May 4, 2025 -- Philippians 5b-7 -- Knowing the nearness of the Lord

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5b-7 ESV
 
Because the Lord is near—physically and Jesus’s return is nearing in time—we do not need to be anxious about anything. Our lives are anchored in Jesus Christ. When something comes up in our lives and we find ourselves struggling in some way or another, we go to Jesus in prayer. There is in fact a double emphasis here, as believers are commanded to pray and then to pray with urgency asking from God the supply necessary help to face whatever hardship, challenge or persecutions are enveloping them.
 
Believers will suffer for the sake of knowing Jesus and His righteousness. In the previous chapter Paul noted that by any means possible he would attain the resurrection from the dead. He would have to put off his old nature. He would have to deny the lusts of his flesh. He would have to fight the temptations the world presents to him. He will have to remain steadfast and true, even when fellow believers lose their enthusiasm and refuse to engage wholeheartedly in the walk with Jesus. All of that is in addition to the fact that the world hates Jesus and refuses to walk with Him with integrity and truth. Living as a believer who has attained the resurrection from the dead requires holy vigilance over your life.
 
Dear friends, we need fellow believers. The predominant picture that Jesus paints of our new life in Him is that of family. When believers are united to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, we become brothers and sisters. Our biological ties are far less significant than the unity which is ours through the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we encounter brutal and bitter hardship because of our union with Jesus, that supplication becomes something which draws believers together. The hardship brings the fellowship of urgent, pleading prayer to God. Rising from those times of prayer, believers know a deeper unity. Rising from those times of prayer believers have a greater, Spirit-fueled confidence in the on-going work of Jesus.
 
Get to a Bible-believing, preaching, and engaging gathering of believers. Fight the inclination to stay home. Fight the urge to remain isolated or alone. The Lord is at hand—as you rejoice in this knowledge share such joy with others. The Lord is at hand—if you are wrestling to experience this, get to church and supplicate with fellow believers for the awareness of His nearness.
 
Father in heaven, thank You that by the work of Jesus Christ we are Your beloved sons and daughters. Thank You for the unity which is preserved in us by the Holy Spirit. Teach us to pray. Deepen our prayer life so that the urgency matches the need, and the leisure prayers stretch out to delight in Your goodness and find true times of refreshing in Your presence. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/9zGbdg1YCYY?si=H8fcFi_oTyPnYGJi Afflicted Saint to Christ Draw Near
 

Copyright © 2025 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.