Repay Evil With Blessing

This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from Peter's first letter.  

1 Peter 3:8-17 NIV:

[8] "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

[10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

[13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

When I read through this section, verse 9 grabbed my attention, as it is so opposite of the spirit of our age!  We want to repay evil with cursing, with judgment, with holding everyone responsible, and exacting vengeance!  We want to see karma rain down hard on those who hurt us, who are ugly in their treatment of others!  We want to see people get whats coming to them, the older gentrified saying is their comeuppance.  Our movies are full of bad-guys going down in the last bit of the movie, and we love it.  

Whether experiencing evil or insult in word or deed, Peter encourages us to respond with a blessing.  He says we were called to this response!  This is the invitation and command of the Lord, to love one another, as He loved us, laying down our lives one for another.  

Jesus specifically spoke about our response to those we would consider bad or evil, in His " Sermon on the Mount" as recorded by Matthew.  Here is His statement - Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:

[43] “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I am reminded of something Graham Cooke spoke about from his life, hopefully I remember this correctly.  Graham is a prophetic voice in the church, and at one time a local pastor was attacking him verbally, in the press, in his own church, to anyone that would listen.  Graham sought the Lord about how he should respond and the Lord told him to bless the man by donating to his ministry anonymously.  In fact, He had Graham slip money under his door at night, and this went on for months.  All the while this other man railed on Graham, even saying that he personally was being blessed by God and thinking that was God's way of approving his stance against Graham.  

Doesn't that just seem wrong? 

Imagine if that was the type of response of the Church?

I was reading an article this morning that said the biggest problem with church is "people".   We don't act like Christ, we don't speak like Christ, we don't love like Christ, we don't forgive like Christ, we don't shine like Christ!

However, we can do all of this, through Christ who strengthens us, through Holy Spirit who guides, teaches and empowers us!  We can be the light of the world if we are willing to love like He loves us, laying down our lives, our pride, our need to be right, our need for payback, and choose to love and bless!

I certainly know I can't do this on my own, but today I am encouraged to do all I can to bless and love!  I am encouraged to seek the empowerment of the Lord to be a witness to His love and blessing in the midst of an angry and hurting world!

Amen and Amen!  Help me Lord!

Think About This...

My reflection this morning is based on the following two verses from Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:8-9 NIV:

[8] "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

I was just reading through these verses and Paul's simple encouragement to "think about such things" grabbed my heart and mind.  I started to reflect on those things I think most about, and truthfully, it is not often about the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.  Instead I am often in problem solving mode, trying to deal with issues and frustrations which, while part of my job, can be overwhelming at times, and sometimes even become a pattern of thinking. I also spend much of my time thinking about the things that need to get done, again that is part of my job, but again, it can become a pattern of thinking.

As I read Paul's exhortation, I realized that I need to make sure to spend time thinking about the good, lovely, admirable and excellent, etc.  I need to take time, even make time, to give me a chance to think about positive things, about Kingdom things, about the Gospel, and how good the Lord is to me.  I need to remember to take time away from the job focus and thought patterns and think positively.  

As such, I need to cultivate opportunities to digest positive material, to engage in positive conversation, to change the pathway my mind travels.  I am reminded of Mother Theresa, who always had a rosary in her hand, and whose mind at rest defaulted to prayer.  She was always praying in the background, as if there were two tracks to her mind, one that was dealing with the situation in front of her, the other that was praying.  

I remember reading a book in college, I think it was titled "The Way of the Pilgrim" and the main character practised praying the Jesus prayer all day long every day, until it became the underlying thought process, an almost unconscious default for his mind to slide back into when He wasn't thinking about anything else. It was an interesting concept to me and gives me hope that there is more I am capable of than what I am presently experiencing. 

While I may not be able to achieve this level of alternative positive thought and prayer, I can work on making time for me to read, and pray and think differently.  I can make sure to take time to change my thinking, and recognize during the day when my thinking about the struggles and such is becoming my default, and work to change that, by taking my thoughts captive, recognizing that I can control my mind and choosing to think differently.

Lord, help me to embrace these simple words of Paul, and change the  way I think, that I might reflect Your nature, and Your thoughts!

Amen!

Judged on Words or Actions?

This morning I am reflecting on a question that I came across a few days ago in my prayer time.  It is based on two scriptures from Mathew's Gospel, and in both cases Jesus is speaking.  Here are the verses -  Matthew 12:33-37 NIV:

[33] “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. [35] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [36] But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. [37] For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

- and - 

Matthew 25:31-46 NIV:

[31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

[34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

[37] “Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

[40] “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' 

[41] “Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

[44] “They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

[45] “He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' [46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. ”

In both of these sets of verses, we find Jesus speaking in some form about the final judgment.  In the first set of verses He is focused on our speaking and in the second set of verses on our actions.  As I was reading the first set of verses, I was reminded of this second set, and the question popped into my mind, "On which will we be judged, our words or our actions?"

In situations like this, we should always look at context and part of context is the audience to whom Jesus is speaking.  In the first set of verses, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who had just accused Him of being in league with Satan, so while he said it in the presence of His apostles, it was directed to religious leaders who were refusing to recognize that He came from the Father.

The second set of verses are spoken to Jesus disciples, shortly before His persecution, trial and crucification. He started the discourse at the beginning of Chapter 24 in Matthew's Gospel, in response to the disciples question about end-times.  

So, at a quick glance we see the first discourse is directed to non-believers, the other towards believers.  Again, we must always review challenging verses like these in light of all of the revelation of Scripture, and specifically in the revelation of Jesus, who is the perfect representation of the Father (Heb 1:3).  As I reflect on these verses today, I am reminded of Jesus' only new Command, found in John 13:34-35 NIV: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”    In this great New Command we are told to love one another.  

John, in his later letter, spelled out what this love meant - 1 John 3:16-18 NIV: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."   In other words our love needs to be expressed in actions, not just words.  This leads us back to the verses of consideration this morning, while love r belief might begin with words, it must result in actions.  It is by our actions that we demonstrate our beliefs, our love and our faith.  

However, these actions are meant to be coupled to relationship with the Lord, as Jesus spoke in John 15:12-17 NIV:"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit---fruit that will last---and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. [17] This is my command: Love each other."

Finally, some get so caught up in looking at the final judgment, preaching about judgment, judging others that they forget that our primary call is to love one another.  If we have relationship with Jesus and just love one another in word AND in deed, I believe we will experience God's blessing both in this life and after the final judgment, and lead many down the same path!

Let us worry less about judgment and more about love in action!

Amen and Amen!

Are You The One?

Yesterday during worship I felt like the Lord led me to Matt 11, and that there was an important encouragement and invitation in the following verses.  Matthew 11:2-6 NIV:

[2] "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples [3] to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 

[4] Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: [5] The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. [6] Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

I felt like the Lord was inviting us (the Church) into the place where we were going to be re-presenting His ministry in truth and reality.  In the same way that Jesus pointed to the work of the Holy Spirit through Himself, we are going to be able to do the same thing!  

No longer are we just going to talk about the Lord, but the results of our ministry will make Him evident.  People when they met Jesus, were changed! People were healed, delivered, cured, raised, and convicted of sin.  I felt like the days are coming when the signs of Jesus ministry, will be many, and it will be through these that people are going to be able to tell where the Gospel is being preached, and lived.  The ministry of Jesus will be released by people who know Jesus!  

Thus, the invite was to both deeper relationship with Him, and acting like Him (or should I say doing what He asks us to do).  The deeper our intimacy, the more we can represent Him.  

However, I believe one of the reasons John asked the question is that even for John, Jesus' ministry and public persona were not what He expected.  John knew Jesus as his cousin, and also knew he had been sent to announce the coming of the Messiah.  It appears John wasn't sure Jesus was the Messiah, and I can only think this is because Jesus didn't seem to John to be what He thought the Messiah would be like.  Is it possible that the Lord, in inviting us into deeper intimacy, is also inviting us into a changing Church environment, something that might not seem like the church we grew up in?  

What if part of this invitation is for ALL OF US to become active ministers, active representatives of Jesus, not just on Sunday, but everyday, where we live and work?  Is it possible that our idea of church is going to need to change?  Instead of something we do on Sunday, in a particular building, it becomes something we experience every day, everywhere?  If instead of the word "church", we use the other image of the Body of Christ, it becomes easier to embrace.  We have come to associate Church with a building and a time of the week, but Jesus' Body isn't just alive on Sundays, and Wed. evenings, but is alive and well every other day of the week too.

I wonder if this will be the generation when the world asks, "is this the generation that will see the great revival?"

I pray our answer will be, "let us report what we have seen and heard, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is proclaimed to every nation!"

Let us embrace this invitation to go deeper into intimacy with the Lord, and to live our life as an active part of the Body of Christ, every day, all day long!  Let us listen to what the Lord is saying and do it!  Let us faithfully represent Jesus to our world.

Amen and Amen!

Sheep or Sons & Daughters?

Recently I have been thinking about the Church and looking at two different terms the Lord uses in describing us, sheep and sons and daughters. The deferent terms are useful and it is important to understand both are appropriate, but it is critical that we communicate correctly about our identities, and our mission, if you will, as followers of Christ.

This weekend I had a great conversation with a good friend that got me thinking about this all again.  In my long-term relationship with the Lord, He will often revisit different topics, giving me additional insight, or more likely reminding me of the insight He provided previously.  This is a topic area I have visited on multiple occasions, and one that is really important, at least in my opinion.

In John's Gospel Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, and describes us as His sheep, the second instance is found John 10:14-17 NIV:

[14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--- [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. [17] The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life---only to take it up again."

He talked about sheep several different times, and the terminology was used by the early church, as we find in 1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV:

[1] "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: [2] Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them---not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; [3] not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

The image of Jesus as our Chief Shepherd is wonderful in that we are all under His care, and He will guide us and direct us to what we need. David refers to the Lord as the Shepherd in Psalm 23, one of his most famous psalms. We enjoy this pastoral idea, and Peter encourages his fellow elders to watch over and serve the flocks they are guiding, and sometimes our leaders can stop there and just think of believers in a church as sheep who need to be fed.  Many of our main-line churches espouse a model that effectively encourages this, with professional pastors, priests or ministers, and the lay congregation.  The leaders are responsible to feeding and nourishing the flock, and while that is wonderful, I think this sometimes limits the understanding and mission of us all as followers of Christ.  Sheep rarely evolve beyond being sheep, but we are also called sons and daughters of God!

Paul pushes us into this idea several times in his writings, and I think the most significant is found in Romans 8:14-17,28-30 NIV:

[14] "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." 

[28] "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

We are not really sheep, we are sons and daughters, and Jesus is the firstborn!  Imagine how we would minister if we thought we were raising up sons and daughters of God, those that had purposes in God to fulfill, and it was our responsibility to identify those gifts, abilities and purposes then equip them and release them into their purposes!  Each son and daughter of God is capable of being a world-changer, as Jesus showed us the way!  We are called to represent Him to this world, and each of us is called as His witness!  

I believe this is why the five-fold (and beyond) ministries are highlighted by Paul. Simply pastoring (shepherding) is not enough to raise sons and daughters!  We must press beyond into real training, and equipping!  Paul writes,  "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV).

We are called to mature, to take our positions, to fulfill our destinies, and we can't do that if we are just treated like sheep!  

Lord help us!  

Holy Spirit guide us and cause Your Body, the Church, to begin to mature and grow, that we might effectively represent You, here on the earth! 

Amen and Amen!

Freedom! Don't Be Offended

This morning I felt led to read from Luke's Gospel, and while I often read this Gospel, it seems I am always focused in a couple sections.  Today I felt like I wanted to read something different, so I turned to chapter thirteen.  Here are the verses that caught my eye this morning - Luke 13:10-17 NIV:

[10] "On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, [11] and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. [12] When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” [13] Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God." 

[14] "Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” 

[15] "The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? [16] Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” 

[17] "When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing."

I love it when Jesus confronts religion, and helps us to see how religion is not of Him.  We tend to think that religion, and specifically a religious spirit is somewhat related to God, or possibly of God, for it uses the Law and the Word.  However, just as when satan tempted Jesus in the desert, using promises from scripture, knowledge of the Word is not proof of being from God!  (See Luke 4:10-11) 

In this case the synagogue leader is not content to rebuke Jesus, he tries to control all the people, by telling them to only come for healing on any day but the sabbath.  He wanted to regain control, for his knowledge of the law allowed him to control the people.  The religious spirit will always try to control and bind people, never set them free.  

Jesus is all about breaking people free from bondage, and in this case, whether a physical ailment or spiritual manifestation, He set this woman free!  In doing so, He definitely caused a stir, and even offended some.  His answer as to His actions, though, helped those who were offended to see... for offense comes often from a misinterpretation of what is happening.  We have rules and ways we think things should happen, based on our past experience or teaching we have received, and God is willing to allow us to change our thinking, often by pushing us past the way we think things should happen.  In this case, Jesus recast His "work" as setting her free, like an animal who had been tied up, and that was allowed.  More importantly He helped the people to see the woman's predicament and her healing.  

For those of us who occasionally see God move in power, we can sometimes be offended by the outward appearance of the inward change.  What I mean is when the Power of the Kingdom of God encounters and defeats the power of the enemy, sometimes there is an outward expression!  Multiple times in scripture we hear of spirits shrieking as them come out of people, following Jesus' command.  When the Lord heals someone that has struggled with sickness or injury for years, as this woman, they are often overjoyed, and their praise becomes expressive.  I think in verse 13 above, the woman's praise was more than a little expressive, probably pushing past the rules of decorum!  

Oh that we would experience God moving in ways that set people free, every day, and especially on Sunday, even if it means our nice, neat Sunday services get a little boisterous, even at times messy!  As Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1 NIV)   Make no mistake, choosing to take up offense, is allowing ourselves to be bound by judgments!  Not only that, but it is an effort to bind others under your judgment, just like the synagogue leader in this story! 

Oh Lord, help us!  Help us to look past those things we don't understand or that make us uncomfortable, and help us to see You at work!  We want to be about Your ministry and Your ministry clearly caused a stir, sometimes even a mess, but it always set people free!  

Amen!

Peace Guard

Yesterday I had a reflection on the Peace of God guarding our hearts and minds, based on Philippians 4:7, and while it was enlightening, I had some additional revelation during worship at church yesterday.  Here are the original verses - Philippians 4:6-7 NIV:

[6] "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I started reflecting on what the Peace of God really is, asking Him to show me.  I know it is much more than just a feeling of peace that would settle on our mind and heart, and while helpful, I believe there is a depth of insight available to us here.  As I was praying, I was reminded of God's plan to send Jesus, His beloved Son, to earth to take on human form, suffer, and die, and rise again.  I wouldn't normally associate this with the Peace of God, but as I reflected upon that world changing event, I realized that God must have been at peace, not anxious, but having full trust in Jesus, and full trust in His plan and purpose!  

I then thought about Jesus in the Garden, asking the Father if there was another way, and after His encounter with the Father in that moment, we find Jesus peaceful, knowing what He was going to do and stepping right into the hands of the crowd Judas brought that night (John 18:1-12).  We know that it was for the joy before Him that Jesus endured the cross (Heb 12:2) and how could he possibly have joy in that moment without an understanding of the Father's full plan and purpose and peace?  I believe His final exclamation, "It is Finished!" indicates that He knew exactly what He had accomplished.

I am reminded of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as listed by Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5:22-23 NIV: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."  I find it reassuring that joy and peace are true present when Holy Spirit is present, and we know that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and I believe He was experiencing the fullness of the fruit during His Passion and Death.  

Going back to my original question, what is the Peace of God?, I think the previous reflections help me to understand, in some small way the enormity of what is meant when Paul writes that the peace of God will guard us.  This is no small, fleeting feeling, but a rock solid, bet the fate of the world on it, peace!  God is capable, and demonstrated His sovereignty and power, His absolute authority over all things, and it is from that place, that His peace is present.  He invites us to step into that peace, to let that peace wash over us, to experience that peace standing guard over us.

Paul tells us that the way to do this is through prayer, petition and thanksgiving.  In the old testament they were encouraged to bring thank offerings to the Lord, offerings of fellowship (see Lev 7:12-13) and it is interesting that it is deemed a sacrifice.  In my mind, thankfulness is the result of something that just happened, but is it possible that that it is something we can offer, before we are experience God's blessing and provision?  It certainly seems that it can be intentional and an act of our will, saying thank You to God before we see Him move!  It is interesting that this is defined as a fellowship offering... one wonders if indeed it invites Holy Spirit to a place of more intimate relationship?

Finally, as I was reflecting on all of this I saw an image of Peace as this huge being standing guard over us.  As the enemy tried to break through with fear, doubt or anxiety laden thoughts, I saw this huge being grab him and body slam him, and shaking his finger at him, as in there was no way past!  Imagine the largest professional wrestler as your personal body-guard, and that is sort of what I imagined!  That is certainly much more than just a fleeting feeling of peace! 

My encouragement this morning is to press into a place of offering thanks for anything and everything that causes concern, fear, doubt, or anxiety.  I am encouraged that the Peace of God is much more than a simple feeling, and that it has the ability to guard and defend my mind and heart like nothing else in this world!

Amen and Amen!

God's Peace Will Guard...

This morning I am continuing reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:4-9 NIV:

[4] "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

[8] "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

As I was reading through these verses, I was struck by the prescription in verse 6, and the promise in verse 7, for those that struggle with anxiety.  As a rule I am not anxious, but I know many people who struggle with this daily, and I was thinking and praying for them as I was reading these verses.  

I was thinking about my normal response to uncertainty and doubt being petition and prayer, something along the lines of, "Help me God, I don't know what to do!"  What I don't often do is thank the Lord for the situation I find myself in!  Paul says we should present our requests in prayer, petition and thanksgiving, and I find that last one, thanksgiving,  is really the key, as the first two can be accomplished with a very introspective view, but thanksgiving forces me to change the way I am looking at myself and my situation.  Thanking God for a difficult situation means, either I am a masochist, or I believe that He has a plan and purpose for me, and its for my good, and this situation is part of the journey to fulfillment.  

As I was thinking about that, I had an analogy pop into my head, although one could think of many.  I was reminded of highschool, going through a prescribed set of math course, each one building on the one previous, so that at the end I was doing calculus and understanding it.  I couldn't have just understood calculus, I needed to understand algebra, geometry and trigonometry, and each of those classes represented a certain amount of difficulty, and struggle.  I had to put in time, work through the equations, etc. but in the end I was successful.  I didn't doubt the plan.  I can't say I was really thankful in the midst of those classes, although if I had been thinking about a future that required that math, that might have helped, and certainly would have changed my attitude.

In the same way, there is purpose to our lives, to that which we go through.  Paul said it well a bit earlier in this letter,  [12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).

So, in our struggle with anxiousness, uncertainty, doubt and fear, if we can approach God in prayer, petition and thanksgiving, thanking Him that this is helping us to fulfill His purposes and plan for our own good, the promise is the peace of God, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!  I know I want His peace standing guard over my mind and heart, repelling the arrows and darts the enemy tries to launch at me.  

His peace is based on the fact that His will is always accomplished, His plans are perfect and He has already defeated the enemy!  The Lord knows exactly what the enemy will try and always is ready to counter it and turn it for His purposes!  I want the peace of God, which is certainly beyond my understanding, guarding my heart, protecting me and guiding me through the struggles, allowing me to engage in situations without feeling like I need to protect myself.  

This reflection brought me to three questions:

Can I trust Him with my heart?  

Can I trust Him with my future?

Can I trust Him with my woundedness?

If I can get my mind off myself, my pain, my worry and doubt and look to Him, and pray, and plead and mostly thank Him for this situation, I believe His peace will enter in, and cause me to see a way forward, bring stability to me, and protect me from recurrences.  This is certainly the promise that Paul has brought forward!  

I am reminded of a couple of verses from the Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV:

[14] "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Yes, Lord!  Mercy, Grace, and Peace in our time of need!

Lord, thank You for all that You are about in my life.  Thank You for those things I don't understand, those things that cause me to doubt, those things that hurt!  I believe that You understand me, my situation and have a plan and purpose, and its good!  I believe that I will experience Your peace, and it will guard me, in Christ Jesus, who has defeated the enemy!

Amen and Amen!