14 day plan

Peace with God

Day 8 of 14

CSB

Philippians 4:6-7

6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Who of us has never felt abandoned or bereft?  Who of us has never been upset or distraught or disappointed?  Pain is inevitable I’m afraid, but peace, like misery, is optional.  The problem is that so many of us look for what we need in all the wrong places and we always end up disappointed (again!) and short changed.  Alcohol and drugs (legal and illegal) and material possessions won’t do it – anxiety, loneliness and heartache of every kind coexist with them.  The illusion of a glorious life – those of you with Facebook accounts know what I mean – won’t necessarily bring you lasting peace either. But we get so caught up in thinking that any number of these sorts of things will.  We place our hope in things that are temporary and transient at best and we fail to recognise the real and lasting peace promised by Jesus himself.

Question: What is it, other than Christ Jesus, that is guarding your heart and mind?  What is it, that is keeping you anxious and robbing you of peace?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, be near to me, I pray.  You know my situation, you know the things that make me anxious.  Guard my heart and mind with your peace and don’t let me be distracted and fooled by anything else that offers anything less than this.  Amen.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

Days

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3
4
5
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7
8
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10
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12
13
14

Philippians 4:1-23

1So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.

Practical Counsel

2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. 9Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

15And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. 23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers