Who strengthens you?

Paul offers some insights into the lives of true saints:

1. Philippians 4:

1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so ^astand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

I don't know why, but this one struck me this morning. Paul is in prison, but he loves and longs for his dearly beloved brethren. Do we have this kind of affection for each other? Do we seek out those who need us? Do we feel that we are also blessed in turn by so doing? Or are we consumed with our own lives/needs/concerns? Personally, I have my good days and bad days. But I'm trying...

2. Philippians 4:

6. ...but in every thing by ^cprayer and supplication with ^dthanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

How do we pray? Do we pray with thanksgiving? Or are our prayers a list of demands, needs, and concerns? Furthermore, I really appreciate the word "supplication," which seems to indicate something more real, more felt, more passionate, than most prayers seem to be. The root is from the Latin supplex from which our modern word supple is derived also. Being supple means easily bent or folded, or flexible. It also means compliant. If our hearts are supple, they are able to be molded by the hands of the Master. If our wills are supple, we will have no problem adapting ourselves to the desires of the Almighty.

3. Philippians 4:

8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are ^atrue, whatsoever things are ^bhonest, whatsoever things are ^cjust, whatsoever thingsare ^dpure, whatsoever things are ^elovely, ^fwhatsoever things are of good report; if there be any ^gvirtue, and if there be any praise,^hthink on these things.

Joseph Smith, in organizing the Articles of Faith, changed this last phrase to "we seek after these things." I like both iterations - Paul's injunction to think on these things sounds like an invitation to ponder the beauty of the world and the talents and abilities of those who are around us. This brings us to praise God and worship Him in gratitude for the things we've received. Brother Joseph's iteration is an explanation and an invitation. In the Wentworth Letter, where the Articles of Faith were first posited, Joseph Smith was explaining and defending the cause of the Church. The desire was to demonstrate that our hearts and souls were good, contrary to libelous reports then in circulation. So this was valuable then for that reason. It is valuable for us now, too, in that we are able to have reason to seek after things that are good, praiseworthy, lovely, etc.

4: Philippians 4:

13I can do all things through ^aChrist which ^bstrengtheneth me.

This is, of course, the great hope of every Christian heart, the great anchor to our faith. Christ is the Sovereign of the Universe, and as such is more powerful than any other entity or being or power. If we are righteous we can lay claim on His mighty power which will enable us to overcome all opposition. Our goal and desire, then, should be to humble ourselves, to cleanse ourselves, and to do all in our power to gain this trust and confidence in Him.

5: Colossians 1:

9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the^aknowledge of his ^bwill in all wisdom and spiritual ^cunderstanding;

10That ye might ^awalk ^bworthy of the Lord unto all ^cpleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the ^dknowledgeof God;

11^aStrengthened with all might, according to his ^bglorious ^cpower, unto all patience and longsuffering with ^djoyfulness;

12Giving ^athanks unto the Father, which hath ^bmade us meet to be partakers of the ^cinheritance of the saints in light:

13Who hath delivered us from the power of ^adarkness, and hath translated us into the ^bkingdom of his dear ^cSon:

14In whom we have ^aredemption through his blood, even the^bforgiveness of sins:

This is a longer passage, but I find it delightful because of the doctrine that is taught. I also enjoy the idea that Paul and his fellow-saints are praying for those who are in the various and sundry parts of the world. We have inspired and diligent leaders in our Ward, Stake, and Church. They are men who are held to standards that they did not establish, being called to positions they did not seek. Yet they do very well, strengthened and inspired and sustained by the Lord. We should do all in our power to support each other in every calling and opportunity. Because one never knows when the tables will turn and we will be given the opportunity to serve... :-)