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Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Pathway of Peace

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Charles Stanley

Philippians 4:6-7

All of us have responsibilities—whether regarding work, family, community, or church—and we may rightly feel some concern about how to carry out these commitments. When our natural cares get out of balance, the result is anxiety.

Though Paul faced an inordinate number of trials (2 Cor. 11:23-28), he was able to say, “Be anxious for nothing.” He understood that anxiety reveals a lack of faith—it’s not possible to be worried while fully trusting God. Fretfulness also takes a toll by draining energy and dividing the mind. Besides that, disproportionate apprehension prevents effective service to the Lord by keeping one’s focus self-centered rather than God-centered.

To keep concerns in balance, we must present our requests to God (Phil. 4:6), who is ready, willing, and totally sufficient to handle every care we bring Him. We do this by . . .

• Prayer. The Greek word implies worship and appreciation for God’s attributes, not some panicky thought tossed His way.

• Supplication. Our cry of humility conveys total helplessness and dependence upon almighty God.

• Thanksgiving. We are to approach God without blame or complaint, but with gratefulness that He will ultimately use the difficulty for our good, as He has promised (Rom. 8:28).

Philippians 4:7 says that when we bring God our requests in this way, the result will be His wonderful, inexplicable peace. Realizing this, we should learn to go to Him first—not as a last resort.

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Greg Laurie – For Just Such a Time

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“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” —Esther 4:14

I love the story of Esther because in some ways, it reminds me of a fairy tale, except it is true. Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl who was plucked from obscurity, won a beauty contest, and became the queen of the kingdom. Then there was a wicked man named Haman, who hatched a plot to have all of the Jews put to death. It was Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, who came to her and described the plight of her fellow Jews, saying, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Esther was the queen who saved a nation. She used her influence with the king, the plot was averted, and the people were saved. Then, in perfect poetic justice, Haman, the guy who hatched the plot, ended up hanging on the very gallows he had erected for others. She was there behind the scenes. Esther could have said, “I don’t want to jeopardize my position. No one will ever find out I am a Jew. I am going to be careful and play it safe.” But instead, she put everything on the line.

Who knows that God has not put you where you are right now for such a time as this? You may be the only Christian in your family or the only believer in your neighborhood. You may be the only follower of Jesus Christ in your workplace or in your classroom. Like Esther, will you stand up for such a time as this? Will you use your influence where you can, when you can?