Thursday, July 16, 2015

Peace be with you!

Good morning everyone!

It's a beautiful Northern California morning! I am sitting outside on the patio, under a pop-up canopy, Cisco our black lab is curled up at my feet!

It is peaceful.

But peace can be disrupted, oh so easily.  Someone can walk up and interrupt my thoughts at any time, the phone can ring, an alarm can go off.  I can remember something I had to do, and suddenly the peaceful bubble is broken.

Jesus called us to peace!  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you (John 14:27). God does not intend for our life to be anxious, troubled, so busy we neglect the important things (particularly relationships with God and family).  The situations we face need not disturb us.  But here is a question.  Is it about situations or level of busyness, or is it about our overall approach to life?

The key to peace in our life is found in Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you".  When we are good with God, nothing can remove peace from our heart.  Peace is one of those basic mindsets that are a fruit of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us.  "Love, joy, peace ..." (Gal 5:22).  When I allow God to be my King, I can trust him to take care of me, whatever my situation.  He gives me perfect peace!

Peace be with you!

Pastor Gerry