Do Not Be Anxious about Anything

Paul was writing this letter to the church in Philippi from a prison. He certainly had a reason to be anxious but he discovered a secret that takes anxiety away and replaces with peace and joy. Essentially, Paul was saying...worry about nothing; pray about everything :).

Prayer with gratitude is the antidote to anxiety. Before we make any requests, we should thank God for Who He is and for what He has already done for us. Thank Him for His presence, protection, and provision. Thank Him for His faithfulness, wisdom, and grace. As we come to our Abba Father in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we grow in our faith and in our relationship with Him. Prayer may not change our situations but it changes us.

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) We can always bring everything to the Lord in prayer. Take your problems (every worry/every concern/every burden) to Jesus and leave them there. Let go. Don't pick them back up. Don't carry around weights of anxiety; they will keep you from being useful. Let go and walk in freedom, in faith, and in obedience. Instead of fretting or worrying, we are to pray. Trust in God's loving sovereignty. Trust God's answers (God's will and God's ways) and God's timing. My M.O. is this: I pray. I trust. I rest.

Anxiety is fear of the unknown. If we think long enough, we'll find something to be anxious about because so many things are unknown to us. We must remember that what is unknown to us is completely known to our Heavenly Father. God can be trusted in every anxious situation. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. Don't waste your energy on worries and stress. Don't let anxiety steal your joy. We don't know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. We know we can trust God's heart and God's Word. We become anxious when our focus is on the circumstances and/or the unknown, instead of the All-knowing, All-loving, All-powerful God. "To care is a virtue, but to foster cares is sin." (Muller)

Prayer: Father, thank You for being in control and for caring about me! Thank You for always loving me and listening to me! Whenever I have any anxious thoughts, please replace them with complete trust and calm confidence in You and with peace that only You can give. I want to let go of all my burdens and rest in You. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Whatever You Do

Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to our Lord Jesus Christ in every aspect and activity of our daily living. As Christ's followers, we represent Christ at all times--whatever we say and whatever we do. Every word and action must be done according to God's principles as though Jesus Himself were doing it. 

In essence, to live in the name of the Lord Jesus is to surrender all to Him/to His Lordship and to live as Jesus Christ's representatives (His ambassadors: 2 Cor. 5:20). Christ's Lordship of our lives changes not only our speech and conduct but also our attitudes and motives. Our attitudes become conscious reflections upon the will of Christ and our words & actions become words of praise and acts of thanksgiving to Christ. We desire to do it all for the glory of Christ. External rules, even when good, are not adequate for every situation; the "rule" (Lordship) of the indwelling Christ is the only sufficient guide. "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh...if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." (Galatians 5:16, 18)

"Eucharisteo" (the Greek word for giving thanks) is a word that at its root (eu = good + charis = grace) means to acknowledge how good grace is and describes a person who depends on God's grace every moment. Here in Colossians, Paul uses the present tense. We are to have a continual attitude of gratitude, which is to be our lifestyle and our response to circumstances which God allows in our lives. The only way to accomplish this is by relying upon the filling/empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are to be thankful to God always...to give thanks to God in all circumstances through Christ (whose sacrificial death tore the veil that separated us from God the Father, thus making it possible for us to render our prayers and praises). Remember that fear and anxiety cannot reign in a heart that is full of faith and gratitude. 

To ponder: What impression do people have of Christ when they talk or interact with us or when they read our posts/comments? Do we need to make any changes in our lives in order to honor Christ and represent Him accurately? Do we remember to give thanks to God in everything/in all circumstances, including in the midst of a crisis?

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for Who You are and for all You have done! I am forever grateful for Your amazing saving grace and for Your inexhaustible sustaining grace! May everything I say and do be pleasing to You and be according to Your will. Please help me to be faithful in all things, little and great alike. May my words, attitudes, actions, and reaction/responses to any crisis reflect Christ in me, honor You, and point others to You. May my life be a continual praise song to You and for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

God Meets All Our Needs

After Paul thanked the Philippian Christians for their gifts and generosity, he assured them that God will take care of all their needs (not wants, desires, or luxuries). This is a promise to those who are faithful and devoted in their giving to God and His kingdom. "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." (Proverbs 19:17) Often God meets His children's needs by using us to meet one another's needs. We are to be cheerful, generous givers and not worry about our own needs because God's got our back. 

God is omnipotent. He has unlimited power and resources. Our needs can never exhaust His supply. We lack nothing when we have God. There is no end to His goodness and no limit to His power. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20)

God is omniscient. He knows His children perfectly. He knows all our thoughts, needs, fears, troubles, and sufferings. Jehovah Jireh ("The Lord Will Provide") is faithful and pleased to provide for His children who honor Him and depend on Him. When children of God walk in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, they will have their needs met. Look to Him for whatever you need and leave Him to judge whether it will be best for you and whether this is the best time for you to have it. If it is, He will give it to you. God delights to bless us. He blesses us so that we may be a blessing to others. "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8).

God is omnipresent. He gives us the gift of His presence. The Great I Am is with us every moment. Whatever we need, He is! "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present Help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) 

Paul was not preaching the prosperity gospel here. Paul was saying, in essence, that he could not repay the Philippians but God could and would meet their needs. We don't have to fear or worry. We can be content. Why? Because our God will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches (infinite) in Christ Jesus (through our spiritual union with Christ)! This truth should bring us confidence, comfort, and joy. In Christ Jesus, God gives us sufficient grace to meet whatever we face. If we live by faith in this precious promise of God's future grace, we will not be consumed with anxiety or greed. By the way, He already provided for our greatest need, the need for a substitute to pay the penalty for our sin and die in our place. He provided His one and only Son, Jesus Christ! "If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" (M.E. Howard) God loves us and He will provide for what we need when we need it.

"God's riches fill up our supply,
Whatever we may need,
So we can then be generous
And not controlled by greed." (Sper)

Prayer: Father, thank You for always meeting all my needs! Thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life! Please enable me to trust You wholeheartedly. Please help me be a blessing to others, a cheerful, generous giver, and a humble, faithful servant. Please show me the needs of those around me and the needs around the world and direct me how to meet those needs. Please help me use resources You've given me wisely according to Your will for Your glory and Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen. 

First Importance

Paul states the utmost importance of Christ's death (for our sins), burial, resurrection, (and appearances...in verses 5-8). These things make up the Good News. If there was no resurrection, the Gospel would be void of real content/significance and our faith would be useless/meaningless.


Christ's resurrection is pivotal; it's the center/cornerstone of the Christian faith! It confirms His claims to deity (what He said/promised is true) and guarantees the future bodily resurrection unto eternal life of all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Jesus is alive; He didn't stay dead. All the founders/leaders of other religions are dead. Only Jesus has victory over death, demonstrating that He has power over all things. His resurrection is a provable historical fact. We, Christ's followers, serve a risen Savior, a living Lord! Some day, all will see the living proof when Christ returns.

Christ's resurrection is the one most crucial and best established fact in all history. Without resurrection, there is no Christianity, no salvation, no eternal life, and no hope. Without resurrection, life is left with mere emptiness and despair. Because He lives, we too shall live. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

“No one can remain neutral regarding Jesus’ resurrection. The claim is too staggering, the event too earthshaking, the implications too significant and the matter too serious. We must either receive it or reject it as truth for us. To remain indifferent or undecided is to reject it.” (Mark Driscoll) Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God in human flesh, came to earth to live a sinless life, died in our place to save us sinners, and conquered death by His resurrection to give us eternal life. He did it all because He loves us so much. What will be your response to His love today? Life is short. Death is certain for everyone. I hope and pray that you will choose Christ now before it's too late. "I'm thinking about it" or "I will later when I'm ready" won't do you any good because it means that you decide against surrendering your life to Christ at this moment. There may never be another moment...

"I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" ~Jesus (John 11:25–26)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I praise You and thank You for dying for my sins and giving me eternal life in Heaven! You were the sacrificial Lamb who died to save me and You are the great Shepherd who lives to lead me. I am forever grateful. Please empower me to boldly share the Good News with those who need to hear.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"--Here the command to rejoice is repeated twice...one right after the other. Paul wanted to emphasize its importance. Joy is one of the distinct marks of authentic Christians. Joy (not the same as happiness) is independent of circumstances and is a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is not dampened by affliction because it's rooted in our relationship with Christ. We can rejoice even in the midst of our trials and persecutions (Paul was a great example) because we know Whom we trust and Whom we belong to. Joy persists and thrives in difficult times when we discern God's purposes and have deep-down confidence (fully trust) in His love, grace, goodness, faithfulness, sovereignty, power, and promises. We, God's children and heirs, always have reasons to rejoice since we are blessed with every spiritual blessing and are born again into a living hope of eternal life with an imperishable inheritance. And when Jesus is our joy, no one and nothing can take away our joy because Jesus cannot be taken away from us. Joy is constant because Jesus never changes. Rejoice in Jesus always! Joy is not found in circumstances or people but in the Person of Jesus Christ. We find joy in Who Christ is and what He has done. "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness." (Isaiah 61:10a) We find joy in His presence. "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) Perpetual joy is possible because of our spiritual union with Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. The indwelling Spirit gives us the desire and the power to obey the command; however, we must still make the choice to rejoice. 

Choose joy. We cannot control what will happen to us or what trials we will face but we can control our attitudes and reactions. No matter what happens, God is still Who He is and still in control and still loves us and cares about us. Therefore, we can choose to always trust in Him and rejoice in Him. He is our Lord. He is our Savior. He is our Strength. Let's choose joy and commit to walk in joy no matter what's going on around us. Let's look to God who is our Source of joy, instead of fretting over our situations. A heart that always sees God's goodness and praises Him cannot help but being joyful. Rejoice at God's Greatest Gift, Jesus Christ. Rejoice at His redeeming grace. Rejoice that you are forgiven and free. Rejoice that someday Christ will return.

"The secret of Christian joy is to believe what God says in His Word and act upon it. Faith that isn't based on the Word is not faith at all; it is presumption or superstition. Joy that isn't the result of faith is not joy at all; it is only a 'good feeling' that will soon disappear. Faith based on the Word will produce joy that will weather the storms of life." (Warren Wiersbe)

"Every Christian who is controlling his thought life will have a conscious joy; he will have a continual joy; he will have a conspicuous joy; and he will have a contagious joy, if he finds his joy in the Lord." (Adrian Rogers)

"Joy is not gush; joy is not jolliness. Joy is perfect acquiescence in God's will because the soul delights itself in God Himself." (H.W. Webb-Peploe)

Oh the sheer joy of it!

Walking with Thee,
Out on the hilltop,
Down by the sea,
Life is so wonderful,
Life is so free. 

(Ralph Spaulding Cushman)

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being with me giving me grace and mercy in all circumstances. I am so grateful for Your presence, goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty which bring me much comfort, confidence, peace, and joy. Please help me to keep my eyes on You. Please empower me to trust in You totally and choose gratitude & joy through any trials and uncertainties. Please make my life a joy to You & to others everyday. You're my Source of joy & strength! I rejoice and delight in You always. Shine Your light and love through me, Lord!

Fear Not: God Is Your Redeemer

"But now, this is what the Lord says--He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.'" (Isaiah 43:1-2)

Children of God, fear not! Here are 4 reasons God gives:
1. I have redeemed you
2. I have summoned you by name
3. You are Mine
4. I will be with you

Christ has redeemed us from sin and death. We have been set free to live for Him, not in fear but in Spirit and in love. Fear not!

God knows and calls each one of us by name. Each one is the special object of God's intimate affection. He knows what's best for us. Fear not!

We are His by creation, redemption, purchase, and choice. We are Christ's in all circumstances and for eternity. We belong to Him, Who is sovereign over all. Fear not!

God's presence makes all the difference in the world. He will never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what trial and storm we're going through, God is bigger than our storm and He is right here with us to bring us through it. He doesn't promise smooth sailing or deliverance out of difficulties but He promises to be with us in the midst of trials. Knowing that He is always with us and for us makes us bold and keeps us calm. The remedy for fear is firm faith in Jesus Christ and confident rest in His presence, protection, provision, love, wisdom, power, goodness, sufficiency, and faithfulness. When we remember that this life is not our own but is His and this world is not our home but Heaven is, why worry, why fear,...He is in control, He's got our back, and He can do whatever He is pleased with our lives. Jesus says in John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me." Fear not!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for redeeming me, calling me by name, being with me always! I belong to You, El Shaddai (the All-Sufficient One). I need not fear anything. Your faithful presence comforts me. Please enable me to live a faith-filled, fearless life.

"God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised, sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God has not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He has not told us, we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God has not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river, turbid and deep.

But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love!"
(Annie Flint)

Fear Not: God Goes With You

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be terrified. God does not want us to be afraid or alarmed; He wants us to trust in Him and find refuge in Him. We can rely and rest on God's promise that He will be with us wherever we go. The promise of God's constant presence is such a sweet assurance. God's presence makes all the difference in the world! It gives us comfort, courage, and confidence. God calls us to live courageously and fearlessly, knowing that He is with us at all times. We are emboldened by the promise and presence of God. God is all-sufficient!

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10) Be strong mentally and spiritually. Put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians 6:11-17). Be courageous = To be brave-hearted, not faint-hearted. The key to courage is knowing who God is...who the Source of true courage is! We know not what the future holds but we know Who holds the future. Remember...even when things are out of control, God is still always in control. When we're in tight places and it seems there's no way out, God will make a way for us. When we're flummoxed and flabbergasted, God is forever faithful. What we deem impossible, it's a piece of cake for God. True courage comes from fearing God, rather than men, trusting God totally, and acknowledging God's sovereignty. Are you discouraged by the world's events or by circumstances in your own life? Take heart and be of courage! "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b) Rely on God's grace, power, and strength. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. When God is pleased to work through us, nothing will be able to stop us. Don't give up and don't lose heart; God is here to help you and guide you. He who sends you will strengthen you. He who calls you will equip you.

Do not be afraid or terrified. In life, we face many problems, challenges, and difficulties but we need not fear any. God is greater than any giants (including COVID-19). God has never forsaken/abandoned those who seek Him and He never will. God is always present with us even when we don't feel His presence. We are never alone. Whenever God's Word says, "Do not be afraid", it often includes the promise of God's presence ("...For I am with you"). Such a caring & comforting promise! Do not be afraid; God's got this! To overcome fear, we must fully trust God and rest in His unfailing love for us. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) 

"He is with His people . . .
  as a Father--loving and holding communion with them; 
  as the Lord Almighty--having all power to help them; 
  as a Guide--to wisely lead them; 
  as an Advocate--to plead their cause; 
  as a Friend--to supply and comfort them; 
  as a Savior--to deliver and protect them; 
  as a holy, sin-hating God--to purify them!" (James Smith)

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for Your constant, comforting presence! Please give me strength, courage and boldness and take away any fear, worry, or discouragement so that I may obey You, serve You, and live for You with no compromise. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.