2003-06-28 - Peace

Encore from 1999-10-02

Phillipians 4:6,7 In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

In the midst of a crisis, we can stand firm on the essential and eternal things which never change. God does not change , and neither do His promises.We can learn to live in the presence of God. God is not anxious or worried. Jesus was never under pressure, because He never permitted people to impose their will or ways on Him. He will live an ordered and peaceful life through us, if we allow Him to.How do you keep your peace when everything seems to be going to pieces?

1. Begin with prayer. Jesus spent time in prayer with His Father before He faced the multitude:

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed.

Get into (and stay in) the Word of God: Romans 10:17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ .

2. Quietly and firmly refuse to become involved in anything that lies outside the Will of God for you. You are not morally obligated to do everything that others ask you to do. Jesus did not do everything that people asked.

Mark 1:36-38 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him; and they found him, and say unto him, "all are seeking thee. "And he saith unto them, "Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth. "

John 6:15 Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.

4. Learn to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit. If we know that He is with us and we are pleasing to the Father, then the criticism of others will not shake us.

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone. For I do always the things that are pleasing to him.

5. Rest in God's absolute sovereignty. When threatened by Pilate, Jesus calmly responded "Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above. Therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin." John 19:11

6. Wield the sword of the spirit when under attack by the enemy. Arguments, self-defense or debates are not necessary. Jesus said, "It is written"... we cannot improve on that!

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. '"

Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, "Again it is written, 'Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God. '"

Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, "Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. '"

Peace for Christians comes in direct relationship to ones obedience to Gods commands. If you study Colossians Chapter 3, you will find there are specific commands related to verse 15: "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful."

If we are to have peace we must:

1. Develop a forgiving spirit: Col. 3:13 ... forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye....

2. Learn what it means to "let the word of Christ dwell in you in all wisdom... "Much of our unrest comes because we do not know the will of God. We could find out the will of God for us, if we would learn to dwell in His word.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.

3. Learn to develop a thankful heart. Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

4. Be gentle and submissive in our dealings with others. Col. 3: 18-25 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance. Ye serve the Lord Christ. For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done, and there is no respect of persons.

5. Get rid of the sin that obstructs our fellowship with God. Col. 3:5-9 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. For which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience - wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things. But now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth. Lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings...

Lord God, we praise you and we thank you... Amen

Psalm 122:6

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

liv4yeshua@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org