Got peace?

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Got peace?

We've all seen the billboards with a picture of some well known personality sporting a "milk mustache" and asking, "Got Milk?". I don't know all the thoughts of the creator behind this ad campaign, but I know one of the aims is to impress in our minds the thought that we will be like those famous people if we drink milk. It's a subtle, but effective insinuation. We want to be like people who have or are the things we want, or, think we do.

Can anyone see something on your outer appearance that makes them want to have what you do, or, does the scared, stressed, sour, or sad look on your face make them think, "if that's what Jesus brings into a life, I don't want Him!"? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Friend? If your answer is, "Yes!", then you have the very source of peace the world needs. You are protected, provided for, prayed over, prepared, etc., by and through the very Creator and Sustainer of all things. Nothing can come at you and win, for you are more than a conqueror over all. That should, and will, if you let it, bring you peace and joy like the world cannot know apart from a personal relationship with Him.

There is a simple little song that we need to sing and implement as Christian adults. (Now if you search the internet for "peace" songs, all you will get is a long list of anti-war songs. The absence of war is not peace.)

I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

That simple song reminds us that peace, love, and joy are a part of us, through the gift of God's Son. I realize, from my own many experiences, there are times we aren't focused on Him, so the "peace, love, joy" doesn't register as strongly, but as a general rule, it should. That outer evidence is what is going to put the hook in the people around you, drawing them to desire Who you have that brings and sustains those things in you. There is more than one type of peace, but for the purpose of this message, I will just mention two: peace with God, and, the peace of God.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep (garrison) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phillipians 4:6-9)

These two Scripture passages may say it a little differently, but their message is the same. They both tell us if we will focus on God instead of our problems and adversaries, we will have the peace of God. I realize this appears to be a very simplistic statement and almost too easy to be true, but it's not. It's not the promise they make that is the problem, but our own pride and weakness breaks the link. We don't want to let go of the reins and give them to God. Our reasons may vary, but they all point back to the fact we tend to trust our selves and what we can see, rather than trust God and what we cannot see. The problem with that is, we lose and we forfeit the peace of God. Think about it: would you rather stay "in charge" and continue to worry and fret because down deep you know you absolutely cannot handle things, or, give it over into God's hands and rest, knowing HE is perfectly able and willing?