God calls us to guard our hearts and minds carefully.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” Philippians 4: 6 & 7
God calls us to guard our hearts and minds carefully. (Proverbs 4:23)
He also gives us amazing insight as He tells us how HE will also guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It isn’t all up to us. Yes, we make the choice to pay attention to what we allow to settle there. We need to choose wisely and bring our thoughts and concerns to Him for His help.
And then God does the amazing and gives us a peace in our hearts that is beyond understanding! This peace itself guards our hearts and minds from dangerous stress and hasty, unwise choices. Thanksgiving is a key.
Everyday there is much to be thankful for. There is also much to keep one feeling anxious and worried. Yet God calls you to live in thanksgiving and in peace. Worry only gives way to fear and fear will displace your faith causing anxiety to grow. God tells us to let faith take the upper hand and cover over the fear that tries to slip in and rob you of peace. Let the truth of His word change your anxious heart and mind and let worry be your call to prayer.
Dear God, Fill my heart and mind with the recollection of all I have to say “thank you” for. Thank you that as I take responsibility for guarding my heart and bringing my fears to You, YOU also guard my heart and mind with Your amazing peace. What a wonderful exchange! Today I turn my worried thoughts over to you and ask You to preside over the details of my life. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further Reading
• Fear, Faith and Migraines by Dr. Muriel
What are we doing for the sake of the gospel? Are you praying? Are you going? Are you giving?
“For whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it.” Mark 8:35
Luis was born in Vietnam, his father left the family when Luis was very young, and because his mother was unable to care for him, she took him to an orphanage, where he spent his younger years.
There was a missionary couple who used to come to the orphanage encouraging the children to believe in Jesus and they would be blessed. Luis wanted to be blessed and invited Jesus into his life. And then, he himself became a missionary.
Whatever he learned from the missionaries, he taught other children. He shared the gospel with whoever would listen. When he was older, during the war, he was put in prison for sharing the gospel and spent over eleven years of his life there. He decided this was where God wanted him to share the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness and he told his fellow prisoners about Jesus. Over fifty became his disciples.
Now, he lives in North America, but spends about 60% of a year, traveling to un-evangelized areas of the world, many times living in squalid conditions, going from place to place setting up water filters to bring clean water, food, medical supplies as well as sharing the Jesus story on DVDs with thousands of villagers.
Jesus changed the life of Luis, is blessing his life and is using him to bless thousands.
What are we doing for the sake of the gospel? Are you praying? Are you going? Are you giving?
Father, thank you for people like Luis. Keep blessing him with good health, emotional, spiritual and physical strength. Lord Jesus, protect him from those who souls try to stop him. Amen.
