Saturday, October 8, 2011

Stand Firm in the Lord



I want to talk about this scripture from the Bible:  Philippians 4:1-9. 

This coming Sunday, I will be presiding for our church service at the Community of Christ.  It is hard for me right now to get the words I know aren’t coming easy.   

I have been on a ride with God and the Alzheimer’s Association.   September was the month we were focusing to share to the world that this Disease needs to have research, support, and funds.    I was willing to be a part of the month’s activities. 

In late July, a friend saw my blog and asked me if I would be willing to go to the Midland Daily News.  I said:  I need to pray and the next day I said: Yes.   I was scared.  Then I remembered that God will let it happen or stop it.  God said yes.  

So through August and September: 

·         I spoke at two walks about Alzheimer’s Disease

·         Went around Midland getting pictures:  
o   in church
o   celebrating birthdays
o   volunteering
o   mall-walking
o   working on my blog in bed
o   seeing my doctor

·         Attended church services, meetings and interviews

And more. 

I am tired. 

I had a great time sharing with people who have this disease, and their family or caregivers, or others that want to help by donating their time, their money and their love.  There were sad times and a lot of laughter.  Best of all, God gave us His strength, His Power to keep us moving. 

Today I am praying that He will again give me strength to finish this blog.

I was reading this scripture from Philippians.  What does that mean about standing firm in the Lord?   It means for me that when I was asked to preside for this Sunday, I could say yes.  I can stand firm with Him walking side by side.  This scripture is in my heart forever.   I can stand firm in the Lord only by his grace.  I need to remember:  God’s will, not mine.  This will keep me standing, too. 
Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 

 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry 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. 

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

The first time I walked into the hospital as a nurse,(just out of college) I went to the chapel and prayed that God would keep me calm, do the right thing and ask help from others    I continued to go to the chapel every day before I go to work and when things got hard. 

Philippians 4: 4-7 was my favorite.  It always gives me peace.  

In 4:1-3  Paul needed to get the ladies together because the whole congregation is upset.  I have been in those times when a friend and I did not connect to agree. And I knew I was right, my friend said she was right and we would try to get others on our sides.   We all have done it sometime.  Paul wanted to stop this.  We all need to stop it.  When we do that is when we REJOICE!

 How can I do it?  For me: Praying and talking and listening with God, then asking God for His will to be done, not mine.   And God will help me to listen to my friend’s thoughts and ideas and I can understand where they are going.  And I hope that they will too listen to my thoughts and ideas so we can come together.

In verses 4-7:   We rejoice!  We can be gentle, we know our Lord is with us, we don’t have to worry, we can pray, we can be thankful, we can talk to God and He will listen, we will have the peace of God, we can have an understanding in our hearts, our minds, and will be guarded in Christ Jesus.

And then in verses 8-9:  I have nothing to say, it speaks for itself.  

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. 

This is the reason I love Philippians 4: 1-9: It started with a problem, got it fixed, and God’s unconditional Love reminds us that we can share His love to all that we come into our lives.

REJOICE!  
Stand Firm in the Lord
I Can!  I will!