Embrace God's Word

6 Days

Day 4

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We are stepping into day four of our journey through From Anxiety to Intimacy. We talked about how we can combat anxiety through release and thanksgiving, and today, we see how we can embrace God’s Word.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

God wants to pour blessings into our lives, but we must be stilled by prayer. Our mind, with all of its worries, needs to be freed up so we can then replace it with better thoughts. We can choose to set our minds on lovely, beautiful, and commendable things in the midst of pain.

So, we challenge you to read Philippians 4:8 again and think about how to fill your mind with the Word of God.

Summary

Prayer frees us up to make good decisions. We can go from being captured by anxiety to being liberated by intimacy with God. We release our concerns in prayer with thanksgiving. One of the greatest things we can be grateful for is the ability to bring our requests to God. We aren't just emptying our minds. We release our concerns, but then we fill our minds with the character of God, who hears the prayers of His people.

Philippians 4:8 guides us in what we are to set our minds on. So, as we release our anxious thoughts, we embrace lovely thoughts.

What's true? What is commensurate with reality?

What's honorable? What is a respectful and dignified way to live?

What's just? What actions can I take to fulfill any obligation I may have with God and man?

What's pure? What is a work of art or music to be appreciated?

What is commendable? What is admirable enough to make sure the masses know about it?

What is an excellent thing worthy of praise?

Think about these things. Take them into account. Let them into your mind.

What's next?

Embrace God's Word. Write out Philippians 4. Slow down and set your mind on His Word, and see if it changes your demeanor. There's quality and beauty there if you have eyes to see it.

What did you notice in Philippians 4 that brought you a sense of peace?

Scripture References

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,”

the Lord answered,

“you are worried and upset about many things,

but few things are needed—or indeed only one.

Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

22Cast your cares on the

Lord

and he will sustain you;

he will never let

the righteous be shaken.

1There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ben Stuart

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.