The BIG Picture (Shorts)

"6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) Key Definitions To understand the depth of this promise, we must look at these three words through the lens of the King James translation: Careful: In this context, it does not mean "cautious." It means to be "full of care"—distraught, anxious, or pulled in many directions by the worries of life. Supplication: This is more than just a general prayer. It is a earnest, humble entreaty. It implies a soul that recognizes its total dependence on God, bringing specific needs to Him with a spirit of "appeal" for His grace. Peace: This refers to Shalom, a divine wholeness and tranquility. It is not just the absence of trouble, but the presence of God’s quietness within the soul, regardle...

Every Pauline epistle opens with “grace and peace” (Rom.1:7; 1Cor.1:3; 2Cor.1:2; Gal.1:3; Eph.1:2; Phil.1:2; Col.1:2; 1Thess.1:1; 2Thess.1:2; 1Tim.1:2; 2Tim.1:2; Tit.1:4; Phm.3). Rather than wrath and judgment, God's attitude towards the whole world—all nations—in the Dispensation of Grace is characterized by grace and peace. This message is unique to Paul's apostleship, as searching through the Scriptures will reveal no similar proclamation before it. The question then arises: how did such a dramatic shift in God's attitude towards the Gentiles occur? The key is the cross of Jesus Christ! In 2Cor.5:19, it states that God does not count the world's trespasses against it. The cross work of Jesus Christ serves as the means for God to extend grace and peace towards this present evil world. Such doctrine was completely unknown in the Bible before the ministry of Paul. It was a unique revelation given directly to Paul by the Lord Jesus Christ, Gal.1:1-4. ______________ Join...