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How You Can Have Peace In Your Life

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:45:06 +0000

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

Our text tells us that those whose mind is “stayed on” the Lord will be kept in His perfect peace. What does it mean to keep our mind “stayed on” the Lord? It means at least three things:

1) It means making the Lord the center of your life

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(Col 3:2-4)

All around us people are seeking happiness in things such as money, social standing, fame, pleasures — all of which are broken vessels which hold no water. Only the One who made us can satisfy our heart’s desires.

Only after we trust Christ, and turn our focus to things above, (Col 3:2) do we begin to experience His “perfect peace”. This is because Christ “himself is our peace”. (Eph 2:14)

2) It means accepting whatever happens in this life

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

This begins by first recognizing that “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things,” (Rom. 11:36) and responding to this fact by saying, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”(1 Sam. 3:18).

When we do this, we’re trusting Christ to give us the strength and grace and guidence and protection we need, then His “perfect peace” will be ours in this world of sin and turmoil.

3) It means leaving the future entirely in God’s hands

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Pro 3:5-6)

All our days are in His hands (Psa. 31:15) and He has promised to never to leave nor forsake us! (Heb 13:5) There’s no need be fearful of what lies ahead.

We’re told to live our lives one day at a time and “not worry about tomorrow”. (Matt 6:34) When we do this, we’re trusting that our future is safe and secure in Christ, then His “perfect peace” will be ours.

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Bible Verses for Peace and Comfort

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:00:39 +0000

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
(Ps 46:1)

Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (Rom 4:20-21)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Ps 23)

Peace 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. (Jhn 14.27)

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. (Ps 42:11)

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this. (Ps 37:1-5)

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. (Ps 119.50)

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt 6:33)

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps 73:25-26)

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jhn 16.33)

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isa. 26:3)

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thes 3:3)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5.6-7)

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Ps 147:3)

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Eph 3:16-17)

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thes 3:5)

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thes 2:16-17)

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (2 Thes 3:16)

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Run Over By Shadows

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:31:12 +0000

Donald Grey Barnhouse, a famous bible teacher from the 1950′’s, lost his wife to cancer when she was in her thirties. On the way to the funeral his oldest daughter asked him, “If Jesus died for our sins why do we still die?”

At that moment a large truck roared past them. Barnhouse turned to his daughter and asked, “Tell me, sweetheart, would you rather be run over by that truck or its shadow?”

“By the shadow,” she replied, “it can’t hurt you.”

Barnhouse nodded and said, “Did you know that the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus in order that only its shadow might run over us? Your mother has not been overrun by death, but by the shadow of death. That is nothing to fear.”

“I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus told us, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:24) Christians hold fast to this promise.

That’s why everyone who call Christ their Savior, can say, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:55-57)

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How To Deal With Failure

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:52:38 +0000

“Rise, let us be going…” – Matthew 26:46

The disciples went to sleep when they should have kept awake, and when they realized what they had done it produced despair in them.

When we feel something is beyond repair it can cause us to despair, and we say, “It’s all over now, there’s no use trying any more.” If we think that this kind of despair is rare, we’re mistaken, it’s a very common human experience.

Whenever we realize that we’ve missed out on a magnificent opportunity Jesus Christ comes and says, “That opportunity is lost forever, you cannot alter it, but arise and go to the next thing.” Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ, and go out into the future with Him.

There are experiences like this in each of our lives. We find ourselves in despair and we cannot lift ourselves out of it. The disciples in this instance had done a downright unforgivable thing — they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus, but He said to them “Arise and do the next thing.”

If we’re Christians, what is the next thing? It’s to trust Him absolutely and to pray on the ground of His Redemption. Never let the sense of failure keep you from moving forward with Christ.

- Oswald Chambers

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Where To Put Your Troubles

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:02:56 +0000

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22

Put your troubles where you have put your sins. You have put your sins onto Jesus — put your troubles there also!

As soon as the trouble comes tell it to your Father in heaven! Remember, the longer you take telling your trouble to God, the longer you will wait for peace. The longer the frost lasts, the more likely the ponds will be frozen.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28)

Putting your burden upon the Lord is the way to soothe sorrow. Oh, troubled Christians, don’t dishonor your faith by always wearing a frown of concern. Come, put your burden upon the Lord.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)

You are staggering beneath a weight that He would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden would be nothing but a bit of dust to Him. The Almighty bends His shoulders, and He says to you, “Put your troubles here!”

- C.H. Spurgeon

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Strength For Today

admin — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:04:58 +0000

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

You can overcome whatever you’re going through — not by your strength, or your wisdom, or your prayers, or your experience — but through God’s grace.

His free, His matchless grace, independent of all works and efforts, independent of everything in us, flowing wholly and solely, fully and freely, out from Jesus to the needy, the guilty, the destitute, the undone.

You who are tried in worldly circumstances, remember what the Lord has said…

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

His grace is sufficient for you who are tempted.

“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 stand up under it.” (1 Cor 10:13)

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

His grace is sufficient for you who are burdened with family troubles, afflictions, and worry.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” (Ps 34:18-19)

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

Our weakness, helplessness, and inability are the very things which draw forth the power, the strength, and the grace of Jesus!

“My power is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)

Believer, never forget the words:

“My grace is sufficient for you!”

The free, the matchless, sovereign grace of God, is sufficient for all His people whatever state, or stage, or trouble, or difficulty they may be in!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.”

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When You Think God Cannot Love You

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:22:41 +0000

Mention any sin you like, and I will assure you that people have committed the same sins and have been saved.

Think of David, who’s committed adultery and murder… that didn’t stop God’s love from flowing to him.

Or think of the case of Manasseh; he shed innocent blood very much; he bowed before idols; he put his own child to death as a sacrifice to the false god, and yet God’s love laid hold upon him, and Manasseh became a bright star in heaven, though once as vile as the lost in hell.

And again…Paul says he was the chief of sinners, and he meant it; he spoke by inspiration, and there is no doubt he was.

Now if the greatest of sinners has passed through the strait gate, there must be room for the next greatest; if the greatest sinner in the world has been saved, then there is a possibility for you and for me, because we cannot be worse sinners than the very chief of sinners.

God doesn’t refuse to love us because there is sin in us. If there is anything in you, then, that makes you think God cannot love you, I reply, “Impossible!” for surely your sins do not exceed those of the chief of sinners.

But I will dare to say that even if we were, even if we could exceed Paul, even that could be no barrier; for man’s sin is the act of a finite creature, but God’s grace is the act of infinite goodness.

God forbid that I should downplay your sin. They are loathsome, they are hellish in themselves. But the grace, the love, and the pity of God, oh! these are infinite, eternal, everlasting, boundless, matchless, unconquerable, and therefore the grace of God can overcome and prove itself mightier than your guilt and sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

…go and sin no more. (John 8:11)

- Charles Spurgeon

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Peace and Hope in Suffering

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:01:49 +0000

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” – Hebrews 11:1

The great chapter on faith in the Bible is Hebrews, chapter 11. It begins, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

What is often overlooked in this chapter, though, is the final eight verses where we get the balanced picture of faith as that which lays hold on God for rescue from suffering and as that which lays hold on God for peace and hope in suffering.

Verse 33 says “By faith they conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection…”

Now if we stopped reading here our conception of how the quality of faith manifests itself would be very distorted, because here it sounds as if faith always wins in this life.

But here a shift occurs and we find that faith is also the power to lose our life: “By faith … others were tortured, not accepting release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; others experienced mocking and scourging, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheep skins, in goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy) wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground . . . And all these gained approval through their faith. . . ”

The glory of God is manifested when He heals, and when he gives a sweet spirit of hope and peace to the person that He does not heal, for that, too, is a miracle of grace! O, that we might be a people among whom God is often healing our sicknesses, but is always causing us to be full of joy and peace while our sickness remains.

If we are a humble and childlike people who cry out to God in our need and trust in His promises, the Holy Spirit will help us and God will bless us with every possible blessing. He will, as the text says, work everything together for our good.

- John Piper

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God Of The Broken-Hearted

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:40:14 +0000

“The Lord is near the broken-hearted.” – Psalm 34:18

The world cares very little for broken hearts, but the God of the Bible is the God of the broken-hearted.

People often break the heart’s of other by their cruelty, their falseness, their injustice and their coldness. But God cares. Broken-heartedness draws Him down from heaven.

Doctors don’t treat the healthy but the sick. It’s the same with God. It’s not to the whole and the well, but to the broken and the wounded, that He comes with sweetest tenderness. Jesus said of His mission: “He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted.” (Isaiah 61:1)

God repairs and restores the hurt and ruined life. He takes the bruised reed and, by His gentle skill, makes it whole again until it grows into fairest beauty.

The love, pity, and grace of God ministers sweet blessings of comfort and healing to restore the broken and wounded hearts of His people. The God of the Bible is the God of those brought low, whom He lifts up into His strength.

God is the God of those who fail — not that He loves those who stumble and fall better than those who walk without stumbling — but He helps them more. The weak believers get more of His grace than those who are strong believers.

There is a special divine promise which says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) When we are aware of our own insufficiency, then we are ready to receive His divine sufficiency. And so our very weakness is an element of strength. Our weakness is an empty cup which God fills with His own strength.

You may think that your weakness disqualifies you for noble, strong, beautiful living, or for sweet, gentle, helpful serving. But really it’s something which, if you give it to Christ, He can transform into a blessing, a source of His power.

- J. R. Miller

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The Strength To Carry On

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:53:17 +0000

There is a truth about Christian living which, if people knew it, would make all of life easier for them. The truth is this: Whatever trial or task comes our way in life, we will receive the strength we need to face it. There are several promises that give this assurance.

One reads, “your strength will equal your days.” (Deut 33:25) This seems to mean that the help which God gives, varies according to the tasks and trials of the particular day. God fits His blessing to our days.

When we are weak, He increases strength. (Isa 40:29)
When we are sorrowful, He gives comfort. (2 Cor 1:3-6)
When we are in danger, He grants protection. (Ps 32:7)
When we are weary, He gives rest. (Mtt 11:28)

Another of Christ’s promises reads, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (Cor 12:9) Every word of this assurance shines with brilliant light.
“My grace is sufficient for you.”

It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. We know that He has all Divine fullness, and so we are sure that no human need can ever exhaust His power to give help!

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. If it were anything else but grace, it might not give us such comfort. Grace is undeserved favor, goodness shown to the unworthy. We deserve nothing because we are sinners, but it is Christ’s grace which is sufficient, and so we can claim it.

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
His grace “IS” sufficient. Christ is always speaking personally to the one who is in any need, and saying, “My grace IS sufficient for you.”

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
The word “sufficient” is one whose meaning expands and amplifies with the measure of the need. No need is so small that it can’t be included; and none is so great that it can go beyond the capacity of the blessing that is promised.

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
The grace is sufficient for each of His redeemed children. “For you” the promise is made.

Life lies before us, with its burdens, its duties, its responsibilities, its struggles, its perplexities. It does not come to us all at once. God breaks our years into months and weeks and days, and never gives us more than we can bear or do for the day.

If we take up the present duty or burden we shall always have strength to do it. If we do not have strength of our own, we don’t need to falter because even if the task is impossible to our ability He will sustain us by giving us all the help we need.