This Day’s Scripture Threshings for Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Today’s Text: Philippians 4:1–9
Key Verse: _”Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”_ (vs. 6, ESV)
I can’t ever forget reading a small leaflet placed on the bedside drawer of my room in Manhattan Hotels and Suites, Chiang Mai, Thailand in Summer of 2016. I perceived a previous guest left it there for the next; and so did I for the next guest. It’s an article from an unknown source. It has it that an average person's anxiety is focused on 40% of things that will never happen; 30% of things about the past that can't be changed; 12% of things about criticism by others that are mostly untrue; 10% about health, which gets worse with stress; and 8% about real problems that will be faced wether we worry or not.
If we worry mostly on things that’d never happen or those that already did and we can’t change, why can’t we then stop our worries?! — From the unknowns to real life challenges, to thoughts of looking for a place to live; sorting and packing up belongings; finding a new job; making our way around a new city — to feeling unsettled about getting settled. We just seem unable to stop worrying even when the apostle Paul’s admonition echoes on our minds; we still just can’t.
Friends, life is not without uncertainties; and they come in different forms; but God invites us to let go of our stressors and fears of the unknown by giving them to Him. When we do, He, who knows all things, promises that His peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus (v. 7); and that’s when we’ll be able to think on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent (v. 8) — which are great virtues and blessings the devil robs us of by instilling worries.
Paul teaches us to “be careful for nothing,” an exact repetition of our Lord’s command, “Take no thought!” (Matthew 6:26, 34). Our Lord and the apostle gave us a sure cure for care when they admonish us to prayer about everything. Bringing our anxieties to God helps us not to be anxious about them. As our field of prayer advances, that of care recedes. The conventional limitation of prayer is the secret of much unconquered anxiety. In the same way, giving thanks to God perfects the remedy. This is a ground of encouragement from past victories, an anticipation for future help, and a direct relief from pressing anxiety. Care gives us a bad memory; but a grateful reflection of the past will help allay anxieties about the future.
*Quote for the Day:* _“Care gives us a bad memory; but gratitude reflects on victories.”_ (Simon Olatunji)
*Prayer:* Dear Lord, what a blessing to know we do not have to be anxious about anything! Remind us that we can come to You and tell You about everything. Thank You for who You are and what You are doing in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.
_With all my Love and Prayer,_
*Simon Wale Olatunji*
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
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Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
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[*This Day’s Scripture Threshings* is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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