BIBLE READING PLAN WEEK 5
EXITING OUR HEARTS
DAY 4
In our readings this week, we’re focusing on the key idea from Exodus 7: “A hard heart will always lead to a hard life away from a gentle God.” Today, we will read from Philippians 4.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: It’s been said that in the midst of troubles, we get better or bitter. You might say our hearts become harder or softer. How do you “guard your heart”? You take every situation to God in prayer.- What do situation do you need to take to God in prayer today?
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Reflection: Yesterday we read of the importance of humility and repentance in keeping our hearts soft. Today, in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we read of other ways to “guard your heart” (vs 7). The church in Philippi is facing many troubles both in persecution from the outside and division amongst the church themselves. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that in verses 2-3 Paul has to publicly confront a division amongst two members! Maybe you are facing troubles in lots of areas of your life, too? How can you stay soft hearted? The questions below will help you find in Phillipians 4 a way forward for today.- Read verses 4-13 again and pick out the ways Paul encourages them to stand firm in the Lord.
- Pick one of those to live out today.
- How will you live it out? What might stop you? What difference do you think it will make in your life to practice it?
- Ask God for His help in your desire to live that out.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is the number one thing in the world that stresses you out? Is it taking tests at school? Is it performing well on your sports team? It can be all kinds of different things, because there are SO many things that can stress us out! And with all of these things, how can we possibly deal with all of the stress? Well, in our Bible reading today, God tells us “hey, chill out. I got this”. He tells us that through prayer, we can give these stresses to God, and stop worrying about them so much. All our job is, is to do our best, and let God handle the rest. Now, does this mean that if you pray to God before a big test, that he’ll automatically give you an 100%? Of course not! Does it mean that God will give you superhuman speed to win the championship in your sport? Probably not! But it does mean that if we give it our all, God will take care of what we can’t control, and what we shouldn’t be stressing about. So next time you’re stressed about that test, or that game, or that thing that stresses you out, pray to God about it for peace, and let Him handle what you can’t control.- What gives you the most stress in your life?
- Have you ever prayed about something that stressed you out? What happened?
- What can we pray about today to give up to God and let Him handle it?
Focus Verse: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Devotional:
Yesterday we read of the importance of humility and repentance in keeping our hearts soft. Today, in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we read of other ways to “guard your heart.” The church in Philippi is facing many troubles both in persecution from the outside and division amongst the church themselves. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that in verses 2-3 Paul has to publicly confront a division amongst two members! Maybe you are facing troubles in lots of areas of your life, too? How can you stay soft hearted? The questions below will help you find in Phillipians 4 a way forward for today.
- Read verses 4-13 again and pick out the ways Paul encourages them to stand firm in the Lord.
- Pick one of those to live out today.
- How will you live it out? What might stop you? What difference do you think it will make in your life to practice it?
- Ask God for his help in your desire to live that out.
Focus Verse: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Devotional:
Yesterday we read of the importance of humility and repentance in keeping our hearts soft. Today, in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we read of other ways to “guard your heart.” The church in Philippi is facing many troubles both in persecution from the outside and division amongst the church themselves. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that in verses 2-3 Paul has to publicly confront a division amongst two members! Maybe you are facing troubles in lots of areas of your life, too? How can you stay soft hearted? The questions below will help you find in Phillipians 4 a way forward for today.
- Read verses 4-13 again and pick out the ways Paul encourages them to stand firm in the Lord.
- Pick one of those to live out today.
- How will you live it out? What might stop you? What difference do you think it will make in your life to practice it?
- Ask God for his help in your desire to live that out.
