Do Not Be Anxious

Philippians 4:6 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

gives the command to rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always!

rejoice is a lifestyle choice

rejoicing comes from a complete trust in the Lordship of Jesus

no matter what, we rejoice in the hope of eternal life not in the temporary things of this world

there is a logical extension to the next verse - having no anxiety

fully rejoicing means no anxiety

we have turn a curse - anxiety into a blessing - rejoicing

Anxious

do not be anxious about anything

anxiety is the direct opposite of faith in God

anxiety will eventually lead to fear and we know fear should not be an influence in a believer’s life

(NIV2011) 18  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

* Worry, concern, unease, apprehension, disquiet, nervousness, fear

Worry, concern, unease, apprehension, disquiet, nervousness, fear

Worry, concern, unease, apprehension, disquiet, nervousness, fear

it is beholden to us to stop this process at the very first instance

Anything

Anything

any situation, any event can bring up feelings of insecurity or past hurts

there are those that involve everyday life, what clothes to wear, what to do, decisions to be made, what car to buy

everything is important in that it gives an opportunity to be GODLY

to be godly requires us to be in God, knowing God

wonderful words of Jesus recorded in Matthew

(NIV2011) 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

do not worry about the things of life, do life

Every Situation

let us develop an attitude and a practice of taking every thing to God

by prayer and petition learn faithfulness and wisdom

as we continue then it becomes easier and easier to know God’s principles and commands for us

we make good godly decisions more and more

we discover the deeper joy of knowing Jesus

we learn not to trust in the things of the world

Prayer and Petition

there are four terms used here in our interactions with God

prayer, petition, thanksgiving and requests

prayer here from the Greek refers to the general approach to God on matters of guidance

whereas petition is the more detailed needs offered in prayer

our needs and approach to God is in an envelope of Jesus Christ

everything is in CHrist Jesus

Ephesians 3:20 NIV

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

according to his power is the key to our successful prayer life

Thanksgiving

the word eucharistia is thanksgiving - communion is a thanksgiving

the context here stems from Christ’s redemptive work on the cross

prayer linked with thanksgiving demonstrates the reality of God’s grace and mercy in every aspect of our lives

it declares that human endeavour is fraught with failure and danger, and a boasting in corrupted human work

thanksgiving flows from the joy in our hearts that Christ is Lord

might we say rejoice and again I say rejoice!

Requests to God

a request to God can be considered the act of bringing in prayer a direct and specific need to him

it has to be done within the context of God

it is surrounded by thankfulness, with rejoicing of our situation

it is focused on God and his desires as expressed in Jesus Christ

ask in my name is a command from Jesus

(NIV2011) 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

ask and you will receive - the certainty of prayer

the seal of this prayer is complete joy

next week we will consider this complete joy as expressed in the next verse 7

Philippians 4:7 NIV

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.