"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”  (Philippians 4:6)

The result of following the command above is stated in verse seven: “the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. What components in the command will assure the tranquil life God promises here?

Paul is certainly not encouraging laziness or the totally carefree life. Diligence to both our physical as well as spiritual life are necessary to our success. In caring for our daily needs God says: “if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) In building spiritual character we are instructed to “give all diligence”. (2 Peter 1:5) However, there is a kind of anxious care that robs us of our spiritual energy.  

So after all has been done on our part we are exhorted in all things to “pray”. “Prayer” is the first of three steps commanded here.  When used in the same context with words like “supplication” and “thanksgiving”, “prayer” may refer to the worshipful aspect of this triplet.  It seems to refer to a reverent, submissive frame of mind. It acknowledges that God's presence is our deepest joy, and extolling him is our greatest delight.  When our relationship with God means everything to us; it is difficult for the worldly cares to creep in.

And “supplication” implies a request. Certainly God covets our petitions. Here we are acknowledging our total dependence on him.  This is where we give to him our special petitions, and cast our cares on him. When such petitions are tempered by a prayerful, submissive state of mind, our cares are transformed from worldly aspirations to much more noble objects such as seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is how the peace of God guards our hearts.

When we are aware of what God has done for us; what he is doing for us; and what he will do for us, we cannot help but be thankful. We are encouraged to give thanks to God continually. When we are focusing on our blessings it is difficult to be distracted by anxious care. This is the perfect remedy for our anxiety.

The peace which God supplies is not merely a freedom from external troubles, but stems from a deep-seated harmony with God. God promises to guard our hearts through “prayer” which rests everything on him; through “supplication” which acknowledges our dependence on him; and by “thanksgiving” which recognizes the blessings from him.

By George Slover
 

Souls

" And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!"  Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself."  (Matthew 27:1-5)

The gospels record a tale of two souls.  Both of them – Peter and Judas- were among the disciples of Jesus.  While they share many similarities, the end of one is tragic and the end of the other is victory.

Consider the similarities of Peter and Judas.  Both were Apostles of Jesus and chosen by the Lord for that position.  It was predicted that both would deny Jesus before his death (Matthew 26: 21-25; 34,35).  Both of them did indeed fall as predicted (Matthew 26:47-49; 69-75).   Both Judas and Peter expressed sorrow for their fall.  However, the end result for each of these was different.

Judas, “seeing that he had been condemned” hung himself.  The tragedy of Judas is in his failure to believe in the power of Jesus to forgive.  Overcome with remorse, Judas tragically ended his life.  Many today (like Judas) come to the fatal conclusion that “my sin is too great for God to forgive”!  How awesome to think that the grace of God is wide enough to forgive the very one who betrayed his son!

Peter, acknowledged the potential of Jesus and accepted the forgiveness of the Savior.  He would later be among the disciples who witnessed the empty tomb of Jesus after his resurrection.  Peter along with a small band of loyalist would announce the resurrection of Jesus to the world!  Many years later this coward who had denied Jesus would write:  “If any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf”.  ( I Peter 4:16)

The difference between the two is faith.  So my friend where do you stand?

by George Slover

"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

The author of Hebrews has established his major premise. Now at the close of the letter he offers some final words of encouragement.  Among them are the words recorded in the verse above.

Every sacrifice offered to God is only acceptable through Jesus Christ. Those who accept Christ’s atonement for sin, are a holy priesthood able to offer spiritual sacrifices “acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (1 Peter 2:5) The blood of Christ is sufficient to purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14) What an undeserved honor!

We bring our offerings of praise to God because of his perfect glory and power. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) We come to the Lord with song because the Lord is God. (Psalm 100:2,3)  And we bless God for his goodness and benevolence. “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:12,13)

The most visible way to honor God is by the fruit of our lips. Such praise must spring from a heart full of gratitude. We must never allow our worship to become meaningless repetition. It must bring us closer to God and lift our hearts to heavenly things.

While there may be a prescribed time for communion (Acts 20:7), there is no specific time for praise. “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God. (Hebrews 13:15) Praise is not an occasional exercise, but an abiding attitude of our heart. We must cultivate a thankful and praise full spirit.

With such sacrifices God's well pleased. He graciously accepts our feeble attempts to honor him, and by them he is glorified.

By George Slover
 

"And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:23)

The 70 year captivity served a purpose in punishing Judah for her wickedness.  Yet, the captivity would prompt charges from the heathen nations that Jehovah was feeble.  Thus, God reveals a much nobler purpose in all of His working – i.e.  Jehovah’s name would be sanctified.  To accomplish this task we read of four things God would do for Judah.

"For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24)  He would remove them from heathen influences and give them the land.  God’s name is sanctified today by those who refuse to ally with the defilements of the world.  Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)  Such a change is a sign of genuine conversion.

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. (Ezekiel 36:25)  The law required the mixing of water with the ashes of a heifer for moral purification. (Num. 19:17-19)  Today, the sinner is cleansed by the blood of Jesus (Eph. 5:25-27) when he yields to the command of immersion in water. (I Pt. 3:20,21)  This is a necessary step to one’s being right with God.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)  God would remove the old unreceptive heart and give them a heart of flesh.  This Old Testament utterance anticipates one of the richest truths of the New Testament.  Folks sometime view salvation as purely a change of the soul’s destiny, but fail to see that real conversion involves a change in one’s nature.  By the power of the gospel, pride, and stubbornness are broken down.  The renewed heart is ready to receive the call of God.

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)  The renewed heart produces a new kind of walk.  It is manifested by a life devoted to keeping God’s judgments.  Peter says, “for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2) 

It is remarkable to find in Ezekiel’s prophecies an anticipation of the promises the New Covenant.  We are live by the gracious assurance that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

By George Slover
 

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds, the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:26,27)

In Moses' final address to Israel he bursts forth in admiration of Jehovah’s excellency and care for his people. Here, the leader of Israel uses imagery which vividly describes the power and providence of God.

Without question Israel's source of greatness is God. It is through him they enjoy security, prosperity, and victory. Who is like the God of Jeshurun?  There is none like him. He is an eternal, self existing, unchanging God. There is no other to compare to him. Of all people of the world he has entered into a covenant relationship with Israel. 

In the glory of his Majesty he is over all. Like a king in his chariot he rides upon the clouds watching over his people. What is true for Israel is true for every individual. His every decree and law has us in mind. He thinks and plans for no other reason than for our advantage; namely our redemption.

This “Eternal Rock” provides safety and shelter from the storms of life. With his might he holds Israel in his everlasting arms. Jehovah never gets tired. He is always there for his people. 

How incredible the thought that this eternal God would provide such care for weak and sinful people. Why is it so difficult for some to accept the reality of such a God? Perhaps it is because so many fail in habitually cultivating a relationship with him, and to remind themselves of his daily presence.

The Bible is a story of an infinite, almighty, righteous, all- wise God who revealed himself to bring back to himself a people, and to save them from sin, and give them an everlasting fellowship. Do you know the God of Israel? Why not begin today?

By George Slover