“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.7.NLT

It’s a challenge to focus on the right things at the right times on any given day. Distractions, competing agendas, and the constant bombardment of streaming information from technology penetrates the ability to stay focused.

Some days I feel like life is one big game of “squirrel” and I am the helpless dog running everywhere and accomplishing nothing. There’s no peace in that style of existence.

In Paul’s writing to the church in Philippi, he encourages them to focus on the right things in their lives. He asks them to settle their differences, be full of joy in the Lord, be considerate, don’t worry, pray about everything, tell God what they need, and thank Him for all He has done.

When we as followers are also doing these things, God’s peace enters our experience. We become aligned with God and His ways. We experience His rhythm moving through our lives. It is beyond understanding. We know when we experience it, but we can’t fully put it into words.

The good news doesn’t stop there. The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. What a relief to know that God’s peace is the source of guarding my innermost thoughts and character.

Paul continues with incredible words of focus: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me−everything you hear from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NLT 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Paul’s words. Your peace requires us coming into alignment with You by our focus on the right things. Thank You for guarding our hearts and minds. Thank You for exchanging our worry for powerful intercession with You. Thank You for focusing us in the right direction. 

Please help us today, to focus on Your priorities in our lives. The blessing of this kind of focus is Your peace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

-Ed McDowell, Executive Director
Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center