2025-12-03
Philippians 4:7 NIV
No matter what problems you’re grappling with, it’s good to know that the peace of God “which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and… minds in Christ Jesus.”
Author Lorie Newman said: “For me, that peace came when my husband lost his job… We were a one-income family with seven children, a mortgage, [and] bills. Would we lose our house? How could we feed our large family? These questions fogged my mind like suffocating smoke. But, in the midst of it, God tenderly spoke life into my worried heart… Unemployment remained. In fact, it remained for nearly two years.
But day-by-day, step-by-step, the truth of God’s Word began to eclipse the despair and I had incredible peace! God’s Word came alive as never before as I navigated the turbulent waters of that rough season of life. I had read that God was my provider, but I began to know and experience him as my provider! What should have been a time of horrific stress… became a place of peace.”
When problems arise, our natural inclination is to panic. When we do that, we open the door for the Enemy to come in, get us off track, and make us feel victimized. Take these words of Jesus to heart: “My [own] peace I now give… you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed… do not permit yourselves to be fearful and… unsettled.]” (John 14:27 AMPC).
Soul food: Josh 22-24; John 16:19-33; Ps 147:1-11; Prov 29:1-5
2025-11-18
Colossians 3:15 NLT
How much peace do you display? How well do you respond to the difficulties in your workplace? Are you always tense or complaining? Is your desk neat and organized, or are there huge piles of paper all around? Disorder can be mentally unsettling and stress inducing, and wear down your peace. What about your overall behaviour; are you always fuming over coworkers’ mistakes? Have you learned to stop sweating the small stuff? Have you stopped to think about what a poor testimony it is not to reflect peace, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit? “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
What about your daily drive to work? Do you sit down in your car with the aim of keeping a peaceful atmosphere no matter the circumstances you encounter on the road? When was the last time you prayed for a bad or unkind driver? Do you play calming music? The right music can be an excellent source of peace.
When King Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, his servants told him, “Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again” (1 Samuel 16:16 NLT). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). That means wherever you go, you can take the peace of God with you.
Soul food: 2 Chr 22-24; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Prov 27:7-9
2023-03-17
Psalm 51:7 NIV
Do you remember when most restaurants had opening and closing hours? It was their schedule, and not your appetite, that decided whether you ate or went hungry. Not anymore: now you can pop into many of your favourite eating places anytime your appetite hits. That’s how God operates; He is available 24/7. And although praying isn’t limited to set times, there are certain times when it’s vital that you talk to God.
Here are two: (1) When you have sinned. Your emotions of guilt and shame, plus Satan “the accuser,” will tell you to avoid God. But turning to Him is the only solution to sin. Burdened by adultery, deception, and murder, David realised he needed to confess his sin to God. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow… Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (vv. 7, 10 NIV). John said God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). Have you sinned? A fresh beginning is only a prayer away.
(2) When you’re worried and afraid. You don’t have to look too far to find things to worry about; they’re all around you. Financial, professional, health, and family concerns can make you stressed-out and anxious. Where to turn? Prayer is God’s answer to fear and anxiety. “Don’t worry over anything whatever… tell God every detail of your needs in thankful prayer, and the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds” (Philippians 4:6-7 PHPS).
Soul food: Job 1-4; Luke 18:1-17; Ps 11; Prov 8:4-5
2023-03-01
Proverbs 14:17 NIV
You overslept, the car wouldn’t start, you were late for work, your computer crashed! These things can make you angry, but only if you let them. Solomon said, “A quick-tempered person does foolish things,” so if you fly into a rage, expect a rough landing! The Bible says, “Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city” (Proverbs 16:32 NCV). Anger always comes back to bite you and ends up doing more damage than the thing that triggered it.
David said, “Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar” (See Psalm 5:3). Start by offering your day to God, then you will be less likely to react in anger when things go wrong.
One pastor writes: “Our time here is short. What a shame to let something that happened – twenty years or twenty minutes ago – ruin your day. I’ve made up my mind to enjoy every single one. I may make mistakes; things may not go my way. I may be disappointed, but I’m going to live my life happy. I’m not going to let what does or doesn’t happen steal my joy. Every morning I say, ‘Father, this is going to be a great day. I thank you that I have discipline, self-control; that I make good decisions. I may not have done what I could have yesterday, but that day is gone. I’m going to do better today.”
Ever wonder why a car’s windshield is big and its rearview mirror small? Because what’s behind isn’t nearly as important as what’s ahead. So keep looking ahead, and no matter what happens today, don’t lose your peace.
Soul food: Exo 10-12; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 66:1-12;
Prov 6:20-22
2022-12-08
Jeremiah 31:26 NKJV
Sometimes the most “spiritual” thing you can do is get to bed earlier and wake up refreshed so you’re ready to fulfill God’s purposes for the day. When you constantly run on low battery power, it shows up in your attitudes, your relationships, your performance, and your health. That’s why the Bible talks about the importance of sleep: (1) “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT). (2) “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe” (Psalm 4:8 NLT).
Sleep is an act of trust: When you go to sleep, you acknowledge that the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well, even if you’re not awake to control things. And when you awaken tomorrow morning, just like God giving Israel fresh manna, He will give you what you need for the day. Jeremiah said, “I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me.”
Have you ever tried to pray when you were suffering from a sleep deficit? It’s hard to do. Before Elijah was able to spend prolonged time in prayer, the angel of the Lord made him take not one, but two long naps. Contrast that with the disciples in Gethsemane who couldn’t pray because they kept falling asleep. It’s hard to think, feel, and act like Jesus when you lack sleep. That’s why the Bible says, “God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT).
Soul food: Josh 8:30-10:43; John 14:15-25; Ps 147:1-11; Prov 29:1-5
