“You May Have Peace” Part Five

This divine concern reaches into the temporal details of our lives. No child of God should ever become unduly anxious about the provision of his daily necessities. Jesus made this abundantly plain in His memorable Sermon on the Mount.

Pointing to the wildflowers blooming about Him, He said, “If God so clothe the grass of the field…shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?…for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:30-33).

What peace of mind we all would have if we followed this precious counsel! Of course, it does not mean that we should be slothful in our business arrangements, for indolence and improvidence are forbidden by other equally forceful passages of Scripture; but it does mean that we should cease from worrying so much about temporal matters and trust more confidently in the loving-kindness of God toward us.

To overburdened Martha, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41, 42).

In so saying He did not mean to minimize the importance of home duties. He knew that such work has to be done. But He saw that Martha was more concerned with the housework that with God’s work. She was rushed and bothered because she thought she had no time to be with Jesus. Had she taken but a few moments to talk with Him, her soul would have been set at rest. It was a matter of putting first things first—and she had put them last.

Taking a little time now and thin to think about God and to talk with Hi is one of the surest ways of keeping your mind at peace.

If you know you are overwrought, nervous, quick-tempered, worried, it may well be because you are not praying enough. Communion with God is the most soul-calming force known. It will lift you out of the wild hurly-burly of a busy life into the serenity that surrounds His throne. It will correct your perspective and give events, people, and things their proper value. It will help you to realize that “the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Of course, it is easy to tell ourselves that there isn’t time to pray, what with the keen pace of modern life and radio, television, newspapers, and magazines, filling every vacant moment. Yet the more rushed life is, the more crowded our daily program, the more we need God. And if we would have His peace, we must find time to pray. Indeed, we must learn to bring all things to Him in prayer. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, R.S.V.)

With what result? “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).

So, peace of mind is possible. God has made provision for it. It is one of the rich gifts of His love. You may have it if you want it. And you may have it now.

From “Your Bible and You”, by Arthur S. Maxwell, pg. 145-147

 

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“You May Have Peace” Part Four

Note: To get a better understanding, read “You May Have Peace” Part Three.

It could be, or course, that your present disquietude is due not to past sins but to present temptations. You are worried lest you may fall into some trap the enemy of all good is laying for you. But here again God has made provision for the dispelling of your fears.

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation,” says the apostle Peter (2 Peter 2:9). He is right. God does know how to do it. As Jude says, He “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (verse 24).

But, you say, maybe I shall sin again. Suppose you do. This will not take God by surprise. He has made provision for such a slip on your part. Should your conscience ever tell you that you have done something displeasing to Him, remember that you have “an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). He who died on Calvary for our redemption is now “even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (verse 26).

So we have strong help in heaven. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who together form the Holy Trinity of love, are eager to help us in our struggle with sin. They yearn for our victory. All the angels, too, are dedicated to be “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

There is nothing God is not willing to do to help those who have surrendered their lives to Him. With such ample assurances why worry so?

From “Your Bible and You”, by Arthur S. Maxwell, pgs. 143-145.

End of Part Four.

“Compromise, Conformity, And Courage”

This article from Amazing Facts Inside Report magazine talks about the dangers of compromising with the world. If you would like to have the courage to stand up for Jesus and to say no to worldliness, click on the cover below.

Handling Emotions

Jesus knows how it feels when we struggle with our emotions. He was a human like us and there were times when He felt negative emotions. But His relationship with the Father kept Him from giving in to them. If you would like to stop giving into your destructive feelings, learn how to give them to Jesus in this study.

Handling Emotions

Bible lessons are from “Real Time Faith” study guides.

“The Importance Of Faith”

“Don’t be afraid. Just trust Me.” Mark 5:36

This is a lesson of the greatest importance. When praying alone in the presence of God, we must trust implicitly in the love of God and in the power of the Lord Jesus. Take time to ask yourself this question: Is my heart full of a steadfast faith in God’s love? If this is not the case, focus on this before you begin to pray. Faith does not come of itself.

Consider quietly how impossible it is for God to lie. He is ready with infinite love to give you His blessing. Take some text of Scripture in which God’s power, faithfulness, and love are revealed. Apply the words and say: “Yes, Lord, I will pray with firm faith in You.”

It is a mistake to limit the word “faith” to the forgiveness of sins and to our acceptance as children of God. Faith includes far more. We must have faith in all that God is willing to do for us. We must have faith according to our special needs. Jesus Christ gives grace for each new day, and our faith must reach out according to the needs of the day.

When you enter into the Father’s presence and before you begin to pray, ask yourself: “Do I really believe that God is here with me and that the Lord Jesus will help me to pray?” Jesus often taught His disciples how indispensable faith was to true prayer. He will teach us as well.

From “God’s Word For Growing In Prayer: Devotional Thoughts On Talking With God”, Compiled From The Works Of Andrew Murray, pg. 13