Peace Which Surpasses All Understanding

Guest Writer tonight - Alan Lucas.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV

My troubles were great,

Like a crushing burden upon me.

I thought that I would soon perish

Beneath their unbearable weight.

My mind was perplexed

And in great distress.

I could no longer bear the burden,

I’m losing control

I'm losing control.

Impending doom consumed me.

Every thought was of darkness

And the evil that so tormented me.

My mind was being torn apart.

How much longer,

How much longer.

How can I survive.

Then amid the darkness,

In a moment in time

I remembered You.

You were the good

Who once delivered me

From all my guilt and shame.

You removed the crushing weight

Of all my many sins

And caused me to rejoice.

You covered me with Your love

And filled me with Your presence.

You caused me to hope in faith

And to experience Your wonderful peace.

You led me to Your word

And taught me of Your love.

How great is Your love

That You would give Your son

To redeem such a one as I.

How great is the love of the Son

Who willingly laid down His life.

Who laid it down

For His enemy,

As a gift of love

For me.

An enemy I was no more

But a friend You called me.

How beautiful is Your grace,

No man deserves,

Certainly not I.

But you gave yourself

For the sake of your own good pleasure.

It pleased You to die in my place

To display Your glory to all

For all creation to see.

You glorified Your righteousness

And made known your justice to all

So that all might understand

That You can do all things,

That nothing is impossible for You.

I fell to my knees

And remembered Your salvation.

I called to You for help

Once again I called Your Name.

I felt Your hand upon my back

And heard You softly speak,

“It’s going to be alright.”

And then Your peace

Again returned to me.

********************************

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for Your guidance and peace and for all the impossibly wonderful acts of love You've done for us. Thank You for friends like Alan and Patsy who point us back to You and Your righteousness. Father, I ask that You strengthen Alan as he faithfully continues to worship You while learning to live with only the love Patsy left behind as she made her way home to You. I pray that prayer for all those who are working their way through grief. Help us to understand in our hearts that yes, people die and leave, but their love never dies nor leaves - just as You've promised to never leave us. Keep us ever close to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Going to Seed

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

Galatians 6:7 NLT

As I stood in my backyard, I realize it's time to get the seed planted. Whatever made it through last year's winter, did not make it through this year's. I have lots of seeds and a good variety of them. I have the potential for buckets of flowers and vegetables. I have lots of starter containers. What I need is good soil and lots of light to get them started. Without good soil and light, it won't matter how much seed I have - there will not be a harvest to share.

2nd Corinthians 9:10-11a in the NIV, reads, Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion... 

God supplies our seed AND gives the increase to enlarge the harvest of our righteousness so that we can be generous... Have we prepared the soil of our hearts? Have we availed ourselves of the light of His Word? Have we watered from the River of Life? Are we generous with what God has given us?

It's time to seed. Are we ready?

Prayer:

Father,

        Help us to dig up the fallowed ground of our lives to prepare for the righteousness You want to cultivate and harvest in us so that we can be generous to others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

No Fair Trade

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2nd Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

There was a time in life when bartering or trading was the main practice for obtaining goods and services without the use of money. However, the goods or services you were willing to exchange had to be a fair trade - equal in value to whatever you were trying to obtain. In the last decade or so, people have started again to barter or trade services. As long as the value of each is properly assessed, it can be a great way to make a trade.

Generally speaking, you wouldn't consider it a fair trade to trade ten pounds of one thing for a single ounce of something else, would you? However, if it was an ounce of gold... See? You must recognize the value of what you're trading.

And so it is in our Christian walk. When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we trade our sin-filled lives to obtain the righteousness of God through His Son. God offers us that which is priceless in exchange for our lives that are totally worthless without Christ. Is that a fair trade? Do we recognize the value of the trade or do we dare grumble and complain about what we "give up" to follow Him and walk in His righteousness? 

Think about it.

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray as Paul prayed in Philippians 1, that our love will overflow more and more, and that we will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. Help us to understand what really matters, so that we may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May we always be filled with the fruit of our salvation—the righteous character produced in our lives by Jesus Christ— so that we will bring much glory and praise to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Love Poured Out

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:16 NLT

Oh, I can hear some of you now - "I'm not telling anybody my sins. It'd be all over Facebook or Tweeted all over the place."

As a society, we seem to be consumed with presenting the best image; always attempting to show the good side; trying to hide or camouflage the less-than-perfect side of ourselves, our business, our 'whatevers'. That's not always a good thing.

Do we want people to like the illusion we present or the real us? We want to be loved as we are. How many times have we heard someone plaint, "I want them to like ME! ME! Not what I do for them, not what I look like, not my money...etc."

So, what deepens a relationship? Getting real with each other. Letting someone close enough to see the "warts" (the areas we strive to overcome) or the wrinkles; letting someone close enough to love you in spite of those warts and wrinkles, because according to 1st Peter 4, love covers a multitude of sin. And it's in exposing those painful places that love can then be poured out and we are healed.

You'll notice our text is all one verse. The second sentence expounds on the first to more clearly define what is meant. It's a Share, Prayer, Care verse. That does NOT mean share it all over Facebook or Instagram or to anyone who will listen! Use wisdom!

Who are we supposed to confess to? Someone who has an earnest prayer life, and not only that, but one who also walks in righteousness. In such an environment, there is an assurance of perfect love that casts out fear of exposure.

Prayer:

Father,
           We cry out for wisdom!! Help us to see it is the earnest prayer of a righteous person that has great power and produces wonderful results. Bring Your righteousness into our lives so that we may also pour out to others in need. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Let's Be Reasonable

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1 NKJV

I had a conversation with a friend who mentioned the struggles he is experiencing with a particular project and how it seemed to be ongoing. He presented it laughingly, but it was obvious he wanted some relief. He said his wife told him God was developing patience in his life like He did with Peter. His response was, "I told her, Peter didn't have to deal with this..."

I quipped, "You're right, he didn't. But he was inverted and crucified, so I guess we could get an upside-down crucifixion arranged for you, if you think that would be easier to deal with." Let's just say I'm not the author of the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

According to our Scripture for today, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice... Wait a minute. Doesn't sacrifice include fire and burning meat? Let's face it. We all like grilling, but not if WE are the sacrifice. When God puts me to the test and I make a comment like my friend made, my sister asks, "Hmmm... do I smell barbecue? Something's burning..." Clearly, SHE is not the author, either, of How to Win Friends and Influence People.

The Bible tells us we are to be holy and acceptable to God. How? How do we do that - holy AND acceptable? Scripture tells us in Romans 14:17-18, ... for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Notice this is not a multiple choice statement. It does not read righteousness OR peace OR joy in the Holy Spirit. It's a package deal. Holy AND acceptable! Righteousness AND peace AND joy in the Holy Spirit! How in the world do we do that?!?

By the mercies of God. Now, THAT's reasonable...

Prayer:

Father,
           By Your mercies, which are new every morning, we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto You, which is our reasonable service. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

What Are You Wearing

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15 NLT

Ours is a society that judges people by how they look - the cut of their clothes, their shoes, bags, what they drive. All subject to scrutiny and often fodder for the "Do you believe that?" crowd. Do we ever once look on the heart? However, to quote Alan Neel, "God did not call us to be the Equity judge." In truth, we are instructed to judge NOT... 

Where do we get off thinking we're entitled to judge anyone?

In Isaiah, the Word tells us that We are ALL infected and impure with sin [emphasis mine]. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Is that what we're wearing? God forbid.

Following our text for today, we must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

What's that you're wearing? Is it time for a complete wardrobe change? 

Prayer:

Father,
         Turn up Your Refiner's fire. Burn away that which is not pure before You. We're calling for a complete wardrobe change. We want to be dressed in YOUR righteousness.  In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen

Living Inside Out or Outside In +

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

We get up. We go to work. We get our paycheck, pay our bills or make purchases, and repeat. Get up. Go to work. Pay bills.

Nothing wrong with working and taking care of business. The Word tells us we are to work. I think the question is, what is our motivation? What perspective do we have with regard to our work? Are we working strictly to keep a roof over our heads, put food on the table, take care of those things that address our personal comforts and/or desires? Do we rely solely on ourselves and the work of our hands?

I spent almost half of my life working to provide for just that. Frequently working two or three jobs at one time, trying to make ends meet. Always worrying about whether or not there would be enough. When there doesn't seem to be enough money to go around, our thoughts immediately go to tomorrow and next week and beyond. We live so focused on meeting the needs of the outside of our bodies.

Then I discovered this passage of Scripture. I was horrified to read that "these things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers..." And verse 34 tells us to not worry about tomorrow. How? How do we do that?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else - the King James Version reads this way, Seek first the Kingdom of God.

First. Seek God FIRST and live righteously.

Living righteously has nothing to do with meeting the needs of the outside of our body. It's about changing our hearts and minds to live pleasing to God. We don't do that by what we wear or what we eat or how good we look. Remember, God told Samuel, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. We who are following Christ must live from the inside out.

If we want out, we must seek the Kingdom of God above all else.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for opening Your Word so we gain understanding. Help us to always remember that there is only room for one Number One and that's You. You are God and we are not. Holy Spirit, remind us always to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Right or Righteous +

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder.
Romans 12:9-12 The Message

 Practice playing second fiddle? Okay, confession time. As a somewhat normal human being, that is not something that comes easily to me. This was driven home to me a few years back when I realized that I'd been angry for most of the week…at the same person. I'd think I was over it and then he would come back a little later and do the same thing or something in the same vein, and I'd be angry all over again.  I didn't hit him. I didn't swear. I didn't throw anything. I didn't yell or scream.

In fact, at one point I was patting myself on the back, thinking, 'What a good girl am I' because I didn't hit him and I didn't cuss. I didn't throw anything. I didn't yell or scream. 

Pitiful… Pathetic... PA – THET – IC!  'Ick' being the operative sound there. I thought that I was being angry and not sinning…after all, I was right and I knew I was right.  Self-righteous, filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6, But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags… 

Do I want to be right or do I want to be in right-standing with God? Our text for today reads a little differently in the King James. Verse 10 reads, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another... There was no way my actions could even remotely be misconstrued as preferring one another in honor...

James 3:17-18 reads ...the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

So, I had to ask myself - Right or Righteousness? And as my heart is convicted within me...

Father,
          Forgive me, O God, according to Your Word in 1st John 1:9, that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The only thing I have to be right about is being right with You. Help me, Father. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* Giving the Lead

He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

Psalm 25:9-10 NLT

I know the saying we're most familiar with is "Taking the Lead." However, God does not do things the same way the world does. 

According to our Promise for Today, He leads us in doing right, teaching us His way, when we give up our rights and put ourselves into submission to Him and to His ways. How can we do that? We must have wisdom from above.

James 3:13-18 NLT tells us that True wisdom comes from God. Read with me, If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. 

I don't know about you, but I sure could use a harvest of righteousness. We harvest the fruit of what we plant. I have to plant the right seeds. I can't plant anger and/or seeds of bitterness and then expect a harvest of righteousness. I want the right crop. In order to do that, I need the right seed, the right field and the right path to follow. The key is to realize that I can only follow when I give up the lead. Psalm 25, verse 8 reads, The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. Have we given Him the lead?

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word in Psalm 25, we pray, Show us the right path, O Lord; point out the road for us to follow. Lead us by Your truth and teach us, for You are the God who saves us. All day long we put our hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of our youth. Remember us in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen