FIND PERFECT PEACE
As the ministry grows my greatest challenge is to remain in a place of quietness and peace. Isaiah says this about God in Isa 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace,whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." The flesh constantly tries to challenge our peace. We wonder if there will be enough resources to finish our vision and task. Financial stress can weigh heavy on us who have great vision. People can constantly cause worry and stress. There are many things daily that can disturb us. Not only does the flesh try and steal our peace, but Satan brings a daily battle to our doorstep. Hassling spirits linger on every side and can come to us in very unique forms. What else really disturbs our peace? We know that the flesh and Satan are evident forms of attack upon our peace, but perhaps Isaiah hit the nail on it's head. The FOCUS of our thoughts is a real key. When we look to anything but God our peace can be disturbed. Many times we trust in the "Chariots of Egypt" and they come in forms of money, people and promises. When these things let us down we lose our peace. When we lose our peace we start making bad decisions and we don't think clearly.
What is peace? It is a state of quietness, calmness and deep trust from both our heart and our mind. Phil 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." I believe that real peace comes when our heart and mind are in alignment with God. I was raised on a farm in Northeast Colorado. We had an old truck whose wheels were always out of alignment because of years of wear. When we drove that old truck down the highway to take our cattle to market the front wheels would try and make it go off the road to the right or the left. It was difficult and even dangerous to steer that old truck straight ahead. The same with our life. We must keep our heart and our head in alignment with God to have peace. Then Paul says, God will guard our hearts and minds. That Greek word for guard is "Garrison about". God literally places an army of protection around us and brings us peace. But when our heart says one thing and our head says another they get out of alignment and we loose our peace. Jesus faced many of the same pressures you and I face daily. He had large crowds of people both traveling with Him and following Him. Just feeding this great crowd could be stressful. The disciples showed this concern when they were ready to send the multitudes home without any food. Paying taxes were a concern also. Each time Jesus didn't get upset but remained at peace. He fed the multitudes with a few loaves and fishes. He told the disciples to go and fish and in the mouth of the fish would be a coin for the taxes. Jesus is showing us that often our answer is closer than we think and often found in the simple things of life right around us. These simple solutions bring us peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus guarded His heart and mind by getting alone with the Father and spending time in prayer. This kept Him at peace. Why is peace so important?
God's glory resides in a place of rest and peace. When Solomon dedicated the temple he prayed for God to come to His place of rest. When this happened, the glory of God fell, the fire consumed the sacrifice, and God's presence filled the temple. If we want God's presence and glory to fill our ministry and life, we must remain in a place of rest and peace. Psalms 91 is my theme for this year. Ps 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the'shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD,'He is my refuge and my fortress;My God, in Him I will trust.'"
When I began to loose my peace and the peace of God is not residing in me, I stop and quite myself, get alone with God, began to pray and seek His face and renew my trust in Him. His peace returns. "Great peace of they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them". Also stay in the word of God, it brings His peace to our hearts and minds.
