Bible League: Living His Word Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.The Bible is not big on emotions like fear, worry, and anxiety. Typically, it counsels that we should refrain from having them. Typically, it commands that we should refrain from having them. "Do not fear" (Deuteronomy 31:6), "Do not worry" (Matthew 6:25), and today's verse, "Do not be anxious," are just three of many examples that could be cited. When you look up some dictionary definitions of "anxious" and see descriptions like "mental distress," "greatly worried," "painful suspense," and "extreme uneasiness of mind," you can see why the Bible takes its dim view of anxiety. Who would want any of that? Being anxious is the exact opposite of an emotion the Bible often encourages: peace. In John 14:27, Jesus doesn't say He's going to the Father and leaving us with anxiety. Rather, He says He is leaving us with peace. Peace, one could legitimately conclude, is the standard operating emotion of a Christ-follower. Anxiety, however, is not so easily avoided. Everyone, Christ-follower or not, has bouts of anxiety. In those situations that cause us anxiety Philippians 4:6 has a recommendation: the presenting of prayers and petitions to God. When anxiety strikes, the recommendation is to turn to God, not to the situation. When you do, then something good happens. The peace that transcends all understanding pacifies your troubled heart and mind. You may not understand how God can resolve your situation, but that's why it's called the peace that transcends understanding. You've given the problem to God, you've "cast your cares" (I Peter 5:7), and it is up to Him to figure out how things should be handled. Don't forget the thanksgiving part of the recommendation. Our prayers and petitions should be accompanied with thanksgiving. After all, if we're not thankful for the many things God has already given us, why would we expect He will give us even more? Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingGenesis 15, 16, 17 Genesis 15 -- God's Covenant with Abram NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Genesis 16 -- Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Genesis 17 -- The Covenant of Circumcision NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 5:27-48 Matthew 5 -- The Sermon on the Mount; Beatitudes; Salt; Law; Murder; Adultery; Divorce; Oaths; Enemies NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. Insight Although Abram had been demonstrating his faith through his actions, it was his belief in the Lord, not his actions, that made Abram right with God. Challenge We, too, can have a right relationship with God by trusting him. Our outward actions—church attendance, prayer, good deeds—will not by themselves make us right with God. A right relationship is based on faith—the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. Right actions will follow naturally as by-products. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel--"HE careth for me." Christian! do not dishonor religion by always wearing a brow of care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight which your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden, would be to him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to "Lie passive in God's hands, And know no will but his." O child of suffering, be thou patient; God has not passed thee over in His providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Sit not down in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who careth for you. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your woe, and His hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. He, if thou art one of His family, will bind up thy wounds, and heal thy broken heart. Doubt not His grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that He loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence! With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust Him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, He has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.Ezekiel 16:14 "Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you," declares the Lord GOD. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 1 Peter 4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Psalm 128:1,2 A Song of Ascents. How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. • When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. Philippians 2:12,13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; • for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, • comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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