Philippians 4:6-9 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (NIV).Come to think of it, yesterday's LG has many things to give thanks for.on my part.
What is the difference between true and temporary peace? Temporary peace comes from within a person, when success is assured and circumstances are under control by oneself. True peace arises from putting one's trust in God, regardless of surrounding circumstances. Because the Holy Spirit is in you, you are able to live by faith, and not worry... no matter what happens. The Spirit empowers you to be faithful, to trust, to yield to the Lord's will.
Matthew 6:25-34 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31 So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
1. God wants you to have true peace by praying - about everything
a) In prayer you are transformed
b) After praying, do your best and leave it to God. Don't start complaining to other people / acting restlessly as if no prayer has been uttered at all.
c) By praying you will started to think about holy things. That is why... (next point)
2. God wants you to have true peace by meditating on what is good/positive (act of thinking)
8 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.
Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
3. God wants you to have true peace by putting into practice what you have learned. (act of doing)
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Give thanks for the opportunity to once again come before God to worship Him and experience peace and joy.
Give thanks for the fact that I received healing after 1 whole day of severe URTI and headache (felt much better after praise and worship).
Give thanks for the lives of 2 people in my LG (you know who you are) - 1 took up the challenge to lead games for the 1st time, the other responded to pastor's sharing and made the decision to sign up for Malaysia National Convention despite the risk of supplementary exams and challenge of parental objections.
Give thanks for a fellow faithful Monash admin staff who faithfully join and intercede for us from time to time.
Last of all, really give thanks for the lives of members of U3, a group of people crazy for God (as Jing Jing puts it :p). Travelling up and down weekly, having to prepare to run 2 Lifegroups (1 in UTM, 1 in Monash) and 1 Saturday morning prayer per week, not an easy task.
Let's treasure the opportunity to serve while we still have the chance, believing that breakthrough is just around the corner :)
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