PEACE, Be Still!

* PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9

"...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts..." (verse 7)

Haven't you ever found yourself in a situation in which, normally you would've lost all control and composure, but for some mysterious reason this time you experienced some kind of cool from within? Sometimes you get so lost in trying to figure out where the calm came from that you actually forget the problem itself.

For those who truly know God and walk with Him, that inner strength, calmness and confidence is what Paul described here as 'the peace of God'. And if you've tried figuring it out like I have, you'll agree with me that it is beyond human comprehension.

I remember a song about God's love that I think all kids loved in Sunday School, "...so high can't get over it, so low can't get under it, so wide can't get around it; oh wonderful love!". Well, God's peace is just as unfathomable.

You can be sure of one thing, though - God's peace will keep your heart strong in times of loss, fear, failure, weakness, disappointment, despair and discouragement. When the Bible says this peace will guard your heart, the picture is of a fully armed garrison around your heart. That's what God's peace does for us! It protects our hearts from the blows of life and the many worries that deprive us of our joy.

Where are you, and what's happening in your life right now? What are you battling and dealing with? Or maybe I should have asked, 'what's dealing with you?'. God wants your heart to be safe and free so He can soothe you with His peace.

"You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. So, trust the LORD always, because He is our Rock forever." (Isaiah 26:3 & 4 - New Century Version)

*Feel free to leave a comment. Share your thoughts, experiences and post any questions you may have on this or any other posts. Thanks

BOLDNESS IN OUR DECLARATION OF FAITH

* JOHN 12: 42 & 43

The rulers who believed really did believe in Jesus Christ, but were not bold enough to let it be known that they believed. They were afraid the Pharisees would throw them out of the synagogue. They couldn't declare their faith in the Master.

Just how important is your public image? How does it weigh on the scale in comparison to your public confession of faith? In Mark 8:38, Jesus said if we fail to declare Him before men, He will be ashamed to declare us before His Father, God.

If you are a Christian, then it is most likely that you've surrounded yourself with people of the same creed as you. Among your circle, it is most likely the in-thing to be born-again. But still do you lack the boldness to declare for Christ in the way you relate to new acquaintances, neighbours and friends?

The Pharisees had a reason for hiding their faith. They wanted to retain their exalted places in the synagogue. Today too, we have our reasons for lacking the boldness to live by our faith in the public arena. Sometimes its that 'rep' we feel we have to protect. Or maybe we don't want to lose our boss' favour or perhaps we don't want too many people to know we are Christians so they don't put our lives under the magnifying and scrutinize our every move. We often still want the best of both worlds. Clearly, Jesus said we cannot straddle the line or sit on the fence (Revelation 3:15).

'For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.' GOD'S PRAISE AND PLEASURE IS THE ULTIMATE! (Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Dear friend, why not boldly declare your faith in Him today?