March 18, 2018

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

When a perfect storm blows into your life your stress level goes through the roof and anxiety tries to take you hostage.

I call your attention to the first five words of this verse "AND THE PEACE OF GOD"! Your first defense against anxiety is not you trying to muster up some peace of mind but it is God downloading HIS peace into your heart, mind and spirit. This peace is HIS personal peace and in fact, it is His Person - the Holy Spirit!

The original language gives us encouraging insights into God's personal and powerful peace. Here is the breakdown of those words:

“huperecho” = compound word “huper” (Over, above, beyond) and “echo” (I have, I possess) = Literally – God’s peace is so above, so superior, so elevated, so excellent that no one peace can be compared to it, nothing else is even close!

GOD’S PEACE IS BIGGER THAN LIFE!

“nous” = “mind” but not just in terms of where you think or reason or remember but also the center of your emotion and will! Today we might call it your core or the center of your being.

GOD’S PEACE CAN CONTROL YOUR CONTROL CENTER!

“phroureo” = soldiers, sentries, security detail who stand guard constantly and continually over the entrance to your control center.

So, literally translated Philippians 4:7 goes like this, “And the peace of God – a peace that is so wonderful that is cannot be compared to any other known type of peace; a peace that stands in a category by itself rising far above and goes beyond anything the human mind could ever think, reason, imagine or produce by itself – will stand at the entrance of your heart and mind, working like a guard to control, monitor, and screen everything that tries to gain access to your mind, heart and emotions”

GOD’S PEACE BECOMES YOUR PEACE!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU THINK GOD WORRIES OR GETS ANXIOUS?

DON'T YOU THINK HIS PEACE CAN KEEP YOU FROM BECOMING ANXIOUS?

March 17, 2018

Do you recognize the image in the picture above?

That is the "No-Name" hurricane of Halloween 1991. It was not given a name so as to not confuse it with a previously named storm, Hurricane Grace. Grace was weakening as it moved north up the U. S. coast and it was absorbed by a powerful nor'easter off of the coast of Canada. A deep low pressure system swallowed up by a deeper and stronger low pressure system created what was called "The Perfect Storm" and it wreaked havoc from Nova Scotia all the way down to Puerto Rico claiming 13 lives and doing an estimated $200 million dollars in damage.

The photo above is what the storm looked like from a satellite in earth orbit. It looked much different for those unfortunate enough to be caught out on the Atlantic in record high waves. One wave measured 100.7 feet high and it was such a wave that swamped the fishing vessel Andrea Gail killing the crew of six.

I have been through a few times in my life when I felt like the Andrea Gail caught in the perfect storm. Tossed about on raging waves of several devastating life events rolling in at the same time.

A struggling marriage complicated by overwhelming financial pressures intensified by the loss of your job. Or, a devastating health diagnosis following the news your teenager was caught with drugs at school on the heals of your car blowing an engine. Trouble comes in waves at times and forms the perfect storm that threatens to take you under.

Is there any hope for surviving such a when it blows into your life?

Paul thought so. In fact, he knew so because he had survived several shipwrecks on the stormy Mediterranean Sea. Once he was in a fierce storm on rolling seas and torrents of rain for two weeks without relief. Another time he was on the sea clinging to broken timber from his wrecked ship for a day and a half.

In those anxious and stress filled moments, Paul learned some life lessons or, should I say eternal life lessons. He learned that the God to Whom he had surrendered his life not only was well able to control his life but also well able to calm the storm. And before His God stilled the storm around him He first quieted the storm within him.

So when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "No temptation(trial) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted (tried, tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, (tried, tested) he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." I Corinthians 10:13 he had learned from harrowing experiences that the God Who controlled him also had control of the storm!

And when he declared, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 he had been through some storms and learned that a good God has the power to make a super storm into a stepping stone!

After enduring beatings and stoning and shipwrecks and storms and snake bites and imprisonments and betrayals and abandonment and now chained to a Roman guard awaiting execution Paul was able to rise above the storm of doubt, defeat and despair to testify "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Do you know that peace?

Have you surrendered control of your life to the God Who controls the storm?

And while the storm rages around you tossing and threatening will you ask Him to still the storm within you until He chooses to calm the storm around you?

As The Storm Clouds Gather...

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

When you promise something as significant as the peace that comes from God, the peace that only He can give, you had better know what you are talking about.

Assuring people that they can experience a supernatural level of peace in the midst of painful experiences would be extremely cruel if it cannot be proven in actual seasons of suffering.

Here are two more powerful and precious promises that Paul gave to the Christians at Corinth and at Rome.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[ beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." I Corinthians 10:13

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Both of these promises testify to the faithfulness of God in times of struggle and suffering. They also confirm the fact that God was in control of his life when his life seemed out of control.

He makes two confident statements about God's involvement in his trials:

1) God knew the limits of Paul's strength and endurance when He permitted the evil one to test him and made sure the trials never tested him beyond those limits.

2) God has the sovereign power to turn the painful experiences of life into positive outcomes!

How could Paul make these bold claims with such confidence? How did he know about God's supernatural peace? How did was he so sure of God's power and sovereignty? 

The answer to each of those questions  is rooted in the personal life experiences the Apostle Paul had had. Paul had faced perils and painful suffering and opposition as he led the Church during chaotic days. And each time he experienced God's presence and power. And each time he discovered God was true to His promises. God is, indeed, sovereign and gracious!

Here is Paul's testimony of his sufferings:

"I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones,three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." II Corinthians 11:23-28 

God is in control of everyone of your storms as He was with Paul. He won't allow it to storm until you are equipped to weather it, just as He did with Paul. 

He will control the intensity of the storm so you can survive it and it will strengthen you, just as He did with Paul. He will come to you in the storm and bring His peace, just as He did with Paul.

Believe it as the storm clouds gather.

March 15, 2018

"If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Storms are frightening because they are powerful, destructive and far beyond your control. As a result you feel powerless and out of control. And in fact, you are!

When you are in the midst of a storm all you want is to get out of the storm immediately or as soon as possible. You are looking for a path out of the storm.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul, writing to the Christians at Philippi offers a path to peace. Notice, he doesn't offer a path out of the storm but a path to peace while you are in the storm!

What is that path to peace you may be wondering?

It is found in the previous verse:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

A path requires steps. The steps are clearly laid out for you!

1) Choose not to be overcome by anxiety

Jesus said to his anxious disciples, "Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me."

Feelings of fear or anxiety may not be a choice, but giving in to them is! Paul says, "Choose prayer over despair!"

2) In every situation choose not to be anxious

If you can choose not to give into anxiety once, you can choose not to every time! 

I've heard it said that if you do something consciously three times it becomes a habit! Worrying and fretting is a habit so why couldn't faith become a habit?

3) Choose prayer over despair

When you begin to feel anxious or fearful or out of control, choose to cast your anxiety on Christ! How? Through prayer!

How do I pray?

A simple way to remember prayer is the ACTS of prayer!

Adoration - begin by praising and worshiping God as you come into His presence

Confession - come into alignment with God by confessing the sins His Spirit convicts you of.

Thanksgiving - express gratitude to God for Who He is, for what He has done in your life, and for what He longs to do as you trust Him and allow Him His way with you!

Supplication - once you have aligned your heart, mind and spirit with God, you will know what to ask God for and how to ask Him! The key to supplication is to ask specifically! When you ask specifically you will recognize when God has answered your prayer and be encouraged!

The first step down the path to peace begins with a decision to prayer over despair!

Will you choose the path of panic or the path of prayer today?

A Perfect Storm

"If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:17

In October 1991, the “perfect storm” raged along the Atlantic coast from Canada to Puerto Rico. Damage from the storm totaled more than $200 million and killed thirteen people. That historic event prompted a Hollywood movie called "The Perfect Storm" which told about the tragic end of the vessel Andrea Gail and its crew.

If you saw the movie you have a much clearer image of how the "perfect" combination of a deep low pressure system, a torrential rain storm, and hurricane force wind that churned up killer waves were too much for a small fishing vessel to overcome. The experienced mariners could have dealt with any single one of those elements but the combination of the three overpowered their vessel. All were lost at sea.

One storm in life can make you anxious. The loss of a job. A troubling health diagnosis from your doctor. Your spouse asking for a divorce. Learning your teen is doing drugs. Losing a parent.

As heart-breaking and devastating any one of those experiences storms come in waves. You lose your job and get the bad diagnosis. Your mother dies and your teen gets arrested for shop-lifting. You total your car and your insurance had lapsed.

Your ship is taking on water and you don't see any way to keep it afloat amid the pounding waves.

And the "peace of God" will keep you calm in those storms?

Yes. Yes it will!

The peace of God IS God! He is near, remember?

He created the storms and His Son, Jesus, calmed the storms. With just a word from Jesus the storm was calmed! Remember that word? Peace was the word and peace is what happened!

He is the Perfect calm for the "perfect storm" when it comes.

Storms may be out of your control but they are never out of His control. So you need to be under His control, too.

Are you?

March 13, 2018

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44

What is the kingdom of heaven and why did this man in the parable consider it worth selling everything to obtain it?

Let's take some time to think about that important question.

First, the kingdom of heaven is where ever God reigns in the hearts of believers. God reigns in those who place their faith in Him, love Him with all their heart and live in obedience to His Word.

Where God reigns there is peace and joy and justice! When God reigns there is safety and security!

So, the kingdom is where God reigns AND where there is spiritual relationship with Him through Christ. Those who live in His kingdom live according to His will in order to please Him and become like Him. Living to please God allows you to receive His love.

What you be willing to give up to live under God's reign and in relationship with Him? Tell me what could be more valuable than that?

But there is more!

In the kingdom of heaven there is righteousness! Righteousness is being right with God and trying to be right with others while making right decisions according to the Word of God.

What is the alternative to being right? It is being "not right" or wrong. When you are right you get to go to the right place when you die.

Would you rather be right or wrong? What price would you place on being right?

Why would you sell everything to purchase the kingdom of God? What is there in this kingdom that is worthy of such a high price tag?

In the kingdom there is the reign of God and there is a relationship with God and the righteousness of God!

But there is still more!

There is a reward in the kingdom of heaven! What IS that reward?

The reward is God! The reward is heaven! Heaven is being in the presence of God forever! The reward is spending forever in a righteous place with other righteous people!

Jesus told this parable to illustrate the primacy and the urgency of making sure to be in a personal saving spiritual relationship with God! The man in this story saw the value of this "pearl of great price" and considered it more valuable than everything else that he possessed.

What do you value in life? What do you hold most dear? Is it more valuable than the kingdom of heaven? What else can you obtain that when you have it you will have all that you will ever need?

March 12, 2018

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44 

What determines the value of an object?

Is it what you think it is worth?

Is it what it's worth to you?

Is it what you wish someone would give you for it?

Is it what Consumer's Report says you should get for it?

Ultimately, the value of an item is determined by what someone is willing to pay you for it.

You know that from going to yard sales or from buying and selling on eBay. The market drives the value.

That is the point of this parable Jesus is telling.

What determines the value of God's kingdom?

Jesus did!

That's right! When Jesus offered Himself up as a sacrifice on the cross to redeem it and to redeem us, He attached the price tag to the kingdom.

If you want to enter the kingdom of God it will cost you everything! You must commit to loving God more than anything else in your life to take possession of His kingdom.

There are no discounts or mark downs or clearance sales in the kingdom of God. It is either sell out or miss out.

In sharing this parable Jesus is posting a sign that says, "Casual Christians need not apply!"

God gave His Son to purchase the kingdom and the Son gave His life.

Are you willing to sell out in order to get in?