Philippians 4:8

Your thoughts can hold you back, push you down, and feed you lies. But they can also lift you up! So, Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church, wrote down some truths he reads every day. Start reading to see how these words changed everything for him, and find three simple steps to discovering your own Words to Live By.

UJesu wathi, “Nginikhethile nina, nganibeka ukuba niphume, nithele izithelo, nezithelo zenu zihlale” (Joh. 15:16). Wathi futhi, “Ngaphandle kwami ningenze lutho” (Joh. 15:5). Ukuthela izithelo kungukuphila impilo ayiphilayo uJesu eselapha emhlabeni. Kuyagcizelelwa kulawa mavesi angenhla ukuthi lokho kungumyalo kaJesu nokuthi akhona amandla okuzithela izithelo. UPawulu usitshela ngezithelo eziyisishiyagalolunye ezivezwa uMoya oNgcwele kulabo abamvumeleyo behamba ngokukaMoya (Gal. 5:22, 23). Sizokhuluma kancane ngalezi zithelo. Masikhumbule ukuthi ngokwethu asinamandla okuzithela. Kepha ngamandla akhe singazithela.

Bestselling author Max Lucado explores God’s treatment plan for anxiety found in Philippians 4:4–8. As you follow this prescription – celebrating God’s goodness, asking for his help, leaving your concerns with him, and meditating on good things – you will experience God’s peace. While anxiety is a part of life, it doesn’t have to dominate your life. 

The letter Paul wrote to the church in Philippi has traveled across generations to nourish and challenge our hearts and minds today. This five-day devotional gives you a taste of the book of Philippians, many centuries from when God authored it through Paul. May God fill you with wonder and expectation as you read this letter of joy! Because these are not just Paul’s words to an ancient church—these are God’s words to you.