Today, we see that while Jesus lives through us, we are examples of His joy and gentleness.

Review…
Q: 1) What does it mean to be of the same mind in the Lord?

• It means to think the same thing (due to a common bond) in the Lord. Unity not uniformity.

• Peaceful

, Vs. 1-3.
The Prince of Peace living through us provides peace with others. (Ga. 5:1, 13-16. Ep. 4:1-3; 6:10–18. Col. 3:12-17 4:12)

• Jesus provides the peace; by the Spirit we keep the peace. (Ps. 133. Mar. 9:50. Ro. 12:16–18. 1 Co. 1:10. Ep. 2:14. 1 Th. 5:13)

• The community of believers (whose names are written in the book of Life) should work together toward maintaining unity and peace. (Ex. 32:32. Ps. 69:28. Is. 4:3. Eze. 13:9. Da. 12:1. Rom. 12:4–5; 1 Cor. 12:12; Eph. 4:15–16; Col. 2:18–19)

Today…
Q: 2) Are believers to rejoice in all circumstances?

• Believers are to rejoice in the Lord always. It just so happens, while rejoicing in the Lord, we enter one circumstance after another.

• Peaceful

(Vs. 4-7).
Rejoicing in Jesus provides a gentle and jubilant attitude of prayerful thanksgiving. (Ps. 34:1, 2; 145:1. Mat. 5:12. Ac. 5:41. Ro. 5:2, 3. 1 Th. 5:16–18.1 Pe. 4:13)

• Pre-Christian or otherwise worldly

should be forsaken; rather, we should be living as an example of Jesus, because Christ is in us. (Lu. 6:29–35. 1 Co. 6:7; 7:29–31. Tit. 3:2. He. 13:5. 1 Pe. 1:11. Mat. 24:48–50. 1 Th. 5:2–4. He. 10:25)

• Instead of looking at the impossible

before us, look to Almighty God, with

Reveal Answer

in prayer. Mat. 6:25–33. Lu. 10:41.1 Pe. 5:7. Mat. 7:7,8. Lu. 18:1. Ep. 6:18. Col. 4:2. 1 Th. 5:17)

“The way to be anxious about nothing is to be prayerful about everything.” R. Rainy

In closing…
Living the reality, the Lord is my portion, provokes rejoicing and prayer, which eliminates selfish prayers and anxiety.