Let Peace Rule

Would anyone else here define the current state of the world as insane? Take a good look at the state of the world right now. The Middle East is still at war all over the place and America is just standing in the center this time. Korea wants massive nuclear devices. The United Nations keeps trying to shut their nuclear programs down so they cannot bomb us into oblivion. Extremists bomb buildings and kill people almost daily. Yet, if you examine a little closer, on a smaller scale you will find even more insanity. America has become increasingly liberal and dangerous. They worry about foreign invaders and terrorists and yet forget the need to have a strong family base. A family is a father, mother, the children if any and God. How is your family? Maybe just getting to church today felt like insanity. Get the kids up, get the kids dressed, get the kids fed, and then finally you have to put them into the car and drive to church. I can only imagine how much insanity that creates. It would be great to have world peace, but peace at home needs to come first.

VIDEO: Peace on Earth?

Even the Christian in this video seems to have some doubts about finding peace in her life. Honestly, I too have had massive bouts with lacking peace and begging God to make life stop quaking. I have since learned several valuable lessons from one verse in the Bible. Today, I want to talk to you about our theme for this year, Colossians 3:15. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were indeed called in one body; and be thankful.” I ran across this verse in my devotional time and it honestly took on a totally new meaning to me. Peace isn’t when we don’t have any stress or trouble. I define peace as “having tranquility regardless of outside influences.” This means having an internal state of peace even though your life feels chaotic. Yet, so many times everything seems to dominate our thoughts, time, and energy. It is pretty hard to have peace when worry, children, messy house, broken down car, medical bills, and a million other troubles land in our laps. Godly peace can give you just that. The stress and pressure will still exist but God can provide you with an internal peace beyond understanding. Take possession of peace! I want you to see four significant parts of taking possession of peace.

First, you must choose peace. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Did you catch the very first part of Colossians 3:15? The verse starts with “Let the peace…” What does that mean? I sat down to talk with Stacy one day to discuss this sermon and she wondered, “Is peace a choice or is it just given to us?” I mentioned this part of the verse and she came to the same conclusion I had. Peace is a choice. This verse says that a person must let peace happen. I decided to check another verse or two just in case I was misinterpreting this verse. Philippians 4:6-7 say, “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.” Again, it seems that we as people have some role in whether or not our lives are peaceful. This text gives a command to talk to God about our troubles and give up our worries. Then, God will send peace.

When I wrote the newsletter article that sparked my quest to understand and attain peace, I was deeply struggling with the demands on my life. Every one of you demands to have decent preaching that speaks to your needs and struggles and helps you live your life. There were and are many other demands that come with the job. There were my familial demands. My wife deserves some of my time and every ounce of love I can give her. I don’t want Mayah to feel like Daddy is always gone and never spent time with her as a child. I have to be a father and husband as well as a Christian and a minister. Let’s just say I was very frustrated, stressed, and upset. I kept running the scenarios in my head, over and over again I thought about those who had added to my stress. “Can you do this?” No, I’ve got fifty million things to do. At least I thought that, but I would do it to make them happy. “Have you got this event planned out?” No, I didn’t even know it was my responsibility to plan that event. Something had to change! I kept thinking it was everyone else.