Paul's Praise from Prison

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I always read Philippians will a touch of amazement.  How Paul could be so positive and excited when writing from prison I will never know. 
Psalms 34:1 A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

This Thanksgiving, we can learn a lot from Philippians 4 that would keep us praising no matter what.

1. Perpetual Praise vs 4

I Thess 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
 
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
 
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always G3842 causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
 
 II. Prayerful Praise vs 6
I believe the Lord likes it when we come to Him thankful. Sure we have request—but are we grateful?
 
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Thankful and trusting praying will go a long way in our life.
 
Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, G2169 and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

 III. Peaceful Praise vs 7

Peace of God passeth understanding is hard for us to understand—duh!
 
“If I just understood better I could serve Him happier”
 
Probably not. We just think we would. If you can’t serve him not understanding, what is to say you will serve him when you do?
 
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace G1515 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
 
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
 IV. Perfected Praise vs 8
This beautiful list is praise perfected.
 
The key is our thinking.
 
This list is a great direction for our lives.
 
If you want a stable, fixed mind, the only place to get it is in the Word of God.
 
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
 
V. Patient Praise vs 11

Contentment is critical to thanksgiving.
 
Content means this: independent of external circumstances
Greek word only used here in the KJV.
 
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
 
VI. Persuaded Praise vs 19
Are you persuaded?
 
Do you really believe that God can supply everything you need?
Does our lives reflect that?
 
I John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
 
Are you persuaded enough to praise God for blessings that have not come yet?
 
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
 
We have a God worth turning to!
 
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 

 

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