Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

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Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Tyla Yauk (Writer), Tyla Yauk (Narrator)

November 27, 2024 • Tyla Yauk • Philippians 4:6

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Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotional is written by Tyla Yauk.

Our scripture reference for today is from Philippians 4:6 ESV. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Do you know that our brains cannot hold anxiety and thanksgiving at the same time? It’s true. The part of the brain necessary for overthinking, analyzing, and conjuring up things to be fearful about is the same part responsible for praise, worship, and thanksgiving. So, when we focus on one or the other, they automatically cancel each other out. How cool is that?

Philippians 4:6 is the most practical application of this brain phenomenon. This verse has always held a special place in my heart. Jokingly, if I were to get a scripture tattoo, it would be this one. My struggle is fear of the future. Ironically, God hears that and meets us in our worries and pain with such a practical application. I love application verses. They will always produce what they say they will because God cannot lie. So he won’t recommend us doing something if there isn’t a great reason. He knows us so well.

I plan on writing post-it notes and journaling every time I feel anxiety coming on. I will not just write random things but make sure they end in praise and thanksgiving, as the verse speaks, so I may receive the promised blessing. Once we give our anxieties to the Lord, He promises to fill us with peace, as the following verse in Philippians 4:7 (ESV) states, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

With this new information about how our cognitive brain works, try focusing on praise, worship, and thanksgiving daily. Your anxiety and fear will decrease, and your relationship with God will deepen.

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com/

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December 18, 2024 • Marge Webb • Luke 1:46–47, Luke 1:49

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. Today’s devotion is written by Marge Web. “...My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… For the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46-47, 49 NRSV) I love Christmas music. My former employees will tell you when they rode to a lunch event in my van; they expected two things: I would drive fast and undoubtedly listen to Christmas music. Did you know singing worship songs at Christmas is evident in the Bible? Of course, the era wasn’t called Christmas, but the angels were bringing the good news of the Savior, and Mary and Zachariah responded with singing. Mary’s beautiful song says in part, Sing out my soul the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. This song is often called the Magnificat and has been used as the basis for choral music and hymns for centuries. What beautiful praise as Mary reacted to all the events happening in her young life sharing the news of the promised Messiah with her aunt Elizabeth. This Christmas let’s not just sing Christmas carols for fun but also worship the newborn Savior through these beautiful hymns. From the daunting melody of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel to the more familiar Silent Night, focus on the lyrics of each song. Maybe we can start with this one. It’s not worshipping a town, but a Savior born there as prophesied in Micah 5:2, “But thou Bethlehem, out of thee shall a ruler of Israel come forth.” (KJV) “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see Thee lie! Above Thy deep and dreamless Sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light: The hopes and dreams of all the years, Are met in Thee tonight.” Let Jesus meet your hopes and dreams this Christmas. Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at http://www.ohsofreeministries.com

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