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| ... Trading the world's worry for God's peace | April 13, 2010 |
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Greetings!
I was listening to a Kenny Chesney song the other day entitled "Spirit Of A Storm". It is a great melody but a negative confession of a restless souls:
"There's a spirit of a storm in my soul
A restlessness that I can't seem to tame
Thunder and lightning follow everywhere I go
There's a spirit of a storm in my soul.
There's a hurricane that's raging through my blood
I can't find a way to calm the sea
Maybe I'll find someday the waters aren't so rushed
Right now they've got the best of me
And oh, it's been a long, long time
Since I had real peace of mind
So I'm just going to sit right here
In this old chair till this storm rolls by."
As I listened to the song, and even sang along, I began to actually feel the weight of despair and pain associated with the lyrics. I realized why the song is so popular as it captures the plight of this world without Jesus. We are a desperate and hurting people that live in a fallen world. As such, it is easy to get "caught" in the trap of this world and it's affairs and to lose hope. To combat this emotional attack we need to fight in faith and with God's Word. |
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The Original Peace Plan
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
~ Isaiah 26:3 ~
26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace 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.
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.
~ Philippians 4:6-7 ~ |
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Spiritual Weather Forecast - "Storms Ahead" ... go to Jesus for Shelter
Storms are a part of life on earth. We will hit bad times, rough times, hard times and difficulties. It is not a question of "if" but of "when". The song by Chesney captures the worldview of the storm very well but leaves hope as some chance occurrence. As people that follow God, we are assured of hope in Christ and peace in this life.
Peace is defined in dictionaries as the absence of war. In God's dictionary peace is not absence of anything but the presence of Jesus! "The peace that Jesus has provided through His life and death is a spiritual peace that is from and with God. Peace, in the spiritual sense, is a disposition of the soul and spirit. For example, we are at "peace" with God the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. And, we have peace in our spirit despite the pain of this life because of the peace we have with God!
The scriptures I shared today speak peace to the soul. They provide four truths:
- The provision of peace (Psalm 29:11),
- The promise of peace for those that trust God and not circumstances (Isaiah 26:3),
- The "otherworldliness" and source of peace (John 14;26-27), and,
- The recipe for peace ... prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
Friend, allow God's word to minister the knowledge of peace to your heart and mind. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and the only One who can deliver on the promise of peace. In reality, living in peace is a choice you have to make each day. The storms will come but peace has been provided. Choose life ... choose peace ... choose to pray ... choose Jesus!
If not, we'll, at least there is a good Kenny Chesney song you can listen to and a fellow world traveler you can affiliate with while you face the storm. It is my prayer that you ditch the song and follow Jesus ... the Prince of Peace! |
For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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