THE PEACE OF GOD TO US!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2020.

SUBJECT: THE PEACE OF GOD TO US! 

Memory verse: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4 vs 7.) 

READ: John 14 vs 27 - 28:

14: 27: Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

14:28: You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you love Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father ,’ for the Father is greater than I.

INTIMATION:

God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control, and that Christ has won the ultimate victory for us on the cross. Therefore, as believers, our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Christ has already assured us of His continuous presence in our lives; that He will not leave us alone, He will come back to us as the Holy Spirit. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16 vs 33.) With these words He told His disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. He is saying the same thing to all believers; He does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times.

The apostle Paul tells the believers, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3 vs 15.) Paul tells us to let Christ’s peace be umpire or referee in our heart. Our heart is the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash—our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love. How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants? The apostle Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace that will promote peace in our souls, and our Christian community. 

The result of one’s prayerful communication with God that is based on faith is an inner tranquility that cannot be expressed in words. It is the peace of God that protects one’s heart and produces consistency in one’s thoughts. When our prayers are offered to God upon the basis of faith, and knowing that God will work in answer to our prayers, then we will gain an inner peace of heart and mind. Through the knowledge of the presence of God, we would have peace of mind. The world could not give such peace of mind because of the turmoil that is constantly in the world. 

Prayer: Abba Father, let Your peace which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, rule my heart at all times with inner tranquility that cannot be expressed in words because of the knowledge of Christ’s triumph for us on the cross, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!