Living in the Peace of God

I drove to Denver today to join my sister in taking my mom to the doctor. She has been dealing with a cough and horse voice for a couple of weeks but it doesn’t appear to be a virus. He recommended that she see a throat specialist just to verify his assumptions about what is going on.

After my mom’s doctor appointment, I joined her for lunch and then dropped by to see Christian, Bridget and the grandkids before we leave tomorrow for our vacation. It ended up being a long day with me leaving Fort Collins at 10 a.m. and not returning until 6:00 p.m. When I returned home I mowed the lawn so it would be ready for when we are gone. It was cold out and definitely felt like a fall evening. With the weather changing Debbie and I are not the only ones noticing the change. Our dog, which we just got this past May, is getting ready for his first winter. This morning he ended up taking comfort in front of the fireplace, laying on my blanket. I guess when you snooze, you lose.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “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.Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”   Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV)

Philippians is a letter with a theme of “joy” and “rejoicing.” Yet as we come to the final chapter we find these verses that relate to the “peace of God.” In your life you will find these two virtues going hand in hand. When we have the peace of God we will experience the joy of the Lord. Or we could put it the other way, when you walk in the joy of the Lord, you will have the peace of God.

In the verses above we can see that living in the peace of God is related to how we pray, what we think and what we do. First we see Paul challenging believers not to be overcome by anxiety, but to combat anxious living with prayerful and thankful living. Continual prayers, earnest prayers offered to the Lord will allow the peace of God to guard our hearts and our minds. It will settle our emotions and our thoughts.

Paul then calls believers to be an active part of “guarding their minds” through what they focus their thoughts on. Paul lists eight areas: whatever is true, honorable,  just, pure, lovely, commendable, if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise. In the world we live in this can be a challenge. We listen to the news, read reports that cause concerns, we hear more words of gossip and criticism and what is wrong than what is uplifting and right. As a result we have to be disciplined in order for the thoughts of our mind to be under the control of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 Paul says we, “…are bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” This is an area where we need the Lord’s help, because the inertia of the world is downward.

Finally, Paul says “put into practice what you have learned about the Christian life.” In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says, “…follow me as I follow Christ.” Paul’s focus was on Christ and His work of grace. He endeavored to set the example but the focus was always on Christ and Him crucified. This is another verse where we see the importance of not just being hearers, not just knowing, but being those who do, those who live by the Word of God and allow it guide our life. Paul says as we do that the “God of peace will be with us.”

In our life with the challenges we face, in our world with all that confronts us living in the peace of God is important. But we see that Paul puts some practical guidelines before us. I believe if we follow the “formula” we will have the “result.” Do you have the peace of God? Allow seeking the Lord and a thankful heart replace anxious living. Evaluate the focus of your thoughts and allow God’s word to set a guard over your mind. Put Biblical principles to work in your life as you follow Christ.