BIBLICAL STRATEGY FOR A STRESS-FREE LIFE

(Sermon Notes for Sunday, 23 November 2025)

1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.
3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

What is worry? The Greek word translated "worry" in Philippians 4:6 means..."to be pulled in different directions."

Phil 4:6a (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything..."

Matthew 6:34 (NLT) So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it's own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Phil 4:6b (nlt) ...instead, pray about everything. 

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Philippians 4:6C (NLT) "... thank him for all he has done."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

What you read determines what you think.
What you think determines what you believe.
What you believe determines how you act.
How you act determines your habits.
Your habits determine your character.
Your character determines your destiny.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..."
 
The bottom line is this: "The way you think determines the way you feel; the way you feel determines the way you act."

Philippians 4:7 (NLT) Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus

It's a relationship with Jesus Christ! If you will take these steps and allow Jesus Christ to become the guard of your mind and the center of your life, you will find a peace you could not imagine.

“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.

Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 10:28 (NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”