Philippians 4:6-9 NKJV
[6] Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
Meditate on These Things
[8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. [9] The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Good Morning!
Be anxious for nothing! In other words, don’t stress out about the things you can’t control. Right now, there are a lot of things out of our control and it is easy to go to a place of stress and anxiety. But we need to remember who is in control — God!
With God’s help, we can tap into His glorious richness of faith, grace, hope and love and recite in prayer Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When we accept that there are things that we cannot control and God is still in control, we can have that peace that surpasses all understanding.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
[13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
God has a Master Plan
Throughout the Bible, the prophesies of old came true with hundreds of references predicting the first coming of Christ. In God’s master plan, Jesus fulfilled all of those prophesies down to every letter. In the same way, the second coming of Christ has been prophesied. Jesus Himself told us in Matthew about the signs of the times. Read verses Matthew 24: 3-14. Does this not sound very familiar to the things happening in current news?
We all need to be ready at every moment for the return of Christ. Just as John the Baptist preached about preparing the way of the Lord, we need to be prepared for the second coming of Christ, Who will come as a flash of lightning. The words of Our Lord are not meant to scare or intimidate anyone, rather to have everyone get their hearts right with God and be ready to stand before Him at any given moment.
Isaiah 40:3 NKJV
[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.
Matthew 24:27 NKJV
[27] For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Jesus is Knocking
Jesus knocks gently at all of our hearts and wants all of us to experience His grace and salvation. We are all carrying around heavy burdens, but He wants to give us rest and peace. He will never force Himself on us, but stands at the door and knocks awaiting us to open it and let Him in. He wants to fill us with all of the rewards of righteousness, both in this life and the next.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
[28] Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Revelation 3:20 NKJV
[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Matthew 16:27 NKJV
[27] For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
God Knows Our Needs
Lastly, when things feel disparate and hopeless, don’t fear. Our God knows our needs even before we do. He knows the number of hairs on our heads and we are precious to Him. Psalms tells us that if God should count the thoughts He has toward us, it would be more numerous than all of the grains of sand. Pastor JD Greear gives a great illustration of this here. God cares for us more than we could ever hope or imagine. He will supply all that we need according to His riches and glory! Everything works together for His good. We may not always understand circumstances, but as we trust in Him, He will make it all come together and give us peace flowing like a river. We may not always see it in this life, but in the next life, all things will be made new!
Philippians 4:19 NKJV
[19] And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Psalm 139:17-18 NKJV
[17] How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! [18] If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
Revelation 21:5 NKJV
[5] Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
Matthew 10:30 NKJV
[30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Isaiah 66:12a NIV
For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river…
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad