Devotions For The Reconciled Life

     Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.       Finally 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. Philippians 4:4-8 Going back to versus eight (underlined), it shows us the Outcome or the earmark of being in God’s presence and engaging in earnest effective prayer:  effective communion with God that produces A God-centered Praise WORTHY THOUGHT life. (4:8) Because of engaging in effective earnest prayer and your heart and mind is guarded by t...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally 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. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 As God’s righteous children we know His promises are ours.  I think that is the beginning of the "Rejoice."  If I remember that I am God's child and His promises are true, then I will not be overcome by anxious fears.  I can remember that God holds all ...

'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally 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. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. ' Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice?  In the middle of pain and struggle, rejoice is not the first word that comes to mind.  Fret.  Worry.  Bemoan.  Fear.  Anxiety.  Those are the words that come to my mind naturally when I am faced with struggle and pain....

I am not a huge sport watching person.  I enjoy hockey from time to time.  College football and baseball if I can watch it in person.  But every two years there is an Olympics.  When the Olympics are on TV, my TV is on the Olympics.  This morning, speed skating is on.  These skaters have spent their entire lives preparing for this day.  I can only imagine the anxiety that these athletes are experiencing.  Those that are controlled by this anxiety perform poorly.  Some that I have watched have performed the worst race they have this year. One of the greatest tools that our enemy uses to bring defeat into our lives is anxiety. When we are anxious, it rules our lives. Anxiety causes you to break fellowship with God. - Jesus is the Prince of peace. He is peace; so, to be anxious and focused on anxious thoughts is to take your eyes off of Jesus and to look to self, circumstances, situations, and the lies of the enemy instead of listening...