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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
With what does God want us to fill our minds? Here is the answer in His Word – and we find it in Philippians Chapter 4and verses 4to 9 . Read them carefully.
Our thought life is so vitally important – what we think about – what we dwell on, and oh how we are assailed and attacked by the enemy. He will go for the heart and mind to rob us and undermine us and then attack even the body. How many are suffering the consequences of our society turning away from Jesus Christ and the Word of God as given us in the Bible – in government – in schools and universities – in the home and workplaces.
It is a big price to pay – as Mental Health issues increase rapidly causing serious distress in the lives of thousands.
In our schools there used to be regular Assemblies where the Bible was read and prayer was made. Most of us did not have much of a clue as to what all this was all about – but God did! He saw teachers and pupils expressing relying upon Him and He demonstrated care for those who prayed for help and protection and safety and guidance. Today, most of that has gone – and we are not very good at going along on our own – and no wonder – we were never meant to.
Paul moves on from meditation to imitation and again it takes a brave courageous godly man to write in these terms. And yet, God places His seal on these words, making them part of His word.
We model ourselves on other people – and there is nothing wrong with that – provided we choose the right ones.
Whatever – that is broad and wide – true – noble – right – pure – lovely – admirable – and covering so many areas. Then, he writes, put into practice.
The writer to the Hebrews gives us that list of those who lived by faith – those who had real living obedient faith – and we are to learn from them – but we are also told to fix our eyes on Jesus.
The God of peace shall be with you. He speaks earlier of the peace of God – now Paul writes that the God of peace shall be with you. God will be with you. We need to hear that. We need to be reminded of that. God will be with you.
The God of peace – even when we find it hard to receive and experience the peace of God? I raise that as a question.
‘Yes’ is my answer – when you are going through it – when times are sore and hard and tough – and you think God is a million miles from you – and the peace of God appears to be a far off memory – know that the God of peace can be near to strengthen you and see you through all arid, dry and challenging seasons.
“Lord God Almighty – You promise never to leave Your people – You promise to be with us even to the end of this age – be with each one of Your people no matter what the experiences might be at this particular time. As we read Your Word day by day, feed us and strengthen us and nourish us. We pause and pray, for those who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ – pastors and leaders and people – where disciples of Jesus are removed from their homes and imprisoned – where church buildings have been attacked and demolished – where houses have been destroyed. Hear our prayers, in Jesus Christ’s name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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