Posted on 07/02/2004 12:58:08 PM PDT by Commander8
Philippians 4:6-9 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Recipe For Peace Recipes are a necessary part of any homemaker's life. My lovely wife often is on the giving or receiving end of a favorite recipe for some tasty dish. Such memories bring to mind the SPIRITUAL recipes found in God's Word. A favorite one is recorded by Paul in today's text. Three ingredients, when combined together, result in a peaceful life that cannot be explained by the world. This peace of God is the ability to rest on the inside even though outward circumstances may be turbulent. If we carefully follow the instructions, we will experience this peace. The first ingredeint, simply stated, is DO NOT WORRY. Worry is natural to our human nature; however, this characteristic can be overcome. Paul indicates how this can be done by listing in verse eight a number of positive virtues and exhorting, "Think on these things." Second, we are to PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. We often mistakenly think that GOD only cares when something "big" is happening in our lives. Yet, God's Word assures us that the ears of the Lord are always open to the prayers of the righteous (Psalms 34:15, 1 Peter 3:12) Little or big, it makes no difference; God is interested. The final ingeredient, and possibly the most important, is to BE THANKFUL FOR ANYTHING. In order to develop an attitude that is truly thankful, one must recognize that, for the Christian, God works everything together for good (Romans 8:28). Thus, we can thank God for every circumstance of life, regardless of how cruel it may seem. So, do not worry, pray about everything and be thankful for anything. The result will be the "peace...which passeth all understanding (verse 7.) JED
PING!
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