ONE ON ONE TALKING POINTS
Taken from john 14:27
While the world is busy with its "peace talks" and "peace conferences," hearts of individuals are confused and frustrated as they seek what they desperately hope will bring peace. Both men and nations are looking in the wrong place and for the wrong thing.
What is peace? If you were asked to define it, what would be your definition? Perhaps you would say, "Peace is what one has when everything is running smoothly, when things seem to be going my way and there are no trials or problems to give me a moment's concern." We think we have peace when the family finances are stable and when we are in good health.
Even though we may be peaceful when everything is ideal, this is not real peace. We recognize all too well that we are not able to maintain these conditions by our own power. Circumstances are often beyond our control, and there is uncertainty because our whole situation may be shaken overnight. Then what happens to our "peace"?
This surface "peace" depends upon circumstances. God has promised us something much better. He offers us an inner rest that remains unshaken regardless of circumstances— completely opposite to what the world calls peace. We see this in John 14:27 where Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Did you notice the contrast? His peace is not the same peace that the world offers. He says, the kind of peace that I give keeps your heart from being troubled and keeps your heart from being afraid. He didn't say it would be a matter of having no problems, because we see in many places in the Scriptures, that trials will come our way. Those who have trusted Christ as Saviour still have problems, but we have One to whom we may bring them. This is how God's peace contrasts with what the world has to offer— the world gives tranquilizers, God gives us grace.
And God's peace (be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding, shall garrison and mount guards over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.— Phil. 4:7 (Amplified)
This peace that comes from God is the kind that the world cannot understand. They look on the situations in our lives and wonder why we haven't come unglued. They, and even we, can't understand, because this is not a natural kind of peace. This is a peace from God. It is supernatural.
Peace is not just the absence of problems, but it is knowing what to do with whatever may come into one's life. It is knowing that every situation and every area of our lives are in God's competent hands. It is a matter of believing that the One to whom I have committed them has the answer, and that He has the power to bring it about. Peace comes from utter trust in Him, and His ability to bring me through. It is not my ability to close my eyes to this problem and pretend that it will go away, or to weather it with gritted teeth and with a stoical attitude. Peace, is knowing that God cannot fail. Here are some of the reasons why.
God Knows / But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.— Job 23:10
The Lord knows all about what's going on inside us. Sometimes just a deep depression. Sometimes you're not even able to put your finger on it and diagnose it yourself, but He says I know all about that. Because He knows everything there is to know about us. He knows our every thought. He knows everything that we do, our mistakes and sins. He knows us much better than we know ourselves. The amazing thing is that He loves us in spite of what we are.
God Cares / Casting the whole of our care— all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all— on Him: for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.— I Peter 5:7 (Amplified) What an invitation! Can you ask for more? Bring your problems to Him, because He cares. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Are you heavy laden? Have you ever been? Where do you go? Jesus says come to me— I'll give you rest.
GOD IS ABLE / Not only does He know and care, but He is able. We may have many friends who know our problems and they care, but this is where they fall short— they are not able. They haven't the power no matter how much they would like to bring us through. They just do not have the ability. The Lord is the one with the power and the ability to deliver us. How able is He? Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.— Ephesians 3:20
This is the Peace everyone is looking for and this Truth comes with a Promise. Our Lord Jesus is our Shepherd through thick and thin, joy and sorrow, health and sickness, success and failure, life and death. Call on His Name now and receive His unspeakable Peace. Please e-mail me with your questions or comments at steve@radioshine.org
No comments:
Post a Comment