"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7)
This is one of the most familiar passages to Followers of Jesus Christ; it is medicine for the, "anxious." Can I paraphrase here? "...In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving"----- pray. This is the best "prayer seminar" we could ever attend. A look at the words translated, "supplication," and, "requests," reveals that what the Holy Spirit is saying here is, "in everything by prayer and prayer,..let your prayers be made known to God."
What would happen to the "mood-drug" industry if those who claim to be, "born again," would obey today's text, if we would just keep in mind that, "prayer...with thanksgiving," is not a religious exercise for the "quiet time," or opening of meetings. Prayer is nothing less than communion, intimate, loving friendship in the Living Triune God of the universe. I still remember that time in my life when I asked the Lord why He places so much emphasis on prayer, and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, "Because I like you."
Our text reveals that if I neglect to pray, I forfeit, "the peace of God...through Christ Jesus." If someone claims to have "peace" who does not pray, it is not, "the peace of God...through Christ Jesus"; it is counterfeit peace. "The peace of God," is only, "through Christ Jesus," in Christ Jesus, because of Christ Jesus. The Bible says, "For He Himself is our Peace," and according to verse 7, our non understandable peace. I maintain that if we understand the peace we have, it is not His Peace. His Peace, "surpasses (transcends, exceeds) all understanding."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for all You are and do which I cannot understand. Amen.
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Two very timely new articles at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
This is one of the most familiar passages to Followers of Jesus Christ; it is medicine for the, "anxious." Can I paraphrase here? "...In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving"----- pray. This is the best "prayer seminar" we could ever attend. A look at the words translated, "supplication," and, "requests," reveals that what the Holy Spirit is saying here is, "in everything by prayer and prayer,..let your prayers be made known to God."
What would happen to the "mood-drug" industry if those who claim to be, "born again," would obey today's text, if we would just keep in mind that, "prayer...with thanksgiving," is not a religious exercise for the "quiet time," or opening of meetings. Prayer is nothing less than communion, intimate, loving friendship in the Living Triune God of the universe. I still remember that time in my life when I asked the Lord why He places so much emphasis on prayer, and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, "Because I like you."
Our text reveals that if I neglect to pray, I forfeit, "the peace of God...through Christ Jesus." If someone claims to have "peace" who does not pray, it is not, "the peace of God...through Christ Jesus"; it is counterfeit peace. "The peace of God," is only, "through Christ Jesus," in Christ Jesus, because of Christ Jesus. The Bible says, "For He Himself is our Peace," and according to verse 7, our non understandable peace. I maintain that if we understand the peace we have, it is not His Peace. His Peace, "surpasses (transcends, exceeds) all understanding."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for all You are and do which I cannot understand. Amen.
*******************
Two very timely new articles at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Unreached People Group: www.apfunreachedpeoples.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2"
