PowerPoint - July 11, 2007

July 11, 2007

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

--Philippians 4:4-7

God is peace. That is an old and simple statement that never loses its truth or power.

Peace is a soothing word that makes me think of the ability to remain calm even in the middle of a storm.

In fact, you may have seen the famous picture of a storm raging on the sea with the winds blowing and the waves crashing on a big rock that stands alone in the middle of the ocean. And when you look closer, you see a little bird nestled safely in that rock.

Now that’s a picture of true peace! The kind of peace Paul writes about in today’s verses.

This kind of peace is not an absence of problems or storms, but it is God’s preserving presence in the midst of the storm! That’s why Paul said this peace surpasses all human understanding.

I don’t believe you can fully describe God’s peace. You can sense it, you can own it, but it’s almost impossible to articulate it. But it is that which God gives us just when we need it most. Just when you need a verse, He brings it to mind. Just when you need a friend, He brings one into your life. God will flood your heart with peace if you let Him.

Is your life characterized by peace? As a child of God it should be. God knows you and loves you with an everlasting love. That’s why He gives you His indescribable peace.

PEACE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF STORMS, BUT GOD’S PRESENCE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM!