Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Peace - Your Testimony In Times Of Trouble

My Utmost For His Highest
 
‘Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security. With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him?’ CHAMBERS
 
What are you troubled about? Health, relationships, finances, career?  Godly peace is not the absence of turmoil.  We live in a fallen world. Our actions and the actions of others bring consequences.  But in the midst of the storm, you can be at peace.  When the disciples were in the boat in the midst of the storm, Jesus was sleeping.  (Luke 8:22-25) You would think that they would have gotten the idea that the situation was not as desperate as they were imaging. Instead they woke Jesus up to tell him they were going to drown.  We lose perspective like that.  We know who God is.  We know where He is.  We know there is nothing He cannot do, yet .. we worry .. not because of Him but because we are trusting in ourselves.  Jesus calmed the storm .. but He does not always do that .. sometimes we must ride the storm out … But we are not alone … Jesus can give us peace even though our world is crumbling around us.  John 14:27 “Peace I (Jesus) 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.”
 
The peace Jesus gives us, the fruit of the Spirit in us, makes no sense to the world … but it is a light that draws other to Jesus.  When you lift Jesus up through your life .. by showing His peace in your problems … people are drawn to God. John 12:32 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Your testimony in times of trouble is what the world needs to see. ELGIN
 
“The Anchor Holds” Words and music by Lawrence Chewning and Ray Boltz
 
“I have journeyed  Through the long, dark night  Out on the open sea
By faith alone,  Sight unknown,  And yet His eyes were watching me
 
The anchor holds,  Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds,  Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees,  As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds. In spite of the storm”
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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