Daily Devotion: March 31

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

As a believer in Christ, it is typically easier for me to follow and trust in the Lord when the seas of life are calm and the winds are gentle and quiet.  Every day fellowship and walking with God is what prepares us for times like these when some are anxious and driven by fear. Daily abiding in Jesus allows the bearing of the fruit and a full harvest in difficult times.

 A connection with God is what establishes deeper roots of faith. When I realize the frailty of man and my personal ability, I tend to see Christ raising his hand to calm the winds and the waves at the beckoning of his disciples; you and I have that access with confidence that was afforded to us at the cross when the veil was torn, allowing us to enter into the Holy of Holies to ask for grace and mercy in this time of need.

There is a silver lining in all of this that we can see in the midst of uncertain times; families are spending more time together, we are re-evaluating what is important in life and disconnecting from what we thought important. The many idols such as entertainment and sports don’t mean as much to us anymore. We get to reflect on what’s important and what is eternal as opposed to the temporal things of life.

Noah was building the ark years before the flood waters came and he and his family took refuge in the ark. We get to reap the amazing benefit of walking with Christ and take shelter in the ark, who is Christ, and trust in His eventual deliverance. I am asked to trust in the Lord at all times and have the privilege of being encouraged in Him and abide in His peace.

The word tells us, not to be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, to let our request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I hope this is encouraging to you as it is to me.

QUESTIONS:

1. This may be a good time to reevaluate how you are abiding in Jesus. How can you abide more in Him?
2. Take a moment to reflect on those things that draw you away from the Lord and ask Him to shift your thoughts and heart towards Him and His peace.

FOR YOUR KIDS
Get to know your kids

1.  What animal would make a great driver?
2. If you had a pet dragon, what would you name it?
3. If you had to give everyone in the family new names, what would they be?

Devotional Questions

1. What are some things in your life that make you feel safe?   
2. What can you do when you start to feel worry? (Take this time to watch or rewatch Sunday’s kid’s video, “Jesus gives me peace”)

Have Fun
Play “Be Still!”

1. Grab a blanket 
2. Have your kids spread out and grab the edges of the blanket
3. When you (parent) say, “Rainstorm!” the kids raise and lower the blanket as fast as they can to make “waves.”
4. When you say, “Be still!” They have to pull the blanket tight and make it as flat and still as possible.
5. For added fun, turn your back on the kids during the rainstorm phase and they can take turns quickly switching sides by crawling under the blanket. When you say “Be still,” quickly turn around and whoever is still under the blanket and not in their place, is out of the game.