rejoice always

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.4.NLT

In the verses surrounding this verse Paul is exhorting two women to agree in the Lord and to the recipient of the letter to support that end. These two women supported Paul in the ministry. We can assume they were strong women.

I have a strong character and in my connect group I have another strong woman. We constantly have to strive to agree and pray for each other, otherwise we would be at odds with each other.

Paul follows his exhortation to the women with the above verse: rejoice, again I say rejoice. This brings to mind the attitude we should have with each other. We are to rejoice in one anothers strength, not complain or seek one-upmanship.

After this verse Paul talks of letting our graciousness be know to everyone. For a strong woman to be gracious, she must humble herself and allow Jesus to be Lord, not run in her own strength.

He then says: don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving,  let you requests be known to the Lord. At times we can contend in the flesh on how to solve a matter. Yet, Paul exhorts us to pray. Prayer changes things, and bring provision. Amen!

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