I talk often about God providing for all our needs, (Philippians 4:13). That reminds me of the song, Jehovah – Jireh
” Jehovah-Jireh, my provider. His grace is sufficient for me, for me, for me.”
This past weekend as my family celebrated my daughter's 10th birthday, I had a chance to stand back and reflect on the showers of blessings that God has sent my way. The song “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” also comes to mind
“Morning by morning new mercies I see, all I have needed thy hand hath provided, great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.”
When I focus on all the things God has provided and when I focus on the Lord, period, there is peace. On the contrary, when I focus on things of the world, I get frustrated and depressed.The world to me, is a very complicated place that I often do not understand, but when I focus on God, there is peace.
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Jesus often spoke of His reason for coming to Earth, to show God's love and so that everyone might have life abundantly.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (KJV)
The more I focus on God and less on the world, the more peaceful my life is.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 15:18 (NIV)
As I look upon my family, my loving husband, my children and the church God has provided, I am grateful. I realize God is surrounding me with all I need to continually stay encouraged and positive so that I do not lose heart and give up in this crazy mixed up world. He is constantly giving me His peace and reminding me that He is here with me. I need that constant reassurance. I think we all do.
Here's an experiment you might want to try in your home. We are home-schoolers and we have found that when we listen to Christian music throughout the day, our day tends to go better. Everyone is much more at peace, calmer, quieter and more cooperative when the Christian music is playing in the background? Why do you think this is so? Well, I've thought about that and my thoughts are that the more you surround yourself with things of Christ, the more that becomes part of your thinking, your heart and your life. I'm learning. Come to Jesus. Rest in Him. Find peace in Him. Surround yourself with Him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
Let me encourage you to continually spend time in God's Word and in prayer. Listen to Christian music and daily fill your minds with everything you can that will remind you of God's love. He is our peace.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Amy, Its amazing how much Christian music we hear on the radio. Only a few years ago when I began my first clumsy steps with God, I began to notice that we are getting lots of Christian music on the radio, and have been getting is for a long time. Music that I have heard before now has a really strong meaning, now that I know its God talking. I choke everytime I hear “Telephone Line” by ELO. Especially at the end when no one answers and he said “OK so no one’s answering/let it ring for ever more” RW