“The Comfort of Peace”

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” II Thess. 3:16

“I’ve come that you might have peace; not as the world gives but that only I can give.” Jn. 14:27

“I will give peace to the one who’s mind is fixed on me.” Is. 26:3

“The peace of God will transcend all understanding and guard your hearts and minds.” Phil. 4:7

“Blessed are the Peace Makers for they will be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9

They say that a human’s greatest desire is to have and obtain peace. And, most psychologist would tell us that mankind’s desire to have peace falls into one or more of these categories: (1) Peace with God. (2) Peace with one’s self. (3) And Peace with others. Over the next five weeks I want to share with you practicalities on how to make and obtain peace in these three categories. Week 1 will be: Face It! You can’t fix what you won’t face. Week 2 will be: Fix It! Fix what needs to be fixed, but keep the main thing the main thing and don’t get distracted with what doesn’t matter. Week 3 will be: Forfeit It! Sometimes you have to forfeit your feelings! If you don’t forfeit what you feel and deal with reality, you will end up frustrated and fatigued in your pursuit for peace. Week 4 will be: Find It! Sometimes you have to find a way to make it work, so that you can work it out. Week 5 will be: Forget It! It is one thing to forgive, but  sometimes you need to forget about it in order to have peace!

> Let’s look at week 1:

How Do You Strive to Make Peace?

You can’t fix what you won’t face.

12 Ways to Face It!

1. Ask God for wisdom and a way.
2. Make the first move if no one is else is moving and you feel impressed to move.
3. Don’t wait on someone else to make the first move; especially if you are the one in the wrong.
4. Don’t accuse or excuse.
5. Don’t build hateful or hurtful opinions when you don’t know all the facts.
6. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
7. Know that sometimes the only thing you can do is keep the peace; but don’t let it steal your joy or peace in the process.
8. Realize making peace is not contingent upon you alone.
9. Focus on the person more than the problem.
10. Focus on reconciliation more than being right.
11. Stop talking and start listening.
12. Quit confessing what needs to be forgotten.

Peace is an atmosphere that is produced by proper patterns that embodies a Spirit-Led and Christ-Centered life.

To be a peace-maker means that you produce peace in situations, circumstances and in the lives of others by giving what you have received from God first.

Sometimes you have to face it to fix it, but sometimes you have to release it to receive true peace.

“Shining Lights”

Philippians 2:14-15: Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may be blameless and harmless, sons of God, without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.

I read this scripture a couple of Sundays ago as I was waiting for for church to start. I’ve read it many times and have also seen verse fourteen used many times in various applications. It is a challenging verse! I’ve  often said that I could spend the rest of my life working on just one truth or principal from God’s Word and this could be one of those principals. Do ALL THINGS without murmuring or disputing. Wow! You mean all things? Even those things that I don’t like? Even those things that aren’t fair? Really? Then to top it off, Paul goes on to say that if we do this, we will be blameless and harmless, sons of God without fault. He even finishes the verse off by saying that we would be like shining lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. In other words, if we do things without complaining and disputing we will be  lights in dark and perverse places.

Paul uses words in the passage that are intriguing. The original text uses the word complain instead of murmur, but when you look the word up it is defined as murmuring. It’s definition is: murmuring; grudging. A secret debate. A secret displeasure not openly acknowledged or declared. In other words, Paul is saying don’t complain quietly or under your breath. This word to me means complaining silently to one’s self in a negative or derogatory manner or expression. Compliant, frustration and disgust being expressed under your breath for what you are having to do. The next word is disputing and it is similar because it refers to reasoning, but reasoning- within one’s self. In the definition it actually says: imagine a man having a debate with himself while questioning what is truth. So, these words don’t necessarily even include someone else. It just means you and I murmuring and arguing within our own being about the truth of whatever it is that we may be doing. But, Paul says, “DO ALL things  without complaining or disputing!”  I could spend the rest of my life working on this one principal of truth, how about you?

9 Ways To Show Love and Be A Shining Light in a Dark Place:

1. Listen without interrupting.

2. Speak without accusing.

3. Give without expecting.

4. Pray without ceasing.

5. Answer without arguing.

6. Share without griping.

7. Enjoy without complaining.

8. Forgive without punishing.

9. Disagree without disrespecting.

– Bishop Tony Miller

“The Fight of Faith”

Proverbs 3:5-6: God doesn’t desire for us to understand everything He desires that we trust Him.

• Trust is Faith.
• @robalancollins: “Fear and feelings can be fatal to faith.”
• @keithcraft: “Faith is believing God’s way is best.”

Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 that he had fought the good fight of faith and because of that there was a crown of righteousness awaiting him in heaven. Heaven is the ultimate reward for those who have kept the faith and have believed. Faith is a fight worth fighting and it has great rewards. The greatest battle in regard to faith is trusting God in spite of what you may see or feel in this present moment. Fear and pride are unwanted companions that attack trust. Fear causes us to lag behind and pride causes us to run ahead. I believe that God wants us to trust Him and to keep the faith by keeping in step with Him, not lagging behind or moving ahead. You must have faith that God is with you and that He is fighting for you!

Joshua 10 tells us how Joshua defeated the enemy armies because God was with him. It also tells how he prayed and the sun stood still, as well as the moon. But, there were 5 kings who ran and and hid in a cave. (vs. 16-27) Those kings were: 1. King of Jerusalem 2. King of Hebron 3. King of Jamath 4. King of Lacish 5. King of Eglon. Kings rule – but these kings hid. These 5 kings represent what tries to rule from a hidden state, instead of from a public authority or dominion. They were hiding out waiting to  defeat Joshua at just the right time. When Joshua had the kings brought out of the cave he had his soldiers put their foot on the neck of each king. Sometimes you have to take authority over what is trying to take authority over you. There were 5 kings who had dominion, but instead they hid in a cave. We do the same things at times. We allow those things that are hidden, rule us.

We have 5 senses and those senses can control us at times if we let them. They hide out in the caverns and caves of our soul waiting for just the right time to defeat us. Our 5 senses are used to help us determine what is going on in our world. God gave us our senses for a reason, but when we are controlled by our senses rather than our faith in God – they will rule us, and ultimately defeat us. Just like the 5 kings in the cave! Kings rule. And we must decide whether we are going to be ruled by the 5 kings of our senses or by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of our life and faith! The five kings are our flesh, not our faith, they are our senses, not our Savoir. These kings can be what we: 1)See. 2)Hear. 3) Smell. 4) Taste. 5) Touch. You can’t always trust your feelings!  You can’t always trust your senses! But, you can trust God and you can put your faith in Him, because He is faithful

1. Are you controlled by what you Smell? (something smells funny)
God’s desire is that when you go through something you don’t come out smelling like it: The 3 Hebrew Children in Daniel 3- “didn’t even smell like smoke.” They were thrown in the fire bound, but what bound them was burnt up. They came through the fire better – not bitter! If we are going to come through fires and trails of life and not smell like it, we are going to have not allow how we feel dictate how we respond. Nonetheless, here’s the good news: God steps into the areas of our life that stinks, even if you feel like it’s too late. In Luke 11 Mary and Martha said, “It’s too late our brother Lazarus stinketh!” But, Jesus called him forth and he lived! You may need to put your foot on the neck of something that doesn’t quite smell right, something that stinks and declare in faith: “This situation may stink, but that doesn’t stop God and with Him all things are possible and it is never too late!

2. Are you controlled by what you Touch (Feel)? (Feelings…)
God desires for you to be moved by Him not just what you feel. “Don’t be so touchy”- refers to the fallacy of your feelings that sometimes misunderstand and reacts in an impulsive way to situations. In Genesis 27 Jacob went to his father pretending to be Esau. His father said, “Come here so I can touch you.” Then he said, “You sound like Jacob, but you feel like Esau.” Isaac trusted what he had felt, over what he had heard. Romans 10:27 says, “Faith comes by hearing.” You may have to put your foot on the neck of how you feel and declare: “It’s not all about how I feel, it’s about what I know and I know whom I’ve believed in and I’m persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him until that day!”

3. Are you controlled by what you See? (seeing is believing)
God wants you to see His face above what you are faced with. Sight can be a powerful king that controls you through your senses. However, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In Genesis37 Jacob was old when his sons brought him the coat they he had made for Joseph. It had been stripped from Joseph when they threw him in the pit. It was torn apart and splattered with blood. This shows it is possible to put faith in a lie. Jacob believed Joseph was dead when in fact he was very much alive and in a position to bless his family in their time of need.  Jacob lived all those years in grief because he believed a lie. What are you believing? In 2Kings 6, Elisha prayed and asked for their eyes of his servant to be opened so that he could see the host of angel armies that were surrounding them – the angels surrounding them were more than the enemies that they were facing.  You may need to to put your foot on the neck of what you see and declare: “God, above everything I see – help me to see you, first and foremost!”

4. Are you controlled by what you Hear? (I heard that.)
God wants you to hear His voice above the voice of everything else. The scripture tells us to: “Be still and know that I am God.” Elisha heard the sound of rain in the midst of famine. There are many voices that need silenced: 1. The voice of self. 2. The voice of others. 3. The voice of the devil. 4. The voice of doubt. and 5. The voice of fear. You may need to put your foot on the neck of what you hear and declare: “God help me to hear you above all of the other voices and noises that are keeping me from hearing you!”

5. What do you Taste? (taste and see that the Lord is good)
Don’t allow life to leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Don’t allow life to make you cynical and bitter. You may need to put your foot on the neck of what you taste and declare: “God is good all the time. And, all though I have reason to be disappointed, I refuse to allow life to leave me stale, sour or bitter. That’s because I have tasted of the Lord and He is good!”

The problem with our senses is sometimes we can’t trust them. In life we are not meant to understand everything, but it is God’s desire that we trust Him in spite of what we: 1. Smell. 2. Touch. 3. See. 4. Hear and 5. Taste. Trust is faith! Our senses will try to rule us and rob us of our faith. They hide out in the caverns and caves of our souls and wait for the opportune time to defeat us. Nonetheless, we are victorious as we put our faith in God and declare and believe that His way is best. Don’t lag behind in fear or step ahead in pride. Just trust God and stay in faith. You can trust Him, because He is faithful!

Continuing Thought for the Week [5.28.21]

I Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Main Thought for the Week:

First of all, let me start off by saying that I don’t feel that it is wrong to have money or material things. I also don’t feel that money is evil in and of itself either. I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that the quest of anything without God being the center source of fulfillment and joy, can be a trap. I also believe that He is saying, allow God to be the source of all that you have or desire to have. Take note that in verse thirteen of this same chapter Paul says this to Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” In other words, pursue the things of God, those things that produce true fulfillment. Food will run out. Clothes will wear out. Money will will cease to be available at times. Houses will eventually fall down and cars will rust or fall apart after a period of time. Most things don’t last forever and being content with things, especially things that are temporal and fleeting doesn’t last forever either. Contentment is a choice and this week I want to talk to you about 5 ways that you can learn to be content.

 5 Ways to Learn to be Content:

1. Realize that contentment doesn’t come naturally for most.
2. Understand that there is a difference in being content and in being satisfied.
3. Be thankful for what you have.
4. Don’t compare.
5. Know that contentment is God’s plan for you.

Now let’s look at number five> 5. Know that contentment is God’s plan for you. Would you want your children to not feel fulfilled? Would you want your children to be in turmoil? Would you want your children to feel discontent? Me either! So what makes you think that God would want you as His child to not feel peaceful, fulfilled and content. I believe that it is God’s plan for us as His children to feel a sense of contentment in our everyday lives. God has a plan and He has a purpose. A time and a place for everything. Therefore, when you understand time and seasons; you envy know one. When you understand time and seasons you will be more content! And you will become more of a peaceful contented person in the process of experiencing the ebb and flow of life. Never forget this familiar phrase: “If it costs you your peace; it’s too expensive.” If your focus is on God and His plan and His purpose and His provision, than you will live a life that is more consistently content. Godliness with *contentment *(surety, sufficiency, a condition where no support or aid is needed, a mind contented with it’s lot) is great gain. See you next week!     

Key #1: Focus on what you do have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have!

Key #2: If you’re never satisfied with what you have, you won’t be satisfied with what you get.

Key #3: God knows what you need, but He wants to know if you are thankful for what you have.

Key #4: Don’t dare compare!

Key #5: Godliness with contentment is great gain!

Continuing Thought for the Week [5.27.21]

I Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Main Thought for the Week:

First of all, let me start off by saying that I don’t feel that it is wrong to have money or material things. I also don’t feel that money is evil in and of itself either. I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that the quest of anything without God being the center source of fulfillment and joy, can be a trap. I also believe that He is saying, allow God to be the source of all that you have or desire to have. Take note that in verse thirteen of this same chapter Paul says this to Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” In other words, pursue the things of God, those things that produce true fulfillment. Food will run out. Clothes will wear out. Money will will cease to be available at times. Houses will eventually fall down and cars will rust or fall apart after a period of time. Most things don’t last forever and being content with things, especially things that are temporal and fleeting doesn’t last forever either. Contentment is a choice and this week I want to talk to you about 5 ways that you can learn to be content.

 5 Ways to Learn to be Content:

1. Realize that contentment doesn’t come naturally for most.
2. Understand that there is a difference in being content and in being satisfied.
3. Be thankful for what you have.
4. Don’t compare.
5. Know that contentment is God’s plan for you.

Now let’s look at number four> 4. Don’t compare. Comparing is a sure way to rob you of your joy and it is a sure way for your peace to be taken. I like to say this: Don’t dare compare! If you are ever going to have a sense of contentment- you can’t compare who you are or what you have with who someone else is or with what someone else has. Have you ever compared yourself to someone else? Me too. We all have a tendency to compare. We compare everything from how well we do something, to how well we look or don’t look. We also compare what we do have and what we don’t have. The problem is, comparing magnifies insecurities and promotes criticism. It also steals your peace and it leaves you feeling discontented. I want you to know that you are wonderfully made. You are lacking nothing and everything that you have is from God. What you possess is unique. You are unique. I like to say it this way: your uniqueness is God’s expression. God has a plan and you have a purpose. Don’t compare yourself to anything or anyone. Be who you are where you are. When you learn to be grateful for who you are and for what you have- comparison will begin to dissipate and contentment will become a new reality for you. Don’t compare! Be content. See you tomorrow!

Key #1: Focus on what you do have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have!

Key #2: If you’re never satisfied with what you have, you won’t be satisfied with what you get.

Key #3: God knows what you need, but He wants to know if you are thankful for what you have.

Key #4: Don’t dare compare!

Continuing Thought for the Week [5.26.21]

I Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Main Thought for the Week:

First of all, let me start off by saying that I don’t feel that it is wrong to have money or material things. I also don’t feel that money is evil in and of itself either. I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that the quest of anything without God being the center source of fulfillment and joy, can be a trap. I also believe that He is saying, allow God to be the source of all that you have or desire to have. Take note that in verse thirteen of this same chapter Paul says this to Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” In other words, pursue the things of God, those things that produce true fulfillment. Food will run out. Clothes will wear out. Money will will cease to be available at times. Houses will eventually fall down and cars will rust or fall apart after a period of time. Most things don’t last forever and being content with things, especially things that are temporal and fleeting doesn’t last forever either. Contentment is a choice and this week I want to talk to you about 5 ways that you can learn to be content.

 5 Ways to Learn to be Content:

1. Realize that contentment doesn’t come naturally for most.
2. Understand that there is a difference in being content and in being satisfied.
3. Be thankful for what you have.
4. Don’t compare.
5. Know that contentment is God’s plan for you.

Now let’s look at number three> 3. Be thankful for what you have. Ron Carpenter Jr. says that gratitude is always the gateway for more. In other words: are you thankful for what you have? Because if you are, it will be an indicator that you will be thankful for more as well. Can you relate? Isn’t it more difficult to do something for someone who is not thankful for what you’ve already done for them or that is not thankful for what you have given them. Gratefulness, that is being thankful, many times is a matter of perspective. For example, everyone of us could probably think of something that we would desire to have. However, just because you have the desire for something new or different, that doesn’t mean that you can’t be thankful for what you already have. Be thankful for what you have, even if it is not enough or, even if it is not what you truly desire to have. Be thankful and don’t take anyone or anything for granted. Be thankful and realize that everything that you have is from God. And, remember, God already know what you need, but, He may just be waiting to see if you are thankful for what you already have. If you are ever going to be content, you will have to begin by being thankful for what you already have! See you tomorrow!

Key #1: Focus on what you do have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have!

Key #2: If you’re never satisfied with what you have, you won’t be satisfied with what you get.

Key #3: God knows what you need, but He wants to know if you are thankful for what you have.

Continuing Thought for the Week [5.25.21]

I Timothy 6:6-10: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Main Thought for the Week:

First of all, let me start off by saying that I don’t feel that it is wrong to have money or material things. I also don’t feel that money is evil in and of itself either. I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that the quest of anything without God being the center source of fulfillment and joy, can be a trap. I also believe that He is saying, allow God to be the source of all that you have or desire to have. Take note that in verse thirteen of this same chapter Paul says this to Timothy: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” In other words, pursue the things of God, those things that produce true fulfillment. Food will run out. Clothes will wear out. Money will will cease to be available at times. Houses will eventually fall down and cars will rust or fall apart after a period of time. Most things don’t last forever and being content with things, especially things that are temporal and fleeting doesn’t last forever either. Contentment is a choice and this week I want to talk to you about 5 ways that you can learn to be content.

 5 Ways to Learn to be Content:

1. Realize that contentment doesn’t come naturally for most.
2. Understand that there is a difference in being content and in being satisfied.
3. Be thankful for what you have.
4. Don’t compare.
5. Know that contentment is God’s plan for you.

So, let’s look at number two> 2. Understand that there is a difference in being content and in being satisfied. To be satisfied means that you are content or fulfilled, but usually only for the moment. Content however, means that you limit or control your own requirements, desires or actions. Meaning, you don’t have to continually strive for more, because you know that your sense of self worth and value doesn’t come from just having more of something. Especially something that doesn’t really satisfy or fulfill anyway. Satisfaction is momentary. Contentment is continual. Satisfaction is appeased outwardly. Contentment is something that is felt, sensed and known inwardly. If you are never satisfied with what you have, chances are, you won’t be satisfied with what you get. Remember yesterday how we talked about Paul saying in Philippians 4:11 that he doesn’t speak in regard to want? But, that he has learned that whatever state that he is in to be content. I pray that you and I will be able to say the same thing. Someone said that the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence- but it also may be artificial turf. Don’t seek after things that won’t satisfy in the long run. Learn in whatever state that you may find yourself in- to be content. It is my prayer that as we journey through this week that you will continue to find a greater sense of peace and contentment in your life! See you tomorrow.

Key #1: Focus on what you do have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have!

Key #2: If you’re never satisfied with what you have, you won’t be satisfied with what you get.