Bible Study—November 14, 2013

Read:   Philippians 4:1-9; John 1:1; Mark 9:19; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 16:6; 1 John 1:2; John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

In [Philippians 4:6, Paul writes] “In nothing be anxious.” Often when we hear bad news, we worry and fall into anxiety. Anxiety undermines the living of Christ. Instead of being anxious, in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving we should make our requests known to God. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus (v. 7). The peace of God saves us from worry and anxiety. Paul’s word here proves that our interpretation of these verses according to our experience is correct. Being free from anxiety is for the purpose of keeping us calm and tranquil.

In verse 6 Paul charges us “in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” The words in everything refer to the many different things which happen to us day by day. Under the Lord’s blessing, many positive things happen, and we hear good news. However, we also experience negative things and hear bad news. Nevertheless, in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, we should make our requests known to God. Prayer is general with the essence of worship and fellowship; petition is special for particular needs.

Download the reading: In nothing be anxious

Resources
Reading: Life-study of Philippians, Message 56-62
Download the LSM Radio: Podcast 1

Hymn (Tune)
Category: Comfort in Trials

1. O let us rejoice in the Lord evermore,
Though all things around us be trying,
Though floods of affliction like sea billows roar,
It’s better to sing than be sighing.

(Chorus)
Then rejoice evermore, rejoice evermore,
It is better to sing than be sighing:
It is better to live than be dying;
So let us rejoice evermore.

2. O let us rejoice in the Lord evermore,
When the darts of the tempter are flying,
For Satan still dreads, as he oft did of yore,
Our singing much more than our sighing.

3. O let us rejoice in the Lord evermore,
When sickness upon us is stealing,
No cordial like gladness our strength can restore,
For joy is the fountain of healing.

Published by Campus Christians at Cypress College

Campus Christians is a student group composed of believers in Christ from various backgrounds, and we stand absolutely for the faith common to all Christians. We love the Lord Jesus Christ, endeavor to give Him “the first place in all things” (Col. 1:18), and have the utmost respect for His Word. We meet simply as Christians without any denominational affiliation because we treasure the testimony of the oneness of the Body of Christ, and our desire is to cooperate with Him for the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11) by ministering the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:18) for the building up of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).