“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” (Philippians 4:11-12).

Are you content in the Lord?  Is the desire of your heart what is pleasing to the Lord.  Do you live with the reality that everything you call yours is really nothing and that the faith You have been given is everything?  These are the better things.  Think upon them and be guided by the goodness of the Lord and His leading.  Know that in Him is all goodness and mercy and that He has called you by name.

Lead me, O Lord, so that I may be guided by You and what You are teaching me.  Teach me how to see this world as temporary and how to live as though I had nothing.  Guide me, Lord, to realize that everything in life is something that teaches me of You.  Lead me to see all the goodness which surrounds me.  Help me live into this life to which You have called me in Your grace and mercy.

Lord Jesus, in You is all hope and a future.  Guide me this day, Lord, to see what is good and what needs to be left behind.  Teach me to suffer without complaint and to give away without thought.  Through all that comes my way this day, help me to move beyond myself so that I may be guided by You and what You will teach me.  Help me learn how to be humble in all circumstances.  Amen.

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity” (Philippians 4:10).

Do you have concerns for others?  Do you care about your neighbor?  The Lord desires that we love one another; that we love our neighbor.  Your neighbor is whomever you become aware of.  This teaches us the reality that God cares for all.  Good or bad, it does not matter.  God cares.  He wants us to care.  So look around and see if you have concern for those around you.

Lord, grant that I would increase in sensitivity and not be so self-absorbed that I am unaware of those around me who are in need.  Lead me, O Lord, in order that I may follow Your example and learn how to truly love my neighbor.  Guide me in the way of truth so that I would learn to love all whom You love.  Give me opportunities to do these things knowing it is pleasing in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that I may have life and have it abundantly.  You did everything here with great purpose and that purpose continues in me.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I would now and forever grow in Your likeness and do things the way You would have me do them.  In Your goodness, teach me what I need to know for this day and then help me to put into practice what You have taught me.  Amen.

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

When a disciple of Jesus models godly behavior, copy that behavior.  When you are taught well, listen to what is being taught.  In and through all things, be guided by the Lord so that You may continue the journey of becoming like Christ.  The Lord is making a new creation in you through grace and you are to put into practice these things as a part of becoming what is new.

Lord, help me to focus upon what I need to focus upon.  Help me to model what is good and tell me so that I may know what is good.  In and through all things, help me to daily be conformed ever more closely to the image of Christ.  In You alone is there hope and being a part of the new creation You are making by grace, which is the invitation You have given me.  Help me to always fully participate in what You are doing.

Lord Jesus, You have come not only as the One who purchased our redemption through the cross, but You also have modeled the godly life.  Help me to see with new eyes the ways in which You demonstrated how to live this life You have given us.  Guide me today in Your ways so that I may live into the new life which is mine through You.  Through all these things, bring me ever more nearer to You.  Amen.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Think on these things.  Look at the list.  Throughout each day, be reminded that where we allow our minds to dwell, there we will either be fed or torn down.  There are those who take this to the extreme and promote “positive” thinking, but behind everything that has been taken to the extreme, is the truth of what God has spoken.  Dwell on the things of the Lord and be blessed.

Lord, I am often distracted throughout the day.  Guide me, Lord, that I may be led by You and the Word You have already given me.  Let me take these higher things and hold them before me constantly so that I may remember the promise You have given me and walk in that promise.  Teach me to strive for excellence and be guided by Your principles.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me this day so that I may dwell with You and think upon these things.  Through Your Spirit, renew my mind and bring to constant remembrance all the goodness and mercy which is mine through You.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may be led by You alone.  Help me to always follow Your guidance.  Amen.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Where is your mind? Upon what do you think?  How is your journey in faith going?  Do you guard what goes in and what comes out?  Are you conscientious of your surroundings and the impact you have on others?  Let your heart be that of one who is with and in the Lord.  Be guided by His heart so that you may be at peace with Him and with the people around you.  Be led by His love.

Lord, the world is anxious and not at peace.  Lead me Lord in Your way of life so that I would have at the core of me, Your peace.  Lead me according to Your spirit in order that I may now and always walk the way of true faith and not be caught up in the wrangling of this world.  Guard me, Lord, so that I may not fall prey to the wiles of the wicked one, but always be led by Your Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of Your faithful.  Kindle in us the fire of Your love.  Let that love overflow with Your peace which surpasses all understanding so that the world may know we are Your followers by Your love pouring forth out of all who believe.  If my heart is always overflowing, there is no room for the wickedness of this world.  Lead me, Lord, and I will follow.  Amen. 

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:5-6).

Become whom the Lord is making you to be.  Do not hold back the things of the Lord but let the witness of His presence be evident in you.  Be at peace with yourself and others.  Know that in the Lord you have all that is needed and therefore you should be able to give thanks.  Pray continuously and know that the Lord knows all that you need.  Rest in Him and rejoice in His purpose.

Lord, this world is worrisome and the leaven of this world makes me anxious.  You tell me to be anxious for nothing.  This world is dissatisfied.  You have made me who I am.  This world is always seeking.  You have found me.  Lead me in the peace that only You can give so that I would abide in the fulness of salvation which is mine in You.  Guide me, Lord, that I may be a blessing to others in all that You richly have given to me.

Heavenly Father, You know the plans You have for me and the Son has come in order that I may be freed to live into the life You give.  In Your will, continue to guide me in the path of salvation and grant me the encouragement I shall need along the way.  Grant that I be blessed by You so that I can be a blessing to others.  Thank You for all that You are and have done for us who deserve none of this.  Thank You Lord!  Amen.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”  (Philippians 4:4)

Joy is not happiness.  Being happy is an emotion; joy is a place of being.  In the Lord, regardless the immediate circumstances, you have hope and a future.  You therefore have joy.  Your joy cannot be taken from you.  Live then having your joy rekindled day after day.  The world would steal your hope, but the Lord reminds you that your hope is in Him and He is forever.

Lord, teach me each morning to look to You and be reminded that You have given me all hope.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may begin each day thanking You for the gifts You continuously give.  In You Lord is all hope and a future.  That future is assured because You have given Your promise and You only need to promise once.  Let me rejoice in Your grace and mercy.

Lord Jesus, grace Incarnate who gave His life that we may live, let us rejoice in the gift You have given so that we all may have abundant life.  In You Lord is hope and the only future worth living.  Lead me this day according to the Father’s purpose so that I would abide richly in You as You teach me how to rejoice in this day.  Let me learn how to always rejoice in Your goodness and mercy.  Amen.

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.  Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:2-3).

Living in this world is rough.  We are not to turn on one another, but seek to look forward and remember the admonition of the Lord to live in peace.  Seek then the righteousness of the Lord and know that in Him there is hope and an eternal future.  He will accomplish through all things that which He has purposed.  The Lord has written the names of those who are His in His Book of Life.

Lord, through the fog of this world, Your Word speaks truth with clarity.  Help me to see the truth You have spoken.  Guide me in all goodness so that I may now and always live according to Your Word.  Through You and in You is all hope.  You have given us the community, the fellowship which surrounds all witnesses.  Lead me ever more deeply into all of the gifts You have given me.

Lord Jesus, in You alone is all hope.  Help me now and forever to see that in You is the goodness and mercy I need.  Sometimes You use Your servants to be Your goodness and mercy.  Help me rejoice in the communion of saints and know that You are the One who is knitting all things together according to the Father’s will.  Lead me this day so that I may look to You with all thankfulness.  Amen.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved” (Philippians 4:1).

The world is constantly moving.  It really is moving in circles if anyone takes the time to see.  There is nothing new under the sun.  But most people do not pay attention and so, driven by sin and calling it good, the circles continue.  But you have been called by God out of the insanity of this world to join with Him for eternity.  Will you stand?  Will you stand firm?  Or will you be tossed about?

Lord, this world is crazy.  People rush about and for what?  People are doing what has been done before and failed, but they think it is a new thing.  Help me to see through these things and then to look to You for all guidance.  Teach me how to stand firm.  Teach me how to be unmoved by the wickedness of this world.  Teach me how to be like You that I would learn eternity.

Come, Holy Spirit, and minister in my heart so that the gift of grace purchased by Jesus would richly dwell in me.  Come, Holy Spirit, and open my eyes to see all truth.  Let me not be carried away by the insanity of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind in You.  Through all things that come my way, shape me into the image of Christ.  Guide me according to Your purpose now and forever.  Amen.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

By what power?  By the power that has created all things.  And what will He do?  Create in us His likeness for the promised eternity.  And what is that likeness?  A child of God.  Do you begin to see what God is up to?   Do you begin to understand that the Lord is calling You to be with Him and in Him now and forever.  This is what He has been up to since the garden of Eden and you are invited.

Lord, so many around me seem to be focused upon themselves.  They are their own god.  I too have this problem.  Release me from this bondage so that I may live into the life You have called for me to live.  Guide me in the way of salvation in order that I would reject the tired untrue way of the world to live what is eternal.  Lord, You know all that is needed.  Help me through these things to live in You.

Lord Jesus, Savior of the world, You have sent Your Spirit that all who see the light would rejoice in You and You in them.  Guide me today, Lord, so that I would walk humbly with You in the light You shine on me.  Lead me in Your power in order that I may be transformed by and in You.  Through all things, help me to see more clearly each and every day.  You are Sovereign and I am Your creation.  Amen.