THE SEED
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Philippians is sometimes called one of Paul’s “prison letters.” That’s because Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned, probably in Rome (see Philippians 1:12-14). While the details of Paul’s imprisonment are sketchy, it probably was similar to what we would call “house arrest” today. Acts 28:16-31 describes the situation. Despite being bound with chains, Paul was able to share the gospel during his two-year imprisonment in Rome. Even though Paul enjoyed some freedom while living under house arrest, he was carefully guarded by a Roman soldier. Paul was probably chained to whoever was responsible for guarding him. That’s helpful to know, because when Paul writes about the peace of God that “guards” our hearts, he uses a word that was common in military jargon. Paul may have been chained to a soldier, but he was also connected to a much higher authority. Paul belonged to God and was protected by the peace of God. God gives his people that same peace to today. That’s why so many believers feel protected and at ease in situations that would otherwise make them feel worried and discouraged. Are you feeling anxious and afraid today? The peace of Jesus is available to help (see John 14:27). He cares for you and wants you to have peace.
BIBLE READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, grant us your peace. Thank you for providing it. We surely need it. Keep us close to you so that we will always feel protected by the power of your love. Amen.
ALAAFIA
IRUGBIN NAA
“Àlàáfíà Ọlọ́run, tí ó ju gbogbo òye lọ, yóò ṣọ́ ọkàn àti èrò inú yín nínú Kristi Jésù.” Fílípì 4:7
Won a maa pe iwe Fílípì ni ọ̀kan lára “lẹ́tà ọgbà ẹ̀wọ̀n” Pọ́ọ̀lù. Ìdí ni pé Pọ́ọ̀lù kọ lẹ́tà yìí nígbà tó wà nínú ẹ̀wọ̀n, bóyá ní ilu Róòmù (wo Fílípì 1:12-14). Bó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé kúlẹ̀kúlẹ̀ ọ̀rọ̀ ẹ̀wọ̀n Pọ́ọ̀lù kò je ohun mimo, ó ṣeéṣe kó jọ ohun tá a máa pè ní “àhámọ́ ilé” lónìí. Iṣe Awon Aposteli 28:16-31 ṣapejuwe eyi. Bó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé wọ́n fi ẹ̀wọ̀n dè Pọ́ọ̀lù, ó ṣeéṣe fún un láti wàásù ìhìn rere lákòókò tí o fi wà lẹ́wọ̀n ọdún méjì ní Róòmù. Bó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé Pọ́ọ̀lù gbádùn òmìnira díẹ̀ nígbà tó ń gbé lábẹ́ àtìmọ́lé, síbẹ̀ ọmọ ogun Róòmù kan fi ìṣọ́ ṣọ́ ọ. Ó ṣeéṣe kí wọ́n fi irin ẹ̀wọ̀n de Pọ́ọ̀lù mọ́ ẹnikẹ́ni tó ní ẹrù iṣẹ́ láti máa ṣọ́ ọ. Ìyẹn ṣàǹfààní láti mọ̀, torí pé nígbà tí Pọ́ọ̀lù kọ̀wé nípa àlàáfíà Ọlọ́run tó ń “ṣọ́” ọkàn wa, ó lo ọ̀rọ̀ kan tó wọ́pọ̀ nínú ọ̀rọ̀ ológun. Ó ṣeé ṣe kí wọ́n fi Pọ́ọ̀lù sẹ́wọ̀n pelu ọmọ ogun, àmọ́ Poolu wa pẹ̀lú Àṣẹ tó ga jù lọ. Pọ́ọ̀lù jẹ́ ti Ọlọ́run, àlàáfíà Ọlọ́run sì dáàbò bò ó. Ọlọ́run fún àwọn èèyàn rẹ̀ ní àlàáfíà kan náà títí di òní olónìí. Ìdí nìyẹn tí ọ̀pọ̀ àwọn onígbàgbọ́ fii ni iriri ààbò àti ìrọ̀rùn nínú àwọn ipò tí o le mú kí eniyan ni iriri àìníyàn àti ìrẹ̀wẹ̀sì. Ṣe o ni iriri aniyan ati ibẹru loni? Alaafia ti Jesu wa fun ọ lati ṣe iranlọwọ fun ọ(wo Johannu 14:27). Ó bìkítà fún ẹ ó sì fẹ́ ki o ní àlàáfíà.
BIBELI KIKA: Fílípì 4:4-7
ADURA: Jesu Oluwa, fun wa ni alafia re. O ṣeun fun ipese rẹ. Dajudaju a nilo rẹ. Jẹ ki a sunmọ ọ ki a le ni aabo nigbagbogbo nipasẹ agbara ifẹ rẹ. Amin.