Good morning people who put the right fuel into your mind.

There is a peace from God that is available to those who partner with God’s intention.

Philippians 4:6-8 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Firstly, Paul instructs us to pray in every situation rather than be anxious. And he tells us to pray with thanksgiving.

Secondly, Paul says that anxiety remains gone when we actively and intentionally think about “such” things.

What are these “such” things that we should think about in order to keep us free from anxiety?

Well, it’s not found in a lot of the TV and social media that some Christians feed on. Much of our intake induces anxiety, and then we ask God to remove it. Sometimes we need to “change the channel” in our lives if we want to live in the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Here’s Paul’s list of the nature of the things that we should think about:

Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – anything that is excellent or praiseworthy.

So, how much of your TV viewing and social media perusing are in harmony with this list?

If it is not, what steps are you going to take this week to change this?

God wants us to have peaceful minds, and He loves us enough to make it clear what we should be thinking about.

Good morning people who walk through anxiety with thankful prayer.

Philippians 4:6-8 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

These highlighted words are a great promise and something that all of us want as a daily reality: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

But this is not automatic. Being a Christian does not equate to this verse being a living reality. As with everything in the Bible, there are conditions. In fact, let me say it this way: God’s promises always come with conditions.

What are the keys that unlock this heart and mind guarding peace in our lives?

Firstly, Paul instructs us to pray in every situation rather than be anxious.

If you’re anything like me, you might believe that it’s impossible to not be anxious. While feelings, thoughts and even history might “prove” you right, the truth says otherwise. Again, using myself as an example, I have too often tried to think my way or feel my way out of anxiety, and herein lies my problem. I can’t!

Praying is the antidote to anxiety, but there is an essential component of praying that needs to be present: thanksgiving. Let’s be honest, when we are anxious, thanksgiving to God is the last thing we feel like doing. And maybe, that’s why it is so powerful! When we gives thanks to God in prayer, anxiety can’t rule!

We’ll look at the second key tomorrow, but for today, I’ll leave you with this question:

What are three things that you can give thanks to God for today?

Good morning people who meditate on and dwell in the goodness of God.

Great peace comes from loving God’s law, and nothing can make that person stumble (Psalm 119:165).

Perfect and constant peace comes to the one whose mind is fixed on God.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3 AMP You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

Our mind is steadfast when it is committed and focused on God. This is talking about looking at His face and being anchored to His character. Knowing who God is results in a peace that goes beyond understanding.

The more you know God, the more you will trust God. If your trust in God is low, your peace from God will be low. There is an undisputable connection between knowing God, trusting God and finding our peace in God.

Let me tell you a little more about our God.

Psalm 27:1 NIV The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 91:2 NIV I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 63:3 NIV Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Psalm 63:7-8 NIV Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

Our God is delightful and wonderful beyond measure.

Good morning people who absolutely love the precious Word of God.

Psalm 119:165 NIV Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

What a beautiful and powerful verse!

Do you want to have great peace?

Then be a person of God’s Word. Don’t just read it – occasionally or even frequently. Love it. Saturate yourself in it. Let it read you and change you. Find God in His Word. Commune with God in His Word. Pray His Word. Let His Word be life to you!

People stumble when they don’t live according to God’s Word. When we make choices that are different to God’s ways, peace cannot be the result.

Why?

Because we are violating what God has authored.

How much time do you spend in God’s Word each day?

How much time do you spend on social media or watching TV each day?

The answer to these two questions might just be the answer to why peace is evading you. It’s not about legalism. It is about what we are truly feeding on. While the length of time is not always an accurate measure of peace, the more time we spend in the Word of God, the more opportunity peace has to land on us.

I leave you with a simple challenge, and that is to double your time in God’s Word this week. If you say you don’t have time, I challenge you to turn off your social media and even your TV for an hour at night. You do have time my friends.

May you find Father deeper in the precious gift of His Word.

Good morning people who follow the example and life of Jesus.

Galatians 5:25 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The greatest enemy to walking in peace is a focus on ourselves.

Here’s the antidote (note how real and deep the challenges are in the following scripture):

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Even when faced with death on the cross, Jesus kept His primary focus on the joy set before Him, which in part was you and I being restored to relationship with the Father. Yes, He had great anguish of soul in the Garden of Gethsemane. Maybe it’s important to note that anguish of soul is not contrary to God’s peace. It’s difficult to explain, but it is something we should consider today.

Here’s what I do know:

Jesus was always fully in the Spirit.

Jesus was always submitted to the Father.

Jesus was always on mission to reconcile people to God.

Jesus always walked in peace.

Put another way, while Jesus had moments of wrestling with the enormity of going to the cross and He even prayed for another way if it was possible, He did both of these in conversation with His Father and a declaration, “Not My will but Yours be done.”

May we all learn from the life of Jesus. May we all walk with the Prince of Peace.