December 17, 2023 7:00 pm
For over thirty years, Lourdes, a voice teacher in Manila, had taught students face to face. When she was asked to conduct classes online, she was anxious. “I’m not good with computers,” she recounted. “My laptop is old, and I’m not familiar with video conferencing platforms.”
While it may seem a small thing to some, it was a real stressor for her. “I live alone, so there is no one to help,” she said. “I’m concerned that my students will quit, and I need the income.”
Before each class, Lourdes would pray for her laptop to work properly. “Philippians 4:5–6 was the wallpaper on my screen,” she said. “How I clung to those words.”
Paul exhorts us to not be anxious about anything, because “the Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5). God’s promise of His presence is ours to hold on to. As we rest in His nearness and commit everything to Him in prayer—both big and small—His peace “guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).
“God led me to websites about fixing computer glitches,” Lourdes said. “He also gave me patient students who understood my technological limitations.” God’s presence, help, and peace are ours to enjoy as we follow Him all the days of our life. We can say with confidence: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (v. 4).
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading titled, My God is Near, was written by Karen Huang. For more than 30 years, Lourdes, a voice teacher in Manila, had taught students face to face. When she was asked to conduct classes online, she was anxious. I'm not good with computers, she recounted.
My laptop is old, and I'm not familiar with video conferencing platforms. While it may seem a small thing to some, it was a real stressor for her. I live alone, so there's no one to help, she said.
I'm concerned that my students will quit, and I need the income. Before each class, Lourdes would pray for her laptop to work properly. Philippians 4, 5, and 6 was on the wallpaper of my screen, she said, how I clung to those words. Paul exhorts us not to be anxious about anything, because the Lord is near. God's promise of his presence is ours to hold on to. As we rest in his nearness and commit everything to him in prayer, both big and small, his peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God led me to websites about fixing computer glitches, Lourdes said.
He also gave me patient students who understood my technological limitations. God's presence, help, and peace are ours to enjoy as we seek to follow him all the days of our life. We can say with confidence, rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Philippians chapter 4 verses 4 through 7. Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Let's pray. Dear God, thank you for being near us. In the name of your loving presence, help, and peace, we don't have to be anxious. In times when we inevitably feel anxious, remind us of your presence and calm our hearts. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening today. My name is Brenna Holzclaw, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2023-12-17 20:18:33 / 2023-12-17 20:20:03 / 2
