“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” – Matthew 6:25-26, 31-32
LIGHT FOR NOW: In spite and despite of situations, challenges and circumstances of life, joy is the fruit of the believer’s spirit.
We are admonished in the epistle of Paul to rejoice, rather than get anxious. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice”. The background of the church at Philippi was that it was established in the midst of persecutions and tribulations. This church is an example to us all.
• 2Corinthians 8:1-8 – They increased their giving even in their deep poverty. Apparently, there was no fear of lack or anxiety in their trouble.
2Corinthians 11:9 “And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself”. Philippi, a city in Macedonia was facing deep poverty and even in this condition, they ensured that this never affected their lifestyle. They were givers no matter the situation. Acts 16:24 “Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks”. Paul was put into jail for casting out demons. So his first experience in Philippi was tribulation.
• 1Peter 1:3-8 – Peter says that who you are in Christ does not immune you from manifold temptations and trials.
There are two realities, the realities of who we are in Christ and the realities of what we see in the world. However, Paul says you will still have to rejoice. There are realities that do not agree with your faith in Christ. But in all these, we are more than conquerors through him that loves us. The greater one lives inside of us; He is our father. So, we don’t give place to anxiety and worries. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Refuse to be anxious.
CONFESSION: Joy is the fruit of my spirit. I refuse to be anxious. I am a product of the faith of God, so faith is my natural environment, in Jesus name, Amen.
QUOTE: The word of God is the final authority for the believer, not challenges or situations.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 1PETER CHAPTER 1; EVENING: 1PETER CHAPTER 2
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 