Philippians 4:1-23

There is a saying, Garbage in-Garbage out, and the verse below makes me think of this phrase. It means that I cannot expect to have a light and joyful spirit if I am constantly listening to a complainer, or surround myself with negative situations. As I often write, starting my day in God's Word gets me going on the right foot.  Reading various devotionals coupled with Scripture and give me a good attitude to face the day.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

It is so important to fill our heads with positive positioning for the day.  It is vital that I not fill my life with people and things that are negative; there is no benefit to this.  We need to be centered on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.  This will almost guarantee a good day or at the very least we will be able to find one of these things in a challenging situation.

So, is there something you can do differently today to turn a possible sad situation around?  What does your calendar look like?  Are you going to be faced with opposition, or turmoil?  Only you can decide if you are going to have a good day or a bad one.

Read Philippians 4:1-23 here

Listen to Philippians 4:1-23 here

Philippians 4:1-23

"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 NIV) 

How do you, "present your requests to God?"  During this time in life, given the unstable financial situation we find our personal lives and our country's future in, what might this look like?  How do you approach God and ask for help?  Are you specific with your requests, asking questions like, "I need your help to pay the mortgage today, Father?  Please show me what to do.  Or do your prayers remain very generic like, "You know my needs God, and I place them in your hands."

Praying is a personal matter and a public one.  My personal prayer journal is filled with specific petitions which often God will answer in a specific way.  But, there are also prayers that are merely cries for help, needs that I don't know how to express.  Sometimes I don't know how I would envision an answer to my plea; I have no idea what the answer should be.  These problems require God sized intervention.  That is when I surrender to His will.

Today let us consider our prayer life.  Today let us practice giving God control, give up anxiousness and fear.  As Christians, we might not understand the process but we can be confident in the outcome.  "God...will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Read Philippians 4:1-23 here

Listen to Philippians 4:1-23 here