“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philippians 4:23).

The Lord be with you!  Do you respond in kind that the Lord would be with the other’s spirit?  In our day, greetings often fly out which have no real meaning.  “Have a good one.”  A good what?  Trivial disconnect is the game of the wicked one.  The Lord has knit together His bride, the church, and He desires that we love one another.  Do you pray for the saints?  Do you desire for their spirit to be fed as you desire your spirit fed?

Lord, You have shown me these deeper things.  You have guided me by Your grace thus far.  Take me ever deeper into the realm of Your presence so that I may learn to desire for the other what I desire for myself.  Lead me, O Lord, into the grace and mercy You have for me.  Guide me so that I may walk the path You have set before me.  Lead me by Your Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit, and reach into my depths.  Grant that I would have the same desire for others that I have for myself.  Guide me now and always on the ever-deepening path of salvation into which I have come through the cross in order to learn how to be faithful.  Guide me this day and every day that You, Holy Spirit, would guide my spirit in the good depths of faith that are laid before me.  Lead on, O King Eternal!  Amen.

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.  All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:21-22).

We who believe are a part of the communion of saints.  In all times and places, we are connected to other believers.  Marvel at the connection the Lord has made and the invitation by which we have come into this communion.  Rejoice in what the Lord is doing and know that You are a part of what the Lord is doing eternally.  You have been united with Him forever.

Lord, help me to ponder the mystery of this family into which I have been grafted through You.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may see more clearly the great gift You have given me.  Let me now and forever rejoice and be thankful for this family of the faithful.  May I see in them the connection that is You.  May I have my mind and heart opened so that I may be guided by you and so serve others in the family as I should.  Lead me Lord into this greater portion of the body which I often do not even think about.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, Lord, in this abundant life in order that I may walk knowing that I am not alone.  You have drawn together a cloud of witnesses such that their number is hard to count.  Thank You, Lord, for including me in this family You have knit together through Your body and blood.  Teach me to rejoice today and every day.  Amen.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).

Has the Lord provided for your every need?  Of course He has, but do you give thanks?  We can become wrapped up in our own thoughts and ambitions such that we do not give thanks to the One who makes all things possible.  Have an attitude of gratitude.  Be led by the Lord and no one else, not even yourself.  Know that He who formed you in your mother’s womb knows who you are and what you need.

Lord, teach me to be thankful in all circumstances.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that only in You is there hope and a future.  Let me not be carried away with my selfish  thoughts, but look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, to guide me in my thinking.  Guide me this day and every day in the truth of Your love and mercy.  Let me learn from You, and in all  circumstances to rejoice and give thanks for Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, while I did not care about these things, You were giving me all that I needed.  When I did not know what I needed, You provided.  You know me better than I know myself and You know all that is needed.  Guide me, dear Lord, so that I may walk the path You set before me and give thanks for all Your benefits.  Grant that I have a thankful heart now and forever.  Thank you, Lord. Amen.  

“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.  But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:17-18).

Be encouraged and encourage others.  The Lord is working in all places and at all times.  Know that in the Lord you have great hope.  The Lord has amply supplied your every need.  Sadly, many will not avail themselves of what is available, but the Lord provides none-the-less.  Be guided in the Lord’s provision and know that He knows what you need even before you ask.

Lord, I try to figure things out.  Not that this is all bad, but often I forget that You have already made the plans for me and they are for good.  Help me to turn to You so that I would seek You first and learn what You have in mind.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth and guide me according to Your will.  Lead me to encourage others as You have sent those who have encouraged me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all that You have done and are doing.  You have led me through the cross into the light of Your glory.  You have provided for me every step of the way.  Draw me close to You so that I may, this day, be a little more conformed to Your image and be more like You.  Through all things, teach me to live in faith, hope, and love.  Guide me as You know I need to be guided.  Amen.

“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs” (Philippians 4:15-16).

The good we do is remembered.  But we should not do it for any other reason than that it is good, right and salutary.  Look to the Lord and He will teach you what is good.  In all that you do, do it as serving the Lord, for He alone should be the One you worship.  He desires those who will worship in spirit and in truth.  Come then and leave behind the things this world uses to distract you and worship the Lord.

Lord, thank You for the opportunities You have given me to do what is right without thinking about it.  Help me now and always to look to You and do what is good in Your sight.  Lead me according to the principles You have taught me so that I may do those things which will last.  Let me be motivated simply by trust in You and the doing of good for others now and always.

Lord Jesus, You came and gave Yourself for us.  In Your example, help me serve my neighbor as You would serve them.  Lead me in the goodness and mercy You give from the cross so that I may live by Your example and do those things which are good in the Father’s sight.  Lead me Lord Jesus and teach me how to follow.  Amen.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction” (Philippians 4:13).

I can do nothing without the Lord.  When all is said and done, everything done apart from Him will mean nothing.  Everything He does is forever.  You can do all things through Him who gives you a new life by grace.  As His child, do what pleases Him.  Come into the light and walk in the eternal things and no longer scheme as those who do not believe, do.  Live in the life of Christ.

Lord, this is so simple to say.  I see it, but how hard it is to do in daily life.  Each day has its temptations, and I am tugged and pulled to live in the way of the world.  Help me learn how to be strengthened in You and live into the life You give, knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Guide me in the way of life that looks to You for all things knowing that only this new life You give really matters.

Lord Jesus, You came so that we would have abundant and everlasting life.  Let me learn how to follow You such that I do not turn back to the fleeting ways of this world.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see through the temptations of this world.  Help me live in the goodness You give now and forever.  You are the way, truth, and life.  Help me do all things through You.  Amen.

“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.