Bible Study January 18, 2024
Philippians 4:4 – 7 (LSB)
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your considerate spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
For a Christian to be at peace their heart and mind must work together to produce that peace. What we desire comes from the heart and our actions come from our hands. But the problem is they must be working together to achieve a right outcome. If not the peace we are seeking will pass away from us.
How do we achieve that peace and harmony in our lives? Paul answers that question in verse six by saying “by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” Prayer is one thing but to do it with thanksgiving is yet another. Paul in a few verses later gives us the theme for on which our heart can settle all things in peace. It is found in verses eight and nine. “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
We can pray for peace and be at odds with others and find no peace. We must set our minds on resolving the conflict that exists to gain the joy we are seeking. We do that by a favorite expression of a former pastor and good friend – “you guard your heart.”
Guarding your heart is a heart decision.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 