Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 16, 2016
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7, NLT
In the military there is a vanguard in the front of the army that protects from threats or surprises. In the rear of the army is the rearguard who is ever vigilant to watch for flank attacks from the enemy. And among officers or royalty there may be a lifeguard focused on the safety of one individual. In physical battles there are strategic preparations that increase the probability of victory and securing sustainable peace. Ongoing peace is not a passive exercise. My weakness is God’s chance to show up and show off. When I am down to nothing, He is up to something.
In a similar fashion the human heart requires a prayerful plan to experience ongoing peace. A child of God is blessed by the vanguard of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is out in front of a life to discern truth and provide wisdom. Good decisions result from the Holy Spirit on point. Our heavenly Father is the rear guard of grace who supports His child with inner strength. Jesus is the lifeguard whose presence brings peace and calm and over the individual believer is the banner of the Lord’s love to protect from the enemy’s aerial attacks. God’s peace guards humble hearts.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
Anger may try to ambush you from the rear guard of your life. Hurt may quietly simmer in a small shadow of your heart waiting to be flushed out by fatigue or rejection. Preemptively, apply God’s grace to heal your hurt. When lies boldly attack out front in the form of head to head combat—say truth out loud and ask the Spirit for wisdom and discernment. Worry will try to wreck your relationship with Jesus and steal your peace and joy. If that’s the case—be still, focus on Jesus by faith. Let the covering of the Lord’s love comfort your heart and give confidence to your mind.
Pride tries to push out peace and replace it with anxious self-reliance. Reject pride’s overtures by remaining loyal in humble dependence on God. Talk with your heavenly Father about your needs and wants—rest in His reassuring presence. Thank Him for past, present and future blessings. Circumstances can be chaotic, and relational confusion can swirl around you—but God’s peace stills your soul, and guards your heart and mind in Christ. Peace of heart is the product of heartfelt prayer. To guard your heart is to release your heart to God and receive His peace.
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow my heart of peace by growing my love and trust in You.Application
How to grow a heart of peace: Ask: 1) Do I pray thankful prayers? 2) Am I open to share my fears with God and others? 3) Am I daily renewing my heart and mind with truth?Related Reading
Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 6:25-34; John 14:27; Ephesians 3:19, 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1Post/Tweet today
My weakness is God’s chance to show up and show off. #wisdomhunters #heartofpeaceWorship Resource
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Coming into this season of life with an extreme “contentious” atmosphere in this country, this is the best God wisdom to tuck in your heart today. Thank you Boyd Bailey for listening to God and for imparting such incredible wisdom to us for times such as these. We need it. God help us. Help us fight a good fight of faith, walk on the narrow path, on the “Offense with God’s Word” and God’s Wisdom and be empowered by God, instead of the easy way of picking up an offense and running off impulsively powered by anger. Keep writing and sharing, you are very gifted by God, Boyd Bailey, and more than ever we need it. We need to #ListenUP to God’s Wisdom and #SpeakOut of this wisdom. Our human sense will fall in this season of our lives, God’s wisdom will stand.