Wednesday, February 28, 2018

March 1, 2018

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything." Philippians 4:5-6

You have probably known that person who can walk into a room filled with angst or tension and their presence immediately brings a calming effect.

By the same token, you may also know a person who can walk into a calm room and put the room on edge.

Which is most true of you?

In this verse Paul calls you to be contagiously calm Christian.

The Greek word used for "gentleness" is translated to describe a temperament that is seasoned and mature. It envisions an attitude that is fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. A contagiously calm person is steady, evenhanded and fair. It looks objectively and reasonably at the facts of a case. Such a person is antithetical to one who over-reacts or panics in most situations.


The Amplified Version renders it like this: "Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near."

Max Lucado puts it this way, "A contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others, 'God is in control.'"


The Bible reveals the Lord was always present with his people:

He was with Abram - "After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1

There is no doubt Abram had some low moments when he doubted if God was still with him. He panicked a time or two. But, in fact, God never did leave him or forsake him. And by the time Abram became Abraham he had become assured of God's presence and displayed a contagious calm.

He was with Hagar - "God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid;God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." Genesis 21:17-19

Hagar and Ishmael bore the brunt of one the panic-stricken moments in Abram's life. She was put out of the camp at Sara's demand and left to fend for herself and her infant son in the barren desert. There God sent His angel to remind her of His presence and provision. Imagine the calming effect that had!

He was with Isaac - "That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” Genesis 26:24

Isaac had witnessed God's faithfulness to his father, Abraham over the years and now God appeared to him with the calm assurance He would be with Isaac as well.

He was with Joshua - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Joshua was stepping into some pretty big shoes, er, sandals. He was being called by God to do what Moses had not been able to do - lead God's people into the Promised Land. So, before he took the job God spoke to Joshua to remind him and assure him that He would be near him every step of the way.


He was with the Psalmist - "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper.  I look in triumph on my enemies." Psalm 118:6–7

The Psalmist had a rolled coaster of emotions during his walk with God. He enjoyed numerous exhilarating moments with God but also a few deep and desperate lows when God seemed absent or distant.

Here are a couple of assurances given to ALL of God's people:

Jesus’ name "Immanuel" means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23 NIV).

At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus promised, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:20 NIV

How can I know this contagious calm these Bible heroes knew?

How can I live a life free of crippling anxiety?

Paul gives a clue in this verse! In his many stressful and anxious ministry moments he would hold onto this comforting fact, "The Lord is near!"

That powerful reminder of the Lord's presence calmed him in the deep, dark and damp prison or marooned on the high sea for nearly two days!

Do you need a calm that can become contagious?

Your gentleness will be the evidence you know the Lord is near!


Three Great Truths

"And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will.  And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans. For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory. What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?" Romans 8:26-32




A regal swan glides smoothly across the placid pond looking so calm. But just below the surface of the water his legs are moving frantically.

Is it possible to stay calm below the water as well as above it?

The Apostle gives three great truths that can have a calming effect on every believer.

First, trust God with your destiny. 

"For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory. What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?" 8:29-32

God and only God is able to guard and guarantee your future. As Paul said, "If God is for you who can be against you?"

Do you believe that?

If you do it will have a calming effect today and every day to come!

Second, you can trust God with your details!

"And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will." Romans 8:26-27

One of the things that can wear you down and derail you from your destiny is the daily grind. Life's everyday demands, difficulties and details can suck the joy out of you.

Paul reminds you that the Holy Spirit is committed to strengthen you in your everyday challenges. He can help overcome your problems and to prevail in your prayers!

Do you believe that?

If you do you will find and amazing calm that will get you through the grind.

Third, you can trust God with your detours.

"And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans." Romans 8:28

Bad things sometimes happen to good people. And to be perfectly honest, sometimes good things happen to bad people. So, with that said let's forget about trying to make things fair. Life certainly isn't fair!

In this verse Paul acknowledges that bad things happen to godly people. But the key to finding calm in your life is knowing God Who is Sovereign over your destiny and over your details is also in charge of the detours that seek to throw you off course and cause you to wonder away from God.

Paul reminds you that God is able to make "ALL THINGS" (bad things, unfair things, confusing things, senseless things and painful things) to end up being a net positive for you in ways that will astound you!

Do you believe that?

If you believe that God is sovereign over the details of your life you will find a calming presence sweep over your heart and mind.

As you begin this day will you:
  • Trust God with your destiny and find calm?
  • Trust God with your details of daily living and be calm?
  • Trust God with your detours knowing He is able to work them all together for your good! Be calm!