Philippians 4:10-23; Psalm 73:23-28

In times of plenty, in times of want, YOU are still God.

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“Who is there in heaven but You, Lord?
And earth has nothing desirable besides You!
Flesh and heart may fail, but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I am always with You; You hold her by Your right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel, into Your truth, protecting me from being deceived by the concepts of this world. And one day, You’ll take me into glory to be with You forever!”

How very good it is to be near to You, Father! You, the Sovereign Lord, are my refuge. Help me to tell of all Your deeds by my words, my actions, my entire life!

You are God in times of plenty and You are still God in times of need… whatever the “riches” may be–money, time, friends, significance, direction, familiar faces, basic essentials, family bonds, avenues of ministry, skills/talents, etc.  You provide me the strength to do whatever lies before me.  And, You, my God, will meet ALL–not some, not only a few, but ALL! my needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

You are already at work to provide all that I need, helping me to sort out my needs and wants and “wait fors.”

Keep me right up next to Your heart and cause my own heart and mind to hunger for Your Word, more than anything else. Shape my mind, my perspective on life here by Your Truth. To You, our God and Father, be glory forever and ever!  Amen.

Philippians 4:1-9

In times of plenty, in times of want, YOU are still God.

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Ah, Father! Your presence is like nothing else!  The light of Your face—the warmth of Your embrace— the whisper of Your voice—the assurance of Your love!!  When Your character and nature are in full view, how easy it becomes to “rejoice in the Lord always.”

For this day and those to come, help me in all things to stand firm in You.  Allow others to see You in me, to know that You are near.

Remind me, as often as it takes, to stop being anxious about anything—to stop worrying over stuff, to stop trying to sort out stuff on my own.  Rather, help me to speak each thing to You in prayer, asking YOU for Your help, and thanking You for whatever You will do to affect the situation.  And thank You, Father, for the promise of Your peace when I do this. …Your peace that is far too great for me to completely understand—Your peace that is able to guard, protect, defend my mind (thought life) and my heart (emotions, who I am) in Christ Jesus.

Work Your will in my mind so that my thoughts are focused only on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—anything excellent or praiseworthy.  Cause me to think on such things.  When my mind strays or gets caught up in things contrary or counterfeit to these, grab my attention and redirect my thinking. Thanks for the peace You promise to bring when I do!!

Thanks for the things You’ve been teaching me all along as You’ve nurtured my faith in You.  Thanks for continuing to shape me into someone who’s learning to trust what You say, to trust You to be Who You say You are, to do what You say You’ll do.  Use me to cause other hearts to look to You even more. Make me even more like Jesus.  Amen.

Philippians 3

In times of plenty, in times of want, YOU are still God.

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Father, “when I look into Your holiness, when I gaze into Your loveliness, … When I’ve found the joy of reaching Your heart and my will becomes enthroned with Your love, when all things that surround become shadows in the light of You, I worship You! I worship You!  The reason I live is to worship You!”*

Knowing You, Jesus, KNOWING YOU—the ultimate Source of all things needed for this life!  Thank You for welcoming a friendship with us!

As I face this day, and each one to come, help me to renew my commitment to follow You.  Strengthen me to toss all other things which I could consider valuable or profitable right into the trash. Show me again and again the stark difference in the things of this world compared to knowing You.  And help me to always set before me the goal of knowing You more and more intimately each day.

Thank You for the righteousness You give me through my faith in Christ and which comes directly from You, Father–nothing I could do on my own.  Refresh continually in me the desire to “know You, Christ, and the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in Your sufferings, becoming like You in Your death, and so somehow, to get in on the resurrection from the dead.”  Help me to daily dump all other things I thought important right into the garbage and to embrace You and enjoy Your embracing me.

Definitely, Lord, I don’t have all of this together and am not anywhere near the complete goal.  But I’m on my way, reaching out for You, Jesus, who has so wondrously reached out for me.  I’m no expert—but inside here in my heart is a desire and somewhat of a determination:  My eye is on the goal, where You, Lord, await and are cheering and calling me onward–to Jesus.  I’m off and running and You can keep me from turning back or to the side.

So, Father, keep me centered on You and the goal of knowing You above all else; keep me wanting everything You have for me.  If I ever get anything else in mind, something less than total commitment, You just go ahead and clear up my blurred vision.  Keep me on the right track that leads along the path of Your will.

Father, You’ve revealed that there’s far more to life than right here and now, than what we can see.  I am a citizen of heaven! … awaiting the arrival of You, my Savior, my Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform my earthly body into a glorious body like Your own.  You’ll make me beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which You’re enabled to bring everything under Your control.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

*”When I Look into Your Holiness” composed by Cathy & Wayne Perrin; ⓒ Copyright 1981 by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the author.  Read the story behind the song