A Thankful, Peaceful Mind

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: Colossians 2:6-7

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Memory verse: Psalm 42:2(New American Bible )

"My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I enter and see the face of God?"

Today's reading: Ezekiel 24-26 1 Peter 2

A Thankful, Peaceful Mind

One day of late, I walked out of the house early to take my grandson to school and felt it all. It was the coolest morning of the season so far with no cloud in sight and I said, "What a beautiful morning" and my grandson said the same. It was what I thought to be a perfect work of God.

But what if it had been drizzling mist and 'nasty'? How would I have felt about it? Would I have thought it was a 'perfect work of God'? It would have been. Every day is a perfect work of God. God does no less. He can't. He doesn't.

There is a place where God wants us to think. That place is the place where our minds are not weighed down by anxieties and hampered by worries.

All our concerns-the bills-the mending of relationships-the hardships of our loved ones-our own pains-they are all, after all, real.

So how do we get in that place in our minds where we bless and thank God for all of His perfect ways?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV)

18 "...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Ephesians 5:20 (ESV)

20 "...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Both of these verses are preceded by instructions:

1 Thessalonians 5:16&17, "Be joyful always, pray without ceasing-(can you hear the Holy Spirit say and then you can "be thankful always"?)

Ephesians 5:18&19 "...be filled with the Spirit...and make music from your heart to the Lord".

Please don't think I am suggesting your being blind to what has to be dealt with in your life. There is no way I can know your pressures. But God knows it all and He is the one who 'rides in the desert'(above the trouble-Psalm 68:4/GW).

God wants us to learn how to train our hearts and minds to 'enter His Sabbath rest'(Hebrews 4:9) and live our lives there.

Hearts and minds with the strength of His joy as our governor.

Isaiah 60:17-"...I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler."

No matter what the day may be-rain or shine-good or bad, we must remember this:

Isaiah 60:2"...But the Lord dawns,

and his glory appears over you."

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Your name is glory and perfect peace and rest in Your kingdom. Give me the bread of a peaceful mind and heart today in Your Spirit. Forgive me for worrying. Lead

me away from fear.

Perfect God of all green pastures and still waters,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen