Good morning, all!
Father, what does the day hold for us? Only You alone know, for You have written it in the heavens and it will be revealed to us by the works of Your hand. Help us Lord to trust You and see You in all that we face today, strengthen our heart to pray and make known our requests to You, Amen.
Philippians 3
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.
Be happy sometimes…oh AWLAYS and let me tell you again in case you forgot…be HAPPY!!!
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.
Demonstrate gentleness to mankind, you have that kind of power at your disposal…God’s within your grasp…so don’t let go!
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Don’t worry about NOTHING but in EVERYTHING make sure you pray with passion and conviction and give thanks in all you face and take your NEEDS to God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
And in the trial, you face God will give you peace which we won’t understand so KEEP your passions and thoughts focused on Christ.
Bottom line
How many times have you heard that phrase growing up, be careful? All the time and we probably say it to our children today, funny but here we are told to be careful for nothing. Of course, we have to look at this through the eyes of God and not man. Paul is encouraging the church and providing guidance on how to face trials and difficulties and what is the first thing we are called to do? REJOICE…say thank you Lord, which if we’re honest it’s the last thing we do. And after we thank God, we are to show GENTLENESS to ALL men, are we gentle to others in the face of difficulties? And the third thing we are called to do is NOTHING…don’t take matters into our own hands. Can you imagine giving that class? We’re all brought up with a mentality that says in case of emergency break glass. God says NO, NO, NO rejoice, be gentle and leave it alone. Now, he immediately explains why right after the three actions he’s given us…the Lord is at hand. Man, I wish I could live that one a lot more often than I do, you feel me? To know God is ever present in the midst of our trial, I believe this is a real gift this morning if we can receive it, does anyone want to be sad? Be harsh? Get worked up? So as children of God instead of responding as the world we are called to PRAY!!! That’s right pray with passion and not with sadness, He said with thanksgiving in your heart. This is true faith, to be able to go to our heavenly Father with the belief that tears aren’t needed in order to get God’s attention…He’s getting ours. Now, I believe there are times when we should pray with tears, when?
[Luk 7:38 KJV] And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment. Scriptures says the woman was a sinner and the Pharisees chastised Jesus for letting the woman touch Him, but not so. She wanted to be forgiven, she wanted to be changed, they were tears of repentance and she loved much but to those that forgive little they love little…translation…what is the evidence of true love? FORGIVENESS, if you don’t forgive you have little love. Do you believe the Lord is at hand this morning? Do you believe He’s in control of your life? Do you believe He loves you? Then rejoice, be gentle and chill the Lord is with you and He will keep your HEART and your MIND…be careful of nothing!
Point to Ponder
Are you upset? [Luk 10:41-42 NIV] Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed–or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Martha or Mary the choice is yours, be upset about many things or sit with Jesus and be better…nobody can take Him from you.
Let’s all rejoice, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends