14 day plan

Family Peacemaking

Day 5 of 14

CSB

Philippians 4:5-9

5Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. 9Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Reflection:  I love Paul’s appeal for gentleness, but it isn’t a celebrated quality is it? It wasn’t the way of the Philippians’ world and it’s not generally the way of ours either.  Gentleness may even be considered a fault because gentle people get walked over, laughed at, and ignored.  The dictionary describes gentleness as mild, moderate, soft, delicate, and submissive.  Is this what we want to be?  Well, perhaps it is.

Charles Swindoll said this:

“In our rugged individualism we think of gentleness as weakness – being soft and spineless.  Not so.  Gentleness is having strength under control, being calm and peaceful in a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who are angry or beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity.”

The Greeks defined gentleness as ‘power under control’, and their word picture was of a horse that had to be tamed – a powerful animal whose passion and power was fully and completely under control – there’s no sense of a door mat in that.  Power doesn’t have to be bad – abuse of power, definitely – but power and passion under control and used wisely for good is something to aspire to.

Question:  When you think about the quality of gentleness, who comes to mind?  Do you admire this quality?  Do you admire this person?

Prayer:  Gracious God, please make me gentle.  May my strength be under control, may I bring a calm and peaceful presence into heated places, and may I possess such tact and gracious courtesy that it could only come from you!  Amen.

Philippians 4:1-23

1So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Practical Counsel

2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. 9Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

15And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.