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GOING THROUGH
~Philippians 4:4-7~
Rev. Carolyn Baskin-Bell, Guest Preacher
In-person service at
Second Baptist Church
2412 Griffith Ave.
Los Angeles
William S. Epps, Senior Pastor
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“Going Through” Philippians 4:4-7
The text chosen for today’s message is found in Philippians 4:4-7 NRSV
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5- Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 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.”
On this Pink Sunday, Breast Cancer Awareness Worship, please meditate with me on the thought, “Going Through!” As a six-year breast cancer survivor, I am a witness of how to get through the journey of cancer and reinforce the importance of annual mammogram examinations. It was the results of an annual mammogram exam that detected the lump in my breast. Because of early identification and remediation, I stand today cancer free. It is imperative for us to faithfully respond to the reminder and get that annual mammogram. After surgery, one year of chemo-therapy; thirty- five rounds of radiation; I stand today to declare, God brought me through the “Going Through!”
Consider what it means to go through with the Lord rejoicing
as your face what you are experiencing.
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Somebody might ask the question: How did you get through?
Today’s text is one of the scriptures that I relied on during this difficult journey through cancer. The Apostle Paul writes a letter of thanks to the church at Philippi for the gift they had sent to him. This letter is also a message of encouragement for the believers to hold fast to their faith. Some commentators have labeled Philippians as a letter of joy. This letter is written while Paul was in prison and expresses joy in suffering, serving, believing and giving. What a profound message this offers to so many who
are “Going Through”
Consider what it means when facing a dire situation to go
through trusting in the Lord.
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Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | |
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There might be someone who's going through cancer or some other disease.
An individual might be experiencing a broken relationship; grief from the loss of a loved one; the loss of job; a change of life situation that's turning their world upside down. There is good news today, “We’re Just Going Through!” In our going through we must Communicate with God.
Beloved, not only when we are going through, but communicating with God should be
a consistent practice in our spiritual journey. The text states in verse 6b, "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
In our tough times of turmoil and trouble, we’ve got to take everything to the Lord in prayer with grateful hearts.
Consider what it means to be in prayer with thanksgiving,
making your request known to the Lord.
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Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | |
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Note the last portion states, “along with giving thanksgiving.” As we pray, we thank God in advance! Prayer offers us the opportunity to invite God’s presence and power into the situation. The Bible states, “let your requests be made known to God.”
Beloved, in the going through, pour out your heart to the Lord kneeling at the altar; sitting in a reclining chair; on the side of the bed, in your car; in the waiting room; in the examination room; in surgery; in recovery room; in the treatment room.
Pray specifically! Too often our requests are general. Like, Lord bless me, but when we're going through, we’ve got to pray one of those Hannah prayers in I Samuel 1:15 by pouring out the specific desires of our heart. Just talk to the Lord.
Look Lord, I need your strength to get through; I need your power to stand in this difficult situation. Lord, thank you for the competence and compassion of the doctors, nurses and all health professionals. Lord, thank you for the prayer warriors to intercede and agree for God’s power and strength to move us through these challenging situations.
It is imperative to surround ourselves with individuals possessing the fruit of the
Holy Spirit. Thank God for Prayer Warriors who abandon the negative and nay saying stories but come dressed in Holy Ghost amour expressing joy, peace, love and demonstrate faith in God who hears and answers prayers. Not only must we communicate with a grateful heart as we are “Going Through” but we must cast out anxiety and fear.
Consider what it means to thank God for all those who are available
to you to see you through what you are going through.
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Thursday, October 19, 2023 | |
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Secondly, we must cast out anxiety and fear.
In our humanness, these emotions will easily invade our spirits. The challenges of any hardship or horrific experience can bring about a disturbed and distressed state. But thank God for this word in verse 6 which states, “Do not be anxious about anything…”
This is an encouraging word from Apostle Paul who is in prison and sends a message to believers, don’t worry about anything. Worry is a burden no Christian was meant to bear. The writer precedes this imperative in verse 5 which states, “The Lord is near.” Please know that whatever we go through, have no fear, the Lord is near!
Once again through prayer, acknowledge the anxiety, fear, concern. Let go and
Let God.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
We must cast our anxiety to the Lord who promised never to leave us. We must cast out fear and allow our faith in God to overpower doubt and distress. Keep on moving through with faith in God who majors in miracles! Keep moving with faith in God who will carry us through the going through!
Consider what it means to cast your anxiety, concern, fear and
frustration on the Lord.
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Thirdly, we must catch and carry the peace of God in our hearts and mind.
After communicating to God with a grateful heart; casting out anxiety and fear, we must catch the peace of God. Verse 7 states , “Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.”
In the sports arena, the receiver has to catch the ball. Jesus is saying today, Receive my peace! Jesus will give us peace in the midst of the storm! Catch my peace,
He tells us, to carry us through any challenge or confrontation. Catch my peace to carry us through the experience of any sickness or disease.
Consider what it means to experience the peace that passes all
understanding that comes with faith in the Lord.
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Saturday, October 21, 2023 | |
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So in our going through, we must carry peace and hold on to our Joy!
Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble, but I have conquered the world.”
Thank God for the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary! By Jesus’ stripes we are healed! Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ! We too are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ!
Beloved, we’re Just Going Through!
Communicate to God with a grateful heart. Cast out anxiety and fear and catch and carry the peace of God which exceeds all understanding.
Consider what it means that you have experienced what could have
ended your life, but you survived.
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