Caption: The Peace Of God Text. : Philippians 4:6-8 Phi 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phi 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. There is always the tendency to be anxious about something. It could be about your job, school, finances, marriage, the future, etc. But anxiety leaves you with nothing else than worries. Anxiety weakens your faith, it makes you lose hope and always makes you lose focus and shift your attention off what God is able to do. It makes you focus on the problems rather than the God who is able to solve the problems. It makes you doubt God. It is one tool the enemy uses to distract Christians. Instead of being anxious, which leaves us with no hope, Paul admonishes us to turn our worries into prayers. In other words, instead of thinking and pondering over the challenges, difficulties and those problems we are not able to solve, let us rather take them to God in prayer. In prayer, we gain hope, we receive new strength to carry on, we are assured, we rise up above the level of the challenges. Paul didnt promise us that in prayer we will receive answers or our problems will be solved immediately after praying, rather, he assures us that Gods peace which exceeds every human understanding will guard our hearts and our minds(the very places the enemy wants to influence). The enemy always wants to use our minds as his playground and battlefield, and our hearts as his hard-drive, where he can store his information. But we are assured that in prayer, God shields and guards our hearts and minds so that the enemys influences, whisperings and deceptions are not able to penetrate through. The peace of God is not the absence of troubles or challenges. It is not good feelings. It is the confident hope, assurance and comfort we receive in the midst of our troubles and challenges. What is it that has been a burden to you? Take it to God in prayers. He is Able and He is Faithful. Anytime anxiety sets in, be reminded also about the fact that there is the need for prayer. After prayer, dont remain there. Paul has shown us a way to be sustained and continue in the peace we will receive in the 8th verse. Read more- Psalm 40:1-3 and Isaiah 40:31 Prayer: Lord, please help me focus on You at all times and trust in You fully. Whenever anxiety sets in, let me know that You are the God who is always there in the midst of my afflictions to help and guide me. I depend on You Lord. You are my Strength and my Help. Amen. Seasoned DEVOTIONAL
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:08:17 +0000
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