgeon gave three examples about what people of faith must not complain about: the providence of God, each other, and the ungodly world.

Spurgeon’s examples make sense to me although I know I have complained about all these things and more. I know I have complained about how God cares for me in my life because I think I know better than God. I have always complained to God and friends about other people. And I have absolutely complained to God and other people about how “ungodly” the world is now. Paul’s advice also make sense because it makes our life more peaceful if we stop complaining and arguing about everything in life.

Day 273 Bible Readings – Philippians 2: 1-4 (ESV)

Jeremiah 1, Jeremiah 2: 1-30, Philippians 1: 27-30, Philippians 2: 1-11, Psalm 145: 8-13

Philippians 2: 1-4 (ESV)

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In verses 3 and 4 from Philippians 2, Paul gives advice to the Church in Philippi on how to have unity. The first step is to never do anything because of “selfish ambition” or for your own desire or advancement. The second step is not do anything because of “conceit” or because you fell you so important that you think no one can do it better than you. The third and final step to have unity is always do everything with an attitude of humility where you act and behave like Jesus. Jesus by his actions always put the interests of others before his own desires. Jesus healed people wherever he went and treated each person with love and care. Paul then says to act not only with you own interests in mind, but to keep in mind the welfare of others.

Paul’s advice seems easy enough, but I know the hardest thing to stop is the “conceit” and “humility” part. We are taught in our modern culture to have “good self-esteem” and to take pride in everything we do. But I know that often my pride went to my head, and I started thinking I was better than everyone else because of all the work I was doing. God gave me this gift, and I needed to show it off and get recognition for it. With these kinds of thoughts in my head, I was no longer acting with humility, but with pride and ego. I was working for myself, and not for others and certainly not for God. When recognition came for my efforts, it felt empty and meaningless because my ego and my pride were never satisfied. Had I been working instead with God and others in mind, I would have felt more satisfaction and joy for just being able to contribute my gifts for the glory of God and to help others. So now I always check myself before I do anything – am I acting in selfish ambition and conceit? Or, am I acting with my own an other people’s best interests in mind?