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“Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1 (NKJV).

What you focus on, you empower. Are you thinking about everything that could go right or are you thinking about everything that can go wrong? Consider the fact that after dying on the cross Jesus stripped the enemy of all authority and all power. He no longer has any right or authority to hurt or rob us unless we give it to him by choosing to walk in fear and sin rather than faith, and expecting bad things to happen.

It really is true to say that “we have nothing to fear except for fear itself.” We are those who have been redeemed from the curse and our Father’s plans for us are for good and not for evil. That’s not to say that life’s challenges don’t happen, but we don’t need to add sorrow to our own lives by believing for and fearing the worst.  As a man thinks so he is, and what we look at is what we become. Believe the best, expect the best, focus on the goodness of God. God is love, and perfect love casts out fear.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

Be  anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:8, 6-7 NKJV).

This devotion is the property of Breakthrough Prayer Ministry and is used with permission.

Questions: What are you focusing on? What are the things that you fear? What could you do in order to stop being anxious about things?

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.

“Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1 (NKJV).

What you focus on, you empower. Are you thinking about everything that could go right or are you thinking about everything that can go wrong? Consider the fact that after dying on the cross Jesus stripped the enemy of all authority and all power. He no longer has any right or authority to hurt or rob us unless we give it to him by choosing to walk in fear and sin rather than faith, and expecting bad things to happen.

It really is true to say that “we have nothing to fear except for fear itself.” We are those who have been redeemed from the curse and our Father’s plans for us are for good and not for evil. That’s not to say that life’s challenges don’t happen, but we don’t need to add sorrow to our own lives by believing for and fearing the worst.  As a man thinks so he is, and what we look at is what we become. Believe the best, expect the best, focus on the goodness of God. God is love, and perfect love casts out fear.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

Be  anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:8, 6-7 NKJV).

This devotion is the property of Breakthrough Prayer Ministry and is used with permission.

Questions: What are you focusing on? What are the things that you fear? What could you do in order to stop being anxious about things?

About the Author Emmie Stanley

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, What are you Focusing On?, read aloud today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Rosemary is a fragrant perennial shrub, and we can use its spicy leaves dried or fresh to flavor chicken, turkey, veal, or lamb.  I add this member of the mint family to the chicken and beef stews I make.  Its light blue flowers bloom in the spring.

In old-fashioned folk language, “rosemary” means remembrance.  Remembrance!  If we remember the right things, what blessing such remembrances can bring!

* “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).  How can we do that when we’re feeling low, depressed, troubled?  Philippians 4:6-8 gives us the answers, and these answers have never failed me.   It’s hard to rejoice in the Lord when trouble hits, and sometimes I’ve had to force myself to do it.  But as I sing and praise the Lord, God delivers!

* “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6) says, “but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  As we thank our Lord for past mercies and deliverance, our faith is restored, which is the greatest need we have in times of trouble.  After thanking and praising the Lord, I take whatever is troubling my heart and hold that person or thing up in my cupped hand to God.  “Take this, Lord,” I say, yielding it to Him, with all the care it (or he/she) has caused.  And He takes it–really!  And when He does, He actually changes my outlook and attitudes.  Trusting Him, I experience relief.  So can you.

* “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  Whenever I remember some of the many times Philippians 4:6 and 7 have worked for me and lifted me up, I can’t help but praise the Lord!  And if they have done that for me, I know they can do that for you, too!

* “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).  Every way of thinking on this list is worth remembering!  Our natural tendency is to dwell on negative things contrary to God’s Word.  Ephesians 4:30 tells us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, who gives us peace and joy.  Verse 31 cautions, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”  These attitudes and actions make us ill.  Remember this: God’s remedies heal!

Thank you Father God for reminding me today of Your ways. Help me to rejoice in You, to thank You and to give you all that troubles me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Questions: What are you anxious about today? Cup your hands and lift it to the Lord right now. What can you thank Him for right now?

About the Author Muriel Larson

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Gardening with a Two-Year Old, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things”  (Philippians 4:8).

“Speed Kills.” Or so says the billboard to encourage drivers to slow down. Thousand are killed every year on the nation’s highways due to excessive speed. But as I drove along and thought about the billboard message, I thought how speed can kill the body, but slowness can kill the soul.

Perhaps there is no more dangerous time for our spiritual life than when our brain is coasting, idling or in neutral. It is like going to sleep at night with the door unlocked. There is no telling what will sneak in and harm us.

Our most vulnerable moments are the unguarded ones, not the ones where we are focused on a mission and going ninety miles an hour with gusts to a hundred and twenty. What I think about in my unguarded moments reflects what my mind dwells upon and ultimately decides what kind of person I become.

I need to discipline and exercise my mind just as I do my body. If I fill my body with garbage then it turns to garbage. My mind is no different. What I dwell on in those neutral moments is a good gauge of what is in my heart. I need to be cautious and what I allow in my mind. The best way to exercise and guard my mind is to contemplate those things that are pure, lovely and of good repute.

I should not allow the world to fill my mind with ungodly thinking and focusing on the “things” of this world. The best way to keep the evil one and his devices from entering my mind is to guard its door with scripture and prayer and by focusing on that which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely and good.

The things I allow my mind to focus on will determine the way I live and if I focus on the evils and temptations of this world, I take down my guard and can be led into sin like a sheep to slaughter. If I fill my mind with the things of Christ, then I will become Christ like and if I fill my mind with the evils of this world then I become like the rest of the world.

Beware of neutral…. It’s a killer!

Lord, I know that whatever I fill my mind with is a matter of choice, my choice.  Please help me to be aware of those times when I am vulnerable and help me to guard my mind. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions: What do you think about in your unguarded moments? How can you guard your mind and keep it alert and ready for action?

About the Author John Grant

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Danger of Being in Neutral, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog