Instructions from prison

Paul gave the church some basic instructions for difficult days.  Here they are.  Weave these verses into the fabric of your life and your days will be lived with a focus on God, not a focus on man.  When we focus on God peace comes. When we focus on man fear, confusion and worry are the results and so Paul writes,

"Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done. 

 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.

And now, dear brothers and sisters,

one final thing.

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."

These words come from Philippians 4.  Written to a church while Paul himself was in prison.  Words of hope and focus when it seems the world is falling apart.  In truth, when we live man centered lives fear is unavoidable.  But, if we take a moment and remember who is in charge, when we live God focused peace overwhelms us....even when we find ourselves in prison.