Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

You may have been meditating on some pretty weird stuff, but God wants us to focus on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. If we are really going to revolutionize the world, we’ve got to be different in our thinking. Shake off the heaviness and fear by focusing on who Jesus is and by renewing your mind in the Word. Here are some scriptures that will help you press past the mind-numbing attacks of the devil and remember that God is faithful. He will calm whatever storm you’re in and get you to the other side (Matthew 8:24-28).

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! Luke 12:24

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29 NKJV

Now is not the time to vacillate. It’s time to be intent on one purpose, with hearts and minds in one accord with the Master’s work. While the world is anxiously looking for answers, you carry the truth. Don’t shrink back but learn to abide under the shadow of the Most High, where you can rest and find strength and renewed confidence for the
journey (Psalm 91:1).

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

God wants you to come into His presence and enter into His rest. Through the battles of life, it’s important to press past the urge to back off from God’s plan (Galatians 6:9). You may be so overwhelmed with pressure that you don’t even feel like praying, but as you draw near to Him, He draws near to you (James 4:8). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep, has an inexhaustible supply of strength available for the weary.

Sometimes we need to sneak away to find moments with Jesus. We don’t always have the luxury of going to the shoreline or the mountains, but we can have interludes with God right here in the middle of our busy lives. Don’t underestimate the value of these moments in His presence; small adjustments to seek Him more will yield big results. Drawing near to God for even a few minutes a day can refresh, rejuvenate, and revitalize you for life’s journey.

God asks you to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him even at your meals, or when you are in company—the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud: He is nearer than we think. –Brother Lawrence, from “The Practice of the Presence of God”

Spending time with God is not an obligation or an option but an opportunity—it’s where you find the answers to every problem you are facing. Start your day with the Lord before you do anything else. Battles are won one step at a time. In the presence of God there is enough power to not only sustain you through the trials and rigors of life, but also fortify you to radically impact the world around you.

Draw Near,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:27-31

In these verses, the prophet Isaiah is rebuking those who say that God doesn’t care about them. The Creator, the Everlasting God, sees every detail of our lives. I know some of you ache from the pressure on you right now, but instead of thinking God doesn’t notice, draw close to Him to find the answers—He can meet every challenge. You’ll be drawing near to someone who never gets tired and never tires of your drawing near.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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

Nothing is complicated with God. You may be going through some difficult times, where you don’t know what to do, and don’t even have the energy to look like you know what to do. But as you lean into God, He will take your weary soul and give strength and grace for every situation. I’ve watched the grace of God pour out on my fatigue, my inexperience, my lack of perspective, and on my bad attitude.

As you draw near to God and wait on Him, He gives you the strength to win the battle even when things in life aren’t the way they should be. “The lame will take the plunder” means that God is able to give you victory even when you are wounded by life (Isaiah 33:23b). Remember, it’s not by your might or power but always by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). And by God’s Spirit you can receive more than enough strength, new strength, to not only fix your situation but transfer the message to others. Because people need Jesus and they need to know that He wants to help them with every detail of their lives.

God is able,

Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

 
Copyright © 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.