A PEACE OF YOUR MIND
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's PEACE, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.”---Philippians 4:6-9 (NCV)
“Only the just man enjoys peace of mind.”---Epicurus
Peace: the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world; an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism; a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, esp. in personal relations; cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity; silence; stillness; in a state or relationship of non-belligerence or concord; not at war; to maintain order; cause to refrain from creating a disturbance; deceased
Synonyms: accord, amity, calmness, cessation, composure, conciliation, friendship, love, neutrality, order, reconciliation, relaxation, reserve, rest, stillness, sympathy, truce, unity
Antonyms: agitation, disagreement, disharmony, fighting, frustration, upset, war, worry
OK, before I begin, because I know this is for somebody, you did see that the last definition of peace listed was “deceased”, right? Death is a form of sleep (Ephesians 5:14), which is a form of peace. God is GOD, even in death and even in death, peace of a blessed state.
Now onto the message for today. I wanted to save it until tomorrow, but I am catching a flight in a bit and I don't “do” PCs when I travel (not yet, anyway). Shoot, you all see how much I am on this thing already. When I go out of town, I find peace in being away from as much technology as possible!
But, I do think it is not a coincidence that last Friday's message was on being still and this one is on peace. And you know what's “funny”? I never really thought about peace---a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)---in this way until I saw all of the definitions:
If I'm at peace, I'm going to be calm.
If I'm at peace, I'm going to keep my composure.
If I'm at peace and the people that I deal with are at peace, we will be in a healthy friendship.
If I'm at peace, that is when REAL LOVE is present.
If I'm at peace, reconciliation will be a priority to me.
If I'm at peace, I will have sympathy for others.
If I'm at peace, I won't want to fight and argue. I will be quick to call a truce (so that I can keep the peace).
More and more I am seeing what it really means when the Word (John 1:1) says that we are known by our fruits. (Matthew 12:33) We can say ALL DAY that we are something, but the definitions reveal if we are being truthful. You can't be “at peace” and agitated. You can't be “at peace” and frustrated. You can't be “at peace” and worried all of the time. And, we can't really witness to others in the way that we should when we're not who God called us to be. And, one of those things is peaceful.
Just yesterday, a friend of mine and I went to lunch. Now, if there is one word that I could use to describe this season in my life, I think it would have to be “engaging”. I am engaging the universe and it is engaging me. (Psalm 24:1) Well, right before I met up with him, I went to see a girlfriend of mine to get my bridesmaid assignments. (Ladies, if you are in an upcoming wedding, the operative word is not BRIDE but MAID...serve!) She said to me, “Right now, be patient...and truthful.”
She's always “spot on” and so I told her that I received it and went on my way. When I got to the restaurant, my friend and I sat down and our server came to the table. When she told us her name (I always ask), it was so unique that I asked her what the meaning was. She said, “Patience”.
WHAT?!?
Me: “OK God, so you must really want me to be patient, huh?”
Holy Spirit (Luke 12:12): “Love is patient, right? Be love.”
LONG story short, the young lady ended up sharing her story with us and towards the end, she mentioned that she had never talked that much with her customers and rarely shared as much as she just did with anyone. And you know what? She will be reading about this because she is now on the devotional list (and I ask that all of you pray for her as she makes a MAJOR life-changing decision), and my friend (who doesn't like to get credit for his generosity, as it should be, so he will remain nameless-Matthew 6:3-4), planted a seed into her as it directly relates to what she is needing for her breakthrough.
Lesson here? Oh, there are several, but what I am led to share are two: First, my friend and I had to be “at peace” for her to be “at peace”. If we had been agitated and frustrated, it would have put her either in that same space or a place of trying to defend herself from it. Therefore, we have to always make peace a priority...it's contagious.
But secondly, it reminded me of why God said that we should not only remain prayerful when it comes to obtaining peace, but that we should also guard our thought life as well. Wanting peace without thinking good thoughts is like wanting to lose weight while eating junk food. It just doesn't work.
Some of you are wanting peace and praying for it, but your mind is not in the right place. You are not thinking about good, true, right, and respectable things. You are thinking about anything but. And what you take in is what you get out; not only that, but what you put out into the universe is affecting more than just you.
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's PEACE, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.”---Philippians 4:6-9 (NCV)
“Only the just man enjoys peace of mind.”---Epicurus
Peace: the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world; an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism; a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, esp. in personal relations; cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquility; serenity; silence; stillness; in a state or relationship of non-belligerence or concord; not at war; to maintain order; cause to refrain from creating a disturbance; deceased
Synonyms: accord, amity, calmness, cessation, composure, conciliation, friendship, love, neutrality, order, reconciliation, relaxation, reserve, rest, stillness, sympathy, truce, unity
Antonyms: agitation, disagreement, disharmony, fighting, frustration, upset, war, worry
OK, before I begin, because I know this is for somebody, you did see that the last definition of peace listed was “deceased”, right? Death is a form of sleep (Ephesians 5:14), which is a form of peace. God is GOD, even in death and even in death, peace of a blessed state.
Now onto the message for today. I wanted to save it until tomorrow, but I am catching a flight in a bit and I don't “do” PCs when I travel (not yet, anyway). Shoot, you all see how much I am on this thing already. When I go out of town, I find peace in being away from as much technology as possible!
But, I do think it is not a coincidence that last Friday's message was on being still and this one is on peace. And you know what's “funny”? I never really thought about peace---a Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)---in this way until I saw all of the definitions:
If I'm at peace, I'm going to be calm.
If I'm at peace, I'm going to keep my composure.
If I'm at peace and the people that I deal with are at peace, we will be in a healthy friendship.
If I'm at peace, that is when REAL LOVE is present.
If I'm at peace, reconciliation will be a priority to me.
If I'm at peace, I will have sympathy for others.
If I'm at peace, I won't want to fight and argue. I will be quick to call a truce (so that I can keep the peace).
More and more I am seeing what it really means when the Word (John 1:1) says that we are known by our fruits. (Matthew 12:33) We can say ALL DAY that we are something, but the definitions reveal if we are being truthful. You can't be “at peace” and agitated. You can't be “at peace” and frustrated. You can't be “at peace” and worried all of the time. And, we can't really witness to others in the way that we should when we're not who God called us to be. And, one of those things is peaceful.
Just yesterday, a friend of mine and I went to lunch. Now, if there is one word that I could use to describe this season in my life, I think it would have to be “engaging”. I am engaging the universe and it is engaging me. (Psalm 24:1) Well, right before I met up with him, I went to see a girlfriend of mine to get my bridesmaid assignments. (Ladies, if you are in an upcoming wedding, the operative word is not BRIDE but MAID...serve!) She said to me, “Right now, be patient...and truthful.”
She's always “spot on” and so I told her that I received it and went on my way. When I got to the restaurant, my friend and I sat down and our server came to the table. When she told us her name (I always ask), it was so unique that I asked her what the meaning was. She said, “Patience”.
WHAT?!?
Me: “OK God, so you must really want me to be patient, huh?”
Holy Spirit (Luke 12:12): “Love is patient, right? Be love.”
LONG story short, the young lady ended up sharing her story with us and towards the end, she mentioned that she had never talked that much with her customers and rarely shared as much as she just did with anyone. And you know what? She will be reading about this because she is now on the devotional list (and I ask that all of you pray for her as she makes a MAJOR life-changing decision), and my friend (who doesn't like to get credit for his generosity, as it should be, so he will remain nameless-Matthew 6:3-4), planted a seed into her as it directly relates to what she is needing for her breakthrough.
Lesson here? Oh, there are several, but what I am led to share are two: First, my friend and I had to be “at peace” for her to be “at peace”. If we had been agitated and frustrated, it would have put her either in that same space or a place of trying to defend herself from it. Therefore, we have to always make peace a priority...it's contagious.
But secondly, it reminded me of why God said that we should not only remain prayerful when it comes to obtaining peace, but that we should also guard our thought life as well. Wanting peace without thinking good thoughts is like wanting to lose weight while eating junk food. It just doesn't work.
Some of you are wanting peace and praying for it, but your mind is not in the right place. You are not thinking about good, true, right, and respectable things. You are thinking about anything but. And what you take in is what you get out; not only that, but what you put out into the universe is affecting more than just you.
Yesterday was a reminder to me that what God calls us to be is very “cause and effect”, not just on our personal lives, but the lives of everyone around us. Keep your peace of mind at ALL COST. The definitions and synonyms (and antonyms) show us how we can do that. (Some of you need to re-evaluate some of your relationships. You ain't at peace, cause it ain't at peace.)
Ain't nothin' wrong with giving a piece of your mind...if it's PEACEFUL. Actually, it's required in the kingdom because it feeds the soul of God's children. That's why it's called a “fruit”.
Have a PEACEFUL and prosperous day-to and with all!
Amen...and amen.
©Shellie R. Warren/2009
Yesterday was a reminder to me that what God calls us to be is very “cause and effect”, not just on our personal lives, but the lives of everyone around us. Keep your peace of mind at ALL COST. The definitions and synonyms (and antonyms) show us how we can do that. (Some of you need to re-evaluate some of your relationships. You ain't at peace, cause it ain't at peace.)
Ain't nothin' wrong with giving a piece of your mind...if it's PEACEFUL. Actually, it's required in the kingdom because it feeds the soul of God's children. That's why it's called a “fruit”.
Have a PEACEFUL and prosperous day-to and with all!
Amen...and amen.
©Shellie R. Warren/2009
Posted By: The SISTAHS Ministry
Friday, April 10th 2009 at 9:54AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
