How To Be At Peace, Part 4

What would you do to have peace so powerful that it:

• -Transcends your circumstances,
• -Produces better results that your best-laid plans,
• -Is more effective at removing anxiety than any intellectual effort, meditation or power of reasoning?

Over the past few weeks we’ve been talking about how to be at peace and last week, we looked at the life of a Christian religious figure, The Apostle Paul. I look to him as an example of how to find peace since, historically, you can verify that this guy was persecuted, hunted down and executed for his faith. How do your troubles compare to these? In the midst of this, Paul was able to share how he had found PEACE that is beyond comprehension (surpasses all understanding) and which settled both in his heart and his mind. What would you do to find that kind of peace?
   
In the next two (last two) parts of our study we’ll look at the things Paul said we could focus on to help bring peace, but please allow me to share Paul’s answer to the search for peace, in his own words. You can weigh the merit of what he said, but if he was being truthful about the peace he found in the midst of the turmoil and destruction in his life, I want to know his secret.
   
Paul challenged people instead of worrying, to ask God for help (last week’s discussion). Paul said for him, these are the results he achieved: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus.”  Paul made 4 claims here about the peace that he had found:

1. It was the very peace of God. Not peace with God, but the very peace of God’s own eternal being, the peace, calm and serenity that God himself has.
2. It surpasses understanding. It is more than a mind can really comprehend. It is able to produce better results than the best planning, effort, meditation or reasoning.
3. It is a DEEP peace the permeates both the mind and heart.
4. It is found only in Christ Jesus...by submitting one’s life to God’s authority.

   
Fortunately God gives us all a free will and a choice about choosing or rejecting this last requirement, but it is a requirement nonetheless for His peace. What would YOU be willing to do for this kind of peace? I am praying for you this week.
   
Your service is appreciated, 
Pastor Rob
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How To Be At Peace series Part 1  Part 2  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5