Thought for the Week
“Be anxious for nothing, but in all things, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7
There’s a difference between petition and pretension. The first is the presentation of an urgently felt need, the second is the false claim that one knows in advance what the outcome should be.
Sadly, many believe the latter equals true faith. Yet the Apostle Paul directs us to put our faith not in outcomes, but in God himself. That’s why the above passage ends with the promise that, when we do, our peace will “transcend all understanding.” That is, whether or not we understand the outcome, we’ll know we’ve placed it where it belongs, with the One who does.
Even Jesus, in intense anxiety over what lay ahead, petitioned his Father to, if possible, “let this cup (of suffering) pass from me.” But then, sensing the answer was “no,” Jesus replied, “Yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
The outcome, had it been what Jesus requested, would have been ultimately disastrous for all humankind. Instead, it brought a peace that transcends all understanding not only to Jesus himself,…
But to all who’ve followed him ever since.
Mitch Teemley 
Amen.Hallelujah.🌹🙏
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It always helps to surrender, as everything will pass
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Trust is the key, no matter what! Great message, Mitch! God bless!
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Thanks, Nancy, you too!
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That’s an awesome thought, blessed to read this n wishper a word of God. Thanks for sharing. Amen 🙏
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My pleasure, Suma.
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Thank you, Mitch. I REALLY needed a reminder of this truth today. Saturday night, my husband took me to the hospital emergency room because I somehow reinjured an old neck and shoulder injury and was screaming in pain. They gave me an injection, but it made little difference. Today the pain is still very bad. I’m waiting for a call back from my doctor. Meanwhile, my husband just left for his 220 mile round trip drive for his radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Today’s treatment is #19 of 44 scheduled treatments, Monday through Friday. His final treatment will be June 15.
I need to be strong for him! Instead, I can barely function right now. I keep praying for God to take my pain and my husband’s cancer away. But our number one prayer is always: “We want Your will, Father. Whatever Your will may be.”
Too many Christians call that kind of praying a lack of faith. But Jesus taught us in the Lord’s prayer to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I don’t understand why God is allowing us to suffer these things right now. But I trust in His perfect wisdom, not in my limited understanding.
To my way of thinking, the greatest act of faith is trusting in God’s will, even when it hurts, and even when we don’t understand. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!
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Amen, Linda. Praying for you and your husband, dear sister.
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Amen Linda. I have been praying for you and your hubby. I didn’t know you had reinjured your neck and shoulder again. Injections do take time to work. Russ got his lumbar sacral injection last Thursday and he’s keeping his activities very limited so not to exacerbate the injury. I pray you’ll feel more agile soon. 🙏❤
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Thank you so much, Susan. I was going to send you a text, or better yet, a long overdue email. But I seemed to have used up my writing energy today on my comment here to Mitch. The injection I was given at the emergency room was just a shot of a Motrin pain reliever. I called my doctor today and she has ordered an MRI for my shoulder. Meanwhile, I have an appointment at the spine institute on May 27… which seems forever away!
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No worries Linda. I didn’t know they had Motrin shots. Even so that’s something my hubby can’t do. He’s allergic to ASA and NSAIDS. His inj was a steroid and he was not anesthetized. Ouch!….
Sending heartwarming love and prayers your way sis. ❤🙏
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I am so grateful for receiving this message this morning in Hawaii as I begin a new week. And although I rarely miss the Mainland, the picture did make me a bit wistful! God bless.
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Funny, I’ve visited Hawaii several times, and often miss its glorious vistas. Have a great week, my friend.
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This is most excellent…. tough to do but spot on!
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Amen!
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Love this, Mitch. 😊
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Well-written! Shared to FB. Blessings!
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Thank you, Anne. You too!
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Amen
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I often feel a bit called out by you, in the absolute best way possible. You get me reflecting and thinking. I so appreciate your wisdom and your artful presentation of it. Thank you for sharing.
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So glad it spoke to you, Flow (sorry, just realized I don’t know your name).
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I like Flow 🙂
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OK, Flow it is.
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We need to trust Him. We needn’t worry. The song has it right. “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Getting that message embeded deeply in my soul is a key purpose of my journey. May God bless that effort as well as your own journey, Mitch. Thanks for the reminder.
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Thank you, Robert.
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phillipians 4:09 is missing
anything that is great
to supply thy cares
upon thee
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That’s not what Philippians 4:9 says, Rudy.
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i refer to the verse between 7 & 9
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missing matt 26:51 said 39:14
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AMEN! Thanks for that timely reminder.
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This was really good. It makes so much sense and and is a good answer to possible misinterpretations.
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This is what I was praying about this morning, “And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Amen. I’m so thankful for His peace in this very distracting world. 🕊
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Excellent thoughts. Thank you
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Hi Mitch,
It’s all about trusting in the only stable one because nothing else is. He is our ever-present help in time of need.
In Christ,
Gary
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Such a timely message. Loved this!
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Amen… get content, make peace with the process
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Amen! We always need to pray according to the Lord’s will, just like Jesus did.
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Nice to see you again Mitch. Life’s been taking such unexpected turns, for many and I feel so strongly about wanting to help so many seeking answers….here’s a quick link to my first youtube live stream…please feel free to click only if you are comfortable….I just wanted to bless some of your followers who are going through a confusing time….I believe this is a word in season and will bless you and who ever watches and receives the prayer….be blessed….https://youtu.be/b6FtFAWhYpU
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“Put our faith not in outcomes, but in God himself. “ Greet words of wisdom, Mitch. Thanks!
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Thanks back, CG.
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you didn’t tag matthew 26:51 with verse 39 & lease 14
is matthew 26 the only chapter with verses 39 & 51
does that chapter has a verse 51
create thee a clean heart
fall unto the mountains of israel
i am the way the truth & the facts of life
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Pingback: Faith, Not Pretension | Restored Ministries Blog
Thank you sir
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