| Prayer, Supplication, Thanksgiving “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 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.” (Philippians 4:6-9) | ||
| Not to worry about anything? Can this stipulation be meant seriously? One gets nothing for free in life! One has to work very hard for everything and the latecomers suffer the consequences! This is how many people reason – it is what they have experienced and maybe you have too? The practical call not to worry about anything, sounds more like a provocation, like something totally unrealistic and not do-able. Perhaps one can, even as a believer, sometimes simply smile wearily at this? If we, as Christians, want to be honest, we must admit that this “worry over something” is mostly the result of a lack of patience – which we all need at all times (Hebrews 10:36). Therefore, it is not always a lack of faith! Something we are really good at is impatience and worry! Sometimes waiting can also be a test! Are we open to this? The reality of life in this often cold, impersonal world without prospects sometimes causes us unprecedented worries. But, the love and mercy of God in our lives is the best and most rewarding answer to our worries. The question is not what God can, but what must and needs to happen, to strengthen our faith and find our destiny. In this world, only an established faith can ensure our patience (James 1:3) and only patience can accomplish that which is best for us (James 1:4). We must learn something and implement that which we have learned, received, heard and seen, to be established in God's peace (which is then awarded). God will not expect or demand from us, that which we have not (or not yet) received, understood or learned. There is nothing impossible through faith - only people, moments in time, goals and awards – all in the measure and manner which God determines, even in your life! One can indeed learn to have faith. This can be accomplished through not separating faith from your every day life (in its entirety). Paul said to his foster son in 2 Timothy 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” When we remain in Christ, then we really do not have to worry about anything – this is not a saying, but the Gospel truth and the logic consequences of the power, love, grace and peace of God. Should we experience fear, anxiety, turmoil, doubt, insecurity, worry and depression when Jesus stands before us, with open arms, smiling at us? Yes, on the contrary, we should live with the Spirit of the living God in our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). What we have received, cannot doubt, because the Spirit of God does not have self-doubt, making intercession for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). Faith does not doubt, otherwise it is not faith. What hinders us to, for example cast mountains into the sea, is not dependent upon how great or small our faith is, but due to the doubt in our hearts (Mark 11:23). That which we have not received, should also not cause us unnecessary headaches. We should allow that which we have learned and received to do its good work in our faith. Nothing edifying can come out of our worry over things which have not been given to us. Not every one has received the ability or gift to move mountains or walk on water, or heal the sick or to preach. In the first instance we have all received the forgiveness of our sins in which we can and should stand fast (Romans 6:11). We must never doubt that! Thus, whilst we have received redemption, eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven as our inheritance through the Gospel of Jesus Christ what lack or insecurity in this life should we still fear? Paul writes in Romans 8:31-32 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [mehr] Jörg Bauer | ||
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This post first appeared on Christian Devotions In The Daily-Message - English, please read the originial post: here
