A Realization!

Have you ever read scripture backwards?  I have ...rather unintentionally...I will try to walk you through the process and hopefully you will come to the same REALIZATION I did!

It started with Philippians  4:13 (a very well known, well memorized verse)
  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

Then I was looking for another couple of verses that I like so well...and realized (because I can recall a verse, but then have a tendency to forget where it comes from!) that it was also in Philippians 4, verses 11 and 12!

 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. (HCSB)

One more set of verses I needed brought me to Philippians chapter 4 again, starting in verse 4!

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and 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 moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (HCSB)

Well I just sat back and smiled because I love the way God uses His word,  how it is alive and looks new to me at different times!  How exciting!

Let me try to explain how I saw it that day;

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, but by being content in all things then much can accomplish much in me!
That contentment is rooted in the peace that comes from rejoicing in the Lord, giving up our worry, praying, being thankful in all things!
That peace will guard our minds and hearts from the things in the world that might cause discontent.  If we focus on the things of God, things that are; true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, of moral excellence, praise, it will bring peace.
With peace comes contentment and in contentment comes strength in Christ to accomplish all He has for us!

I know....if I had just start at the beginning of Philippians chapter 4 then all of it would flow and make perfect sense.  Go ahead and click on this link to read the whole chapter.  Philippians 4

.....but for me, reading it in "reverse" allowed me to have a new realization in how the verses all worked together!  Isn't GOD wonderful! 
Don't ever get bored or even routine in reading God's word, because He can use it every day to show you something new!
God's word is living, flowing, moving

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, ... Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)

since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.  ²⁴ For

All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.

And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you  1 Peter 1:23-25 (HCSB)

My prayer for you this week is that you have the desire to open God's Living Word every day and read it with fresh eyes. You allow it to be new and exciting!
Until next week and Coffee with a Dear Friend!