Spend Time with God

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, . . . Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:15-16)
  Passage: Philippians 4:4-9

         In any athletic contest between two people or two teams, there is an umpire or referee who calls the game by the rules. As a believer in Jesus, you have two natures that are in a contest within you. The sin nature would have you live by your own rules without regard to the purposes of God. The Spirit nature wants you to live the life God designed for you to live and to be a reflection of Christ in this world. Paul admonishes us to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”.
        This is a command and not related to your feelings. The sin nature wants to let feelings of worry and anxiety rule over you. It would have you react negatively to circumstances and it does not want you to be a good witness for Christ. The fruit of the Spirit however, has the character of peace, which will enable you to respond to circumstances with faith and show the difference Jesus makes in a life. To let Him rule, you need to hear what He says and that is found through communion with God in His Word, in worship and in prayer. Spend time with God each day and let His peace be the umpire for your life.   

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)