Philippians 4:1

Philippians 4:1 says, Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.  Paul expressed his great love for the Christians at Philippi.  This was a Godly love, in which he put their welfare above his own.  He also called on them to stand fast in their faith in Jesus Christ, and not in their faith in Paul himself.  We should also have a deep, Godly love for our fellow Christians, and want their well-being and for them to stand fast in their faith.  Verse two adds, I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.  Paul cited two women who were evidently at odds with each other and called on them to be like minded in Christ.  As long as these two women and we today as followers of Christ are guided by our faith in Christ, we should never have disagreements to come between us as we work for the advancement of God's kingdom.  Verse three continues, And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.  Paul also called on someone that he called a true yokefellow to help those women and Clement who had worked to help support him in his ministry.  Paul may not have been with them physically anymore, but he was with them spiritually.  We need to always pray for the spiritual wellbeing of our fellow laborers in Christ, wherever they may be.  Verse four declares, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Paul called on the Christians at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord, not just some of the time, but always.  We need to likewise always rejoice in the Lord, no matter what is going on in our life.  Verse five adds, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Paul called on them to live lives of moderation, which would be known by all those around them.  Paul called on them to do this because he said that the Lord was at hand.  We should live lives of moderation that reflect the values of Jesus Christ, because He is always at hand spiritually.  Verse six continues, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  Paul called on them to not be guided by worries about material things, but with prayer and supplication to give thanksgiving to God and make their requests for what they needed known to Him.  We should not be guided by material desires but should put our faith in God to meet our needs, but not to satisfy our wants.  Verse seven concludes, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Paul said that when they, and we, put our faith in Christ in all things and at all times that He will give us a peace that passes all understanding.  The lost people of the world will never understand how we as followers of Christ can be at peace in the world today, and we may not fully understand it ourselves, but if we put our faith in Christ, we should be at peace no matter what is going on.  Verse eight declares, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Paul then called on the Christians at Philippi to think on the things of God.  We can look around us and see all the evil that is going on in the world today, but we are not to let our thoughts be filled with these things but are to let our thoughts be filled with the things of God.  Verse nine adds, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  Paul called on them to do the things that they had learned from him, both by his words and actions.  He then said that if they did that the God of peace would be with them.  This did not mean that they were to look to Paul for salvation, but that they could look to him for an example of how to live life after receiving salvation through Jesus Christ.  Verse ten states, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.  Paul said that he gave thanks to the Lord for the help that they were now able to offer him.  We should always give thanks to God anytime someone helps us in our spiritual walk in the world.