Your Identity in Christ
Philippians 4:5-7
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.
Pondering Point
The discipline of journaling is purposely joined with our theme of the week: God’s encouragement NOT to worry about tomorrow. Although people mean well when they say, “don't worry” or “forget about it,” that doesn't make worrying go away. Journaling offers a practical method to handle worry by writing about it. As we follow directives in Philippians 4:4-7 to handle worry, we are encouraged toward “prayer and petition” that starts with thanksgiving. Let’s do so in this devoted time, giving thanks for blessings current and past and hoped-for peace that God speaks about in Philippians 4. God bless us this week as we handle real anxieties and seek real peace through the real work of God. Remember who you are in Jesus:
• In Christ, we are at peace of God and have access to a peace that transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds so that we do not have to be anxious about anything.
Journal Prompt:
Lord Jesus, I am thankful about…
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 32:8-11
- I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go;
I will counsel you
with my loving eye on you. - Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled
by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you. - Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him. - Rejoice in the LORD
and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Teaching or Command of God:
Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
1 John 5:20
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.
Pondering Point
Do not be like the horse or mule which have no understanding. What an unflattering analogy! It should give us pause to reconsider our attitude over His directives. Can God move you without the figurative “bit and bridle?”
Be Sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Micro-Group Moment:
Considering a life of VIGILANCE
as a case for participating in
Micro-Groups:
Vigilantes are known to act outside the law while taking matters into their own hands, and as such are often perceived negatively by the law enforcement community. But the trait of vigilance itself (part of the make-up of a vigilante) is quite positive and something God desires in His people.
To “keep vigil” – or be vigilant – is something Jesus sought out of His disciples. (see Mark 14:34). It is something Peter stresses when warning us about the attacks of the devil (1 Peter 5:8 quoted above).
Mark 14:32-34
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Vigilance
The quality of being alert and watchful
For Paul, it was equivalent to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15). In light of these verses, ponder these questions with a few Micro-Group Members:
- What are the risks of not staying vigilant as a Christian?
- What point is God trying to make about vigilance?
- What can happen when you…
o allow the devil a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:27)?
o forget he is an enemy looking to devour (1 Peter 5:8)?
o disregard that he wants to destroy you (John 10:10)?
Micro-group life is not always pretty. How does this next teaching from Jesus in Matthew 18:19-20 sound as you read about it in the context of a Micro-Group of Jesus followers?
Prayer Prompt
As is appropriate to your situation, thank God for your church family connections or ask Him to bring you into a church family through spiritual mentoring at Micro, Small and/or Large Group arenas.