Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Philippians 4:1
When I read Philippians I immediately get warm ‘feelings’ of joy, home, and celebration. When Paul addresses ‘my brothers’ don’t get the idea he is just writing only to the ‘men’. Paul in the very next sentence addresses two women whom he loves dearly. The Philippians community of The Way had to be permeated with the testimony and life of Lydia — Paul’s first ‘convert’ in the city. Lydia was the entrepreneur who invented a new way of making purple cloth. Paul also was great friends with Priscilla and Aquila. Paul’s ministry was marked with lots of strong capable women. Actually the enemy of God wants you to believe the Bible is ‘against’ women and wants them subservient to men. Actually He wants us to be subservient to each other equally (actually men have the bigger call to sacrifice). The Bible is actually more empowering to women than any other ancient writings.
Where do you go for ‘good news’? Whom do you seek out to be encouraged? What is your source of strength and faith? What gives you courage to face each day? Do you visit the ‘wells’ He guides you to? What would those ‘wells’ be exactly? Wells of Truth. Wells of refreshing. Wells of health. Wells of gratefulness. Wells of praise. Wells of peace. Wells of worship. Later in the letter to the Philippians Paul tells them this…
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
“Think about these things.” What have you set your mind to each morning? What are your morning routines? Who are you allowing to program your mind? What do you feed it with first thing in the morning? Allow Him to program your mind. Allow Him to set your day’s appointments. Allow Him to guide you throughout your day. Allow Him to encourage you. Allow Him to tell you ‘He loves you’.
Go the ‘well’ that has the ‘best’ water.
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” John 4:13-15
Drink His water!!!