Philippians 4:1-9

Personal Notes:
Looks like Carole and Peter are working their way back to the States. WOW!! This must have been an unbelievable time in their walk with God. To go from no funds to go, to having the trip fully paid for, and then all the opportunities to share Christ and pass out Spanish NTs - and the shoes, can't forget the shoes! I've poured over their blog each time they updated it, feeling such a part of their venture. Mine was not to go, but to pray for them, their safety and for opportunities, and God has overwhelmingly blessed. I'm anxious about their crossing the border, but I as they, are confident that the God who brought them there, will keep them safe - no better place to be than the "palm of His hand."
Overview:
Stand firm in the Lord. Paul asks two women who were active followers of Jesus to "agree in the Lord" - and for those around them to help them. Getting along is so important because others are watching (v 4), and we don't have time to waste - the Lord is "at hand." Pray and make your requests known to God, and His peace, His shalom, will fill you in a way you can't explain (surpasses all understanding), and will guard your hearts from anxious fears - fixing your eyes on Him. Think about good, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable things - anything that is worthy of praise, think about these things - not the troubles you are going through or anything else that is holding your mind captive. Practice, Practice, PRACTICE the principles you are learning from God's Word (v.9), then ...God's shalom "will be with you."
Application:
Did I need to hear that from God today or what?! Today is the launch day for the webpage I've been working on for our church. I went to bed about 3:30AM last night, putting the finishing touches on "my" (I know it's God's, but I'm its caretaker) baby. But I'm so new and fearful there may be a glitch when I upload it that I was frozen in my fears. This is the easy part, the work has been done. But I had let Satan overtake my thoughts: "What if... happens?! What if....it's not as good as you think it is? What if...."
But then my loving, encouraging heavenly Father embraces me and says: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." As tears run down my cheeks (typical, right?!), I am filled with such love to my God who knew just what I needed to hear this morning. What if... what if I had been foolish enough to begin my day without Him?! I would have missed so much!!
Satan, "My God is going to take care of all the "what ifs...." - He has filled me with His overflowing peace."