Having the Peace that Surpasses all Understanding

With Christmas only a week away today’s sermon at church was on Luke 2:1-14, the birth of Jesus. Our pastor decided to talk about what the angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Going into the Christmas season peace is always a huge thing on people’s mind, even day to day. We all live for peace and happiness. We live to find what fulfills us and makes us feel content and at peace. The world strives for peace. Whether it’s from wars, strife, pain, financial instability, loneliness, or circumstances too comprehensive to understand; everyone seeks peace. It is one of our greatest desires as a human. But unfortunately we look for it in all the wrong places. Yes, many things can bring peace but it always will only be short lived.

Peace is not a place. No place can fulfill your desire to be at peace. Yes, maybe the perfect sunset or stars in the nights sky can make you feel at rest or at peace. But that will slowly dwindle. Or maybe just being home and in a safe environment gives you a sense of peace. Or being with your family and friends. The peace of a place will only last for a season.

Peace is not a position. Often times we think if we just reach that certain age, or get that job, or get married that we will finally find that peace we have been searching for. But no position will ever fulfill that peace. Often times what we thought would cause us to be happy and give us peace only makes us work harder and give more. Granted all those things are amazing to have and will bring much joy, but could never satisfy complete inner peace. True peace could never be found in a position.

Peace is not a possession. This is one that the world struggles with most. If I just had this or had those designer name brands, or got that car that I’d be happy and be at peace. Too many celebrities and people who have everything in the world they could desire find themselves lacking true peace and happiness. A new car, or a new house can certainly give peace for a season. But that is all it will be for.

When we place our peace and happiness in places, positions, or possessions it will always end in despair and no fulfillment. It means we have to find something greater than all of those things that are fleeting and passing away.

Peace IS in a person, and that is Jesus Christ. True peace and happiness will only come from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The world is filled with heartache, pain, frustration; nothing gives us the peace we need but Christ. Everything must be firmly anchored to Christ. His peace is the only one that will help us in every situation. God promises that He will protect and love those who are His children. He will never abandon or forsake us. The trials of this life are in His perfect plan for our lives. Don’t forget it. Everything happens for God’s reasons. May we trust in Him and seek that true peace that can only be found in His son Jesus Christ. Loneliness or any other trial can all be taken care of in Christ. May we seek Him and cling to Him with all we have and give Him our everything. Only then will we find peace. Reading God's Word and constant prayer to Him are the essentials on the road to true peace.

So in this season of Christmas may we find that much needed complete peace and joy in our Savior. He loves us and will never forsake us.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has an incredible story behind his song, “I heard the bells on Christmas Day” about his experience with suffering and a much-needed peace. Please read it, as it will be such an encouragement to you as it was to me. God can give us the peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:4-9 http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Fellowship/Edit_I.Heard.the.Bells.html

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Psalm 29:11

“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

Psalm 119:165

“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.’

Isaiah 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:12

“LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.”

John 16:33

"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."

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 4:20-21

“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.”

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Blessed is the Man

Life continues to be full of surprises in a world that is ever changing around us. This semester has brought about more change than I ever thought possible, one thing after another. But as Christmas draws closer and school winds down God continues to work. It’s been ruff but God has started to graciously give me some light from the end of the tunnel. God has worked perfectly in two big situations that I was dealing with in just the spam of three days (Dec.1-Dec.3). God’s timing is always perfect. He will always be gracious and loving towards His children. He knows what we need and He will provide. He always brings about glory and honor to His name. He calls us to be patient and trust in Him. In both of these situations I felt like there were things that I could do to fix them. But God showed me yet again that I can do nothing and that He will do everything. Of course God doesn’t call us to sit back, but sometimes He does. That takes the form of prayer, pray hard. Pray as if that’s what we can to do to fix things. And isn’t it? Prayer is the MOST important thing we can do in ANY situation, may we never forget it. I fall short too often and forget more than I should to pray to my Savior who seeks that from me. God wants to know our requests! He wants to hear our voices! I look forward to the workings of God in everything else in my life :)

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Seeing how God has been working in my life just reminds me of how blessed I am. I have a Father that would do all these things because He loves me so much and only wants the best for me. I am a very blessed man. The Bible has 17 verses that say “Blessed is the man…” These verses give a clear representation of what it means and takes to be a blessed man and woman. If we want God’s blessing in our lives then lets take a look at what God says a blessed man is…

Psalm 1:1-2 “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 32:2 “How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!” 

Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

Psalm 40:4 “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.”

Psalm 84:5 “How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!”

Psalm 84:12 “O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

Psalm 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O LORD, And whom You teach out of Your law;”

Psalm 112:1 “Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.”

Psalm 127:5 “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

Proverbs 3:13 “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.”

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.”

Proverbs 28:14 “How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.“

Isaiah 56:1-2 “Thus says the LORD, Preserve justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed. How blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who takes hold of it; Who keeps from profaning the sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.”

Romans 4:8 “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.”

Romans 14:22 “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”

James 1:12  “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

A key theme throughout is TRUST in the LORD. A blessed man and woman is someone who trusts God. Easy to say but not always easy to do. Our actions too often show that we don’t trust Him. May we strive more than anything to place our whole hope and trust in Christ. God will bless us. It may not always be in the ways we want but it will certainly be in the ways we need. Which ultimately will always work better than what we ever could have imagined. God wants us to cling to him and persevere. He will always bring us up and into a stronger relationship and love for Him. What an amazing God we serve! Praise Him and thank Him everyday for the numerous blessings He has given us! We are blessed, don't ever forget it!

What other themes can you see that define a blessed man/woman?

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 21:22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

I am a very blessed man. Thank You Lord for loving me so hard. May I always love you more than anything and prove it.