Morning Devotional

Philippians 4:4-7  4 Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! 5 Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. 7 Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
       
As Thanksgiving week draws near and the end of our Church year approaches, I think it is appropriate to be reminded of what Paul said while in a Roman jail cell, "Be glad in the Lord always, again I say be glad... bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks," Paul in writing this when he did is reminding us with Christ our joy is not based upon happiness at that moment but a confident heart rooted in hope. A hope that remains with us because Jesus left us with the comforter, the Holy Spirit.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, deal with the chaos in the world and at times the disruptions of our church let us, God's people here at EOCC try Paul's approach to life;  “be glad in the Lord,” and “bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.” Let us not give up in frustration or hurt feelings but instead let the Holy Spirit shape our thoughts and feelings as well as your interactions with others. As you do this see if you don't find greater peace in everyday life and the start of our new year.

Almighty and Holy God. Thank you for the Word we find in our hearts reminding us the teachings of Your Son, Jesus. Father, help me see more clearly the good of what is going on around me. I admit that in the chaos and clutter of doing I sometimes lose focus on the blessing I have have. Lord, I pray for the Boards of this church; I pray for the leadership and all the volunteers that try to make this world a little better. Lord, as I prepare to enter the Advent season proclaiming the good news may I not forget to sit in the peace you brought. Father, may I through the Holy Spirit glorify Your name in how I love and treat all people. Father, I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen