Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
--Philippians 4:6
I recently read that YouVersion, the popular Bible app, shared that its most engaged with-popular- verse of 2019 was Philippians 4:6.
One only has to open the front page of a newspaper or click on the homepage of news site to see crime, war, sickness, death, conflict, and a culture in decline; it’s enough to cause anxiety in anyone. When that is coupled to the “real world” stress of personal finances, health issues, ageing, and isolation of ourselves or loved ones, it’s enough to cause any person worry and fear. So it’s no wonder the wisdom of the Apostle Paul found in Philippians 4:6 is beloved.
Do you need a little peace in your life? The apostle Paul wrote practical help for you in Philippians 4:6. Now keep in mind, he was in prison when he wrote it. So, Paul knew what he was talking about!
Be thankful for everything. Don’t just thank God for the good things, thank Him for all things. Genuine gratitude and praise produce peace because God inhabits the praises of His people. God draws near when we praise Him. Paul knew how to keep from becoming calloused by life’s troubles, trials, tribulations, and temptations. Paul’s life was full of God’s joy. Paul knew the importance of rejoicing and laughter.
Don’t worry. Trust God. Worry wastes your time and accomplishes nothing. Instead of being gripped by fear, worry, and stress, be gripped by the grace of God. Rest and relax in Him. He has promised to deliver you from all your fears.
Think on the right things. It’s nearly impossible to think two thoughts at once. So if you are thinking on the right and good things, you can’t think of the wrong things.
Pray about everything. Really converse with God on a daily basis. Pray with an attitude of devotion and trust. That’s when prayer accomplishes something. When you pray, you won’t be immune from the problems of life, but you will be in touch with the Redeemer. There is nothing that’s not small to God. Your problems in life, be they a hurt toe or deep anxiety, are well within His control and worthy of being brought before Him. Don’t ever think God is too big to hear your little requests. Yes, He’s the Lord of creation, but He’s also an intimate friend. Take your requests to Him and trust He’ll work every single one of them out for your good and His glory. God loves you and whatever concerns you also concerns Him if you’re walking in His will.
Finally, do the right thing. A cure for worry, anxiety, or fear is work. Put your faith to practice, get involved in life. Give yourself to meaningful ministry and live out the Christian life.
GOD CAN HANDLE ANY PROBLEM IN YOUR LIFE AND GIVE YOU THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE YOU NEED TO SEE PAST TODAY'S STRUGGLES.
Diligent Service
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.”
2 Chronicles 29:9–11
When King Hezekiah decided to seek God’s help after a period of national judgment, one of the things he did was call for those who served God not to be negligent in fulfilling their duties. He recognized that God would not honor halfhearted or indifferent service. God is looking for dedicated, faithful, diligent servants for His work.
Every day we face a choice of how we will spend the twenty-four hours we have been given. Our answer to that question determines what we will accomplish. Adoniram Judson said, “A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity. The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever. How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness! It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked.”
The reality is that 366 days from now, unless the Lord returns or we meet Him in Heaven, we will be looking ahead to the start of another year. Whether we do that with gladness or regret will be determined by how we use those days.
Today's Growth Principle:
We owe God our diligent service, and we will give an account to Him for how we served Him.
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