God is in Control - Regardless of Circumstances

As our fleshly, carnal appetites decrease, Christ in us increases. Negative emotions, such as: fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, etc., along with their companion of mental and physical illnesses, decrease in us as well.

We enter God's rest and feel fewer negative emotions. Any negative emotion that does surface is a red flag to draw our attention to some aspect of our life that is overwhelming us or an unresolved conflict.

These unresolved issues paralyze us with fear; they control our thoughts, words and deeds; and they cripple us for the work of the ministry and the quality of our relationships.

As we focus on the presenting emotion, listen to the words in our mind associated with that feeling, and ask God for wisdom concerning the issues causing the emotion, we can find solutions or turn the problems over to God to work out in His way and timing.

God's Word calms our troubled soul, energizes our spirit and empowers our body with health and vitality. We make wiser choices, form more spiritual friendships and enjoy more success in life.

Even if fears and insecurities dog our steps, we learn to trust God's consistent presence in our life. We speak our mind and make sure we have a voice in choices made that affect our life.

There is no reason to fear, because God is always with us. Discouragement holds no place in our life, because He gives us His strength and He helps us. He supports us with His mighty right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Prayer:
Father God, whenever we are afraid, remind us to put our trust in You (Psalm 56:3). There is no need for us to feel anxious about anything in this life, because through prayer and petition with gratitude in our heart for all You have already done for us, we can present our deepest and most frightening concerns to you (Philippians 4:6).

Then, Your peace, which transcends the issues of life, will guard our heart and our mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not the carnal, fleeting peace that the world gives, but the peace of Christ within us. We have no need to feel worried, afraid or upset about anything (John 14:27).

Thought for the Day:

Even when life careens out of our control and we fear for our future, we can still trust in our God who is always in control.

Praying in the Spirit

We follow God’s directive to witness to all the world by sharing what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes and what we read in God’s Word (Mark 16:15; 1 John 1:1). The Christ that we serve was God when He came in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). We have this Good News to share with anyone willing to listen. He allows us to experience a personal relationship with Him, which is deeper than any human relationship we could ever enjoy.

When Jesus returned to His rightful place in Heaven, God did not leave us as orphans, but came to us as the Holy Spirit. He calls us to repent of our sin and surrender our life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9). Even though unsaved people cannot fathom this wondrous relationship with the Spirit of God, it is always available to everyone who believes (John 14:16-17). He is the promised helper from Christ, the Spirit of truth, and He is with us and in us forever (John 14:16-17).

The Spirit fills us each new day by energizing our spirit (Ephesians 5:18). He leads us by His peace within (Philippians 4:7). Our prayers to God by the Spirit are powerful and effective (James 5:16-18). The Spirit gives us divine authority to demolish spiritual strongholds that arise up against the knowledge of God (Matthew 17:20; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). God leads us by His Spirit. He teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus said to us (John 14:26).

We always pray in the Spirit for everyone (Ephesians 6:18). We do not need eloquent words, long prayers or loud voices; we just use sincere words from our heart to God’s (Ecclesiastes 5:2; Mathew 6:7-8). We confess our sins and He faithfully and justly forgives us (1 John 1:9). We do not have to be anxious about anything, because when we petition God in prayer, giving thanks to Him for all He already did for us, He guards our soul and spirit and provides for all of our needs (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:6-7).

When we come to God, we have confidence, that if we ask anything according to His will and for the purpose of our service to Him, He always hears us (1 John 5:14-15). When we cry to the Lord, He brings us out of the storm and into His quiet place of refuge (Psalm 107:7-8). He heals the sick (John 9:30-32), heals wounded hearts (Psalm 147:3) and generously gives us wisdom as we come to Him in prayer (James 1:5). His Spirit helps us to pray even when we cannot form the words (Romans 8:26-27).

Prayer:

Father God, when we come to You in prayer, You put to flight the devil and his demons (Mark 9:29), You heal the sick (James 5:14-15) and You give us power over our enemies (Psalm 6:9-10). You have complete power over every person and every circumstance on the earth (Daniel 4:35). We have total confidence in You, because we are Your people and You are our God (Zechariah 13:9). Help us to keep our eyes on You, and You will keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

Thought for the Day:

Be alert to the Spirit within and always pray for one another. – Ephesians 6:18