Remaining in God's peace

Remaining in God's peace. Is it really possible to have God's peace at all times?

In a world of turmoil where so many things come at us - there are shakings all around the world, daily we are "bombarded" with bad news, not only from the media but we only have to pick up the phone and begin to read our messages to realise there are so many hurting devastating things happening to our close friends and family. Then we have our own personal "issues" where "surprises" come to us each day.

I can't tell you that I have not been moved lately from my place of peace....I have been wrestling quite often with anxiety, worry even fear. However, I will not allow anything that God did not give me to overtake me. Thus I write this message to encourage both yourselves and me too.

Anxiety and worry are by products of fear and fear does not come from God.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

This is the Amplified translation

The King James version simply says a sound mind.

Now if God has already given us a different Spirit (the Holy Spirit and the fruits of that Spirit) can we then choose peace?

The answer would be yes! YES!

When there was a storm in Matthew 8:23 to 27, Jesus slept during the storm, the disciples woke him with much fear "Lord help us, we are perishing!"

That really summarises how we feel in many situations these days my friends.

Jesus response, is simply " O yee of little faith" and he calms the storm.

Lord help though our unbelief!

Let us expound a bit:

• At the beginning of the journey. Jesus stated we will cross over to the other side, God's will was outlined

• The storm blew, but we have authority over even the contrary winds and waves

• Jesus had such peace even with the surrounding turmoil, because he trusted his Father

I could do much more exposition but for the purpose of this message let us think on these points:

What has God spoken to you?

Are you experiencing a storm (unpredictable and tumultuous)?

Will we (me included) continue in God's peace knowing that our Father is faithful and will not ever leave us nor forsake us. Let us trust God and continue to walk by faith and not by sight.

To remain in God's peace, choose his peace by continually meditating on all he spoke to us through his word. Then we speak that word (we received from God through revelation) to the very storm until it is quieted.

Amen

Doing these will also help too -

Admit the truth and confess the fear, ask God for help and allow others to help by asking for prayer.

Remind yourself of God's faithfulness, he has always brought us through and not just through...he brought us into better - into his best. Amen

I remind you today nothing can stop God's will for you, whatever he ordained for you will come to pass. Even if one door closes, he will open another - he is a way maker and his word concerning you will not return void.

I pray that God will keep us in his peace, this week and every week. May he make us unshakeable, rooted and grounded in his love.

Psalm 112 Amplified

1 Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience],

Who delights greatly in His commandments.

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;

The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in his house,

And his righteousness endures forever.

4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright;

He is gracious and compassionate and righteous (upright—in right standing with God).

5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;

He conducts his affairs with justice.

6 He will never be shaken;

The righteous will be remembered forever.

7 He will not fear bad news;

His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the Lord.

8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear

While he looks [with satisfaction] on his adversaries.

9 He has given freely to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever;

His horn will be exalted in honor.

10 The wicked will see it and be angered,

He will gnash his teeth and melt away [in despair and death];

The desire of the wicked will perish and come to nothing.

Amen

May we practise God's peace by choosing to do the following:

Phillipians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

8 Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you, today and every day

Amen

Walk good in Christ

Till we meet again

Pastor J