It's Personal | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: It's Personal | Previous Challenge Entry
By Patricia Trimarchi
06/06/06
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Philippians 4:4-6 (RSV) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This scripture says so much about the character of our Lord, and shares with us the secret of personal peace, as well. “Rejoice in the Lord always…” may be a command, I suppose, but it tells us that we have reason to rejoice, else why would Paul be telling us to do so? He found this rejoicing to be so important, he repeated it!

“Let others know your forbearance…” Let them see your steady perseverance; your self- control. Rejoicing in Jesus gives us a singleness of mind we do not possess in the flesh, and it is that very thing that gives us peace.

“The Lord is at hand.” He is indeed very close at all times. Those five words alone are so comforting. He is neither short- sighted nor does He have a hearing deficit.

“Have no anxiety…” There is no need for one anxious moment in our days, for we have this ever present Christ, in whom we may rejoice, and a loving Father, who is “Jehovah Jireh”, our provider. As we make our requests known we can rest assured that whatever the matter, our Father will see that the very best outcome will result.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Oh, and when we get that peace, it surely does pass all understanding, doesn’t it?

I have on occasion had the “rejoicing; the forbearance; the recognition of my Lord at hand; and the absence of anxiety” in place. Those times are, glory to God, growing longer and more frequent, as I grow up. This is perfect peace that makes no sense to those who do not know Him. This is perfect peace that is only available to the undivided mind, and a heart in a state of thankful rejoicing. This is, between the Lord and me…perfectly personal peace.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.