Hello Advent Family,

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and your mind is racing?  Last night I had that experience.  I was convinced I had forgotten something important.  I just forgot what it was.  I got up and double checked the doors.  They were locked.  I made sure I didn’t leave the oven on when I cooked a late night snack.  Yep I turned it off.  I didn’t forget and leave one of the dogs in the backyard.  The dishwasher had been run.  I grabbed a glass of water and went back to bed.  My mind kept racing though.  I find in times like that I need to pray.  Sometimes when my mind is racing because I just need to slow down and spend some time with God.  It must have worked because before long I was asleep again.  The Bible speaks about the peace that comes over us when we go to God in prayer and remind ourselves of the truth.  Let’s look at one such passage from Philippians 4.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

When I got up this morning I remembered what I forgot.  Well not so much remembered as found out.  My glasses were sitting on the edge of the shower where I left them right before I went to bed.  I forgot them there and something in my mind triggered me that I had forgotten something but I couldn’t remember what it was.  That is often the case when our minds race.  A simple little thing like forgotten glasses becomes much worse and more intense in our minds.  When we take the time to slow down and pray God grants us His peace.  Slow down and give and worries you have to God today.  May His peace fill you and may you rest in the truth that He and He alone is in control.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave