SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:1-9
In this last chapter Paul speaks of joy once again. He told us “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: Rejoice!” Don’t worry about anything, pray about everything. In your talks with God tell Him what you need and give thanks for all that He has done. Live a life of thanksliving. Lord help me to turn my worries into prayers. Lord, guard my heart against anxiety, by giving me Your peace.
Out of the heart comes the issues of life. Help me in my daily diet to focus on Your desires – on what is good and true. In order to know Your will for my life, help me digest Your Word. May that Word lead me and guide me in my daily living for Jesus. Help me Lord to walk the talk.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid,
And think I’ve lost my way.
Still, you’re there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I don’t Paul is being glib when he says this, nor that he implies that rejoicing is an easy thing to do. I hear Paul sharing with us his discipline for dealing with hardship. Remember he is in jail, and other believers are causing stress (Philippians 1:7,15-18). He makes a conscious effort, a determined choice to dwell on what is good, hopeful, uplifting. This is not just positive thinking, it is positive believing. It is not a denial of hard stuff, but an affirmation that God is bigger than the hard stuff. No matter what, in the end I become what I choose to dwell on. If I choose to dwell on misery, I become miserable; if I choose to dwell on hope, I become hopeful.
THIS IS NOT EASY, but it is necessary, and it requires discipline. Its not something we try to do, its something we train to do – like running and marathon. If I tried to run a marathon today, it would be too hard and I would fail. But if I trained (disciplined) myself, day after day after day, eventually I would be able to run the marathon.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to see that the thoughts and words I choose to focus on every day will either draw me upwards or downwards. Help me to set my mind on things above! Amen!