The Peace of God

I've been doing a little mini study on the peace of God recently. I don't know why, probably it's a bit on my co-current study on issues of the heart, patterns of the mind.

The peace of God is a powerful study. Pity I don't know too much about it. But while I was doing a study on it, for some strange reason, I felt further away from the peace of God. Like there was at one time, I for some strange reason had this thought in my mind concerning an assignment, whether I did it well, or maybe I flopped it, which it made me thought about the possibilities of even needing to stay back another semester just to graduate. Wouldn't sound too bad to be honest, as I would fulfill my 2 years studying here and could apply for my PR.

But I don't want to fail, I don't want to be held back. And it was very strange, somewhat, like the thing I am currently reading up on, I am being put to the test. So I held fast, started to worship, prayed, told whatever spirit that is not of God to begone, and the fear allured. I felt peace.

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart,for it is the wellspring of life.

The book of proverbs is not only an interesting book of philosophy, but it is also the knowledge of perhaps the 2nd wisest man in the world. The wisest is definitely Jesus! Hee hee. As he has the greatest search engine within him, the Holy Spirit. And so do we. But like Pastor Matt says, that we want to be lead, we want to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

To submit to Christ, is to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and let him be our guide in all expects of our life as he knows ALL the answers. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

I don't know what are the full extent of fear and what are its causes. But I do know that fear causes people to grow old fast, causes people to die. Stress and fear are the same thing, just being put in another word that sounds more matured, and acceptable. We as humans aren't meant to live in fear. Though there is uncertainty and mystery in life, thus fear is not believing in the goodness of God in our life's circumstances. It is partnering with a spirit of unbelief that will only hinder us from hearing when God is giving us the solutions.

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

There is no fear in love. If we are continually aware of the perfect love of God, we should not fear. Like Jesus, in the boat, amidst the storm, the disciples are screaming, wailing in fear. But Jesus could sleep in the boat, As there are no storms in him. Thus, he could say to the storms, peace be still. I like what Pastor Bill Johnson says that "My internal reality defines the nature of my external reality. If I prosper in my heart, I will prosper". I can only Give what I have. If we have peace in our heart, with Christ has already given us, and we lay hold and claim it, we are able to manifest the peace of God speaking forth into our circumstance.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

To be continually aware of the perfect love of God is to know that you are totally redeemed from the sin and death. There is no more punishment awaiting the children of God, as the blood of Christ has covered all sins. So from God, what awaits is only the blessings and grace. Yes, there is moments of training and correction. But this is not done by sickness or disease, neither poverty or adverse sufferings. There are times, God allows the shadows of these into our lives, but it is never to test us above what we cannot bear. As God is a good God. God does not tempt us with evil. (James 1:13).

Perfect love drives out fear, as amidst the deepest darkest circumstance, the knowing that we are in the palms of his hands, and if we only seek him for the answers to our problems, stand fast and believe in the coming of His glory, He is our salvation. Why should there be worry, if you are in the knowing that your life is in his hands, and he loves so much. Thus, the knowledge of his love in our life, would bring us peace, as we know that he is above the storms.

There are times, that we feel like Peter walking on water, when we look away we are sinking, we sink and sink until the waters are all around us, only our head is above the water. But Jesus is there, we will not go under. He will lift us up, and not only lift us up to walk on water, he promises us to lift us up above the storms. Above the clouds. He is absolutely good.

Phillipians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Praise be to God for this absolutely terrific and pregnant with power verse. Bring everything to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving. I'm currently reading up on thanksgiving and praise right now. To praise and give thanks amidst circumstance, is to stand on faith, to thank God for the circumstances in life, that though it might not be comfortable, but adverse circumstance unveils the issues of the heart, the truth of the person, and it is an invitation into greatness.

To rejoice amidst circumstance is the opportunity to rise out and live out an expression of faith, that we are more than conquerers. How can you be more than conquerers if there is nothing to conquer? God is good, his mercy endures forever, for it shall only be a day of evil, but we live in seasons of blessings.

And the promise of a peace which transcends understanding will guard our hearts and minds. This is not just some nice phrase that Paul uses. Even Jesus talks about it. I believe that when we are in dire circumstances, the very first thing we should always do is come to God with prayer, petition and thanksgiving as our first and main priority. We tend to go to God last when all options fail.

It is in the peace of God, that circumstances can change. The physical realm is a shadow of the spirit realm.