Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Shape Your Worries Into Prayers

I don't use The Message for serious Bible study, but I do enjoy looking up specific verses in it to get the "essence" of the verse in every day language. I thought the way Peterson worded this passage from Philippians 4 was great!

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Mark spoke at a real estate meeting this week, and as is common for the speakers to do (to help get his foot in the door for the meeting, I think), he offered to bring breakfast. Mark arranged with our sons' boss to do the food for the meeting, and our sons volunteered to do the serving (off the clock) to keep costs down. Their boss had already told us he would do the breakfast at a bargain rate as a favor to the boys (they are good employees :-) ) --- but after the meeting he wouldn't let Mark pay him --- said that it was his gift to help get the business going. Praise God, what an amazing gift!! Mark thought the meeting went well and felt the breakfast made a great impression --- it could help to position himself in the forefront of Realtor's minds and we hope will eventually bear fruit.

As I mentioned before, the kids needed clothes for their youth mission trip and it has been a matter of constant prayer for me. I went back to the clothing closet today and they helped me find some clothes for the kids! Praise God for his provision! The kids leave the day after tomorrow, so it was none too soon! The people at the clothing closet wouldn't let me pay, saying that my volunteering took care of that. So, God provided again in a terrific way.

Also, the kids are getting to do some work at church to pay off the balance of their trip. Every immediate concern I have has been met in some way.

Please pray that God will speak to us clearly about what we need to be doing right now. Thank you and God bless you!

Letting Christ displace worry....

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