2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 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. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
As Paul exhorts us to consider the things that make for the joyful and peaceful life that should characterize us as followers of Christ, he challenges us as to what we do with our hearts, our mouths, and our minds. First, our hearts need to be fully given to Christ, which will lead also to us being bound to one another in the Lord. In almost every letter Paul gives a call to unity, to oneness in Christ - that we will allow nothing to pull us apart, destroying the atmosphere conducive to thanksgiving.
Secondly, we need to consider what we do with our mouths. We should rejoice, and rather than worry and complain, go to God together in prayer, giving thanks to Him, allowing Him to give us peace in all things.
Thirdly, we need to check our minds for what we are thinking about, dwelling on. If we are always caught up in the "what ifs" of life; if we are always dwelling on the negative or sinful, then we will be stifling our thanks to God. In other words, what keeps us from giving God thanks is ourselves.
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