Stay In God's Peace

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The Story of Mary and Martha has long been one of the most treasured narratives in the Scripture. Who doesn't identify with hardworking Martha, frustrated with her captivated sister at the feet of the Lord? And who doesn't admire the single-minded devotion of Mary?

I don't know about you, but I can also hear the words of Jesus say, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me”. (John 14:1) He says, “Don't be troubled in heart, don't be agitated, put your trust in Me”!!

This is the portion of Scripture that God led me to when I began asking Him, “Lord, teach me about Your peace and show me how to stay in Your peace when I am overwhelmed by the circumstances of life!!”

This is what will steal God's peace:

1. Whine about the situation

– The first thing we want to do is begin whining and speaking negative about the situation that is happening.

2. Begin blaming others

– The second thing we do is start blaming others for what is happening. It's everybody else's fault.

3. Complain that no one is helping.

– Lastly, we start complaining and become bothered that nobody is helping us with the situation.

TAKE NOTE: None of this accomplishes anything!! It just takes our peace!!

This is how to keep God's peace:

1. Acknowledge God in Everything (Proverbs 3:5-6)

– Our level of peace is directly related to our level of trust in God. If we don't have peace, then we are not truly trusting God. We must acknowledge God in every situation. This helps us to incorporate our trust in Him.

2. Seek God First ( Matthew 6:33-34)

– When we are not trusting God, we are worrying about everything. But we must seek God first about the situation and live right and He will provide all that we need.

3. Pray About Everything With Thanksgiving (Phil 4:6-7)

– Worry and Fear takes our peace. Worry exhausts us mentally and it accomplishes nothing. In every situation we are not to worry or fear but with our whole self be engaged in prayer, and ask with thanksgiving, bringing our requests to God. We need to take everything to God and let Him take care of it. Knowing that God is taking care of everything, the Peace of God guards our hearts and minds.

4. Take Every Thought Captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

– Worry begins with a thought. We have the choice to take that thought captive, giving it to God or allow worry to take our peace. We must renew our minds with the Word of God.

5. Focus on God (Isaiah 26:3-4)

– God will keep us in perfect peace if we stay focused on Him. When we get our eyes off of Him and allow the situation to distract us, worry and doubt sets in and we no longer are in God's perfect peace concerning the situation.

6. Cast Your Cares on God (I Peter 5:7)

– He cares about us so much and wants us to cast all of our cares upon Him so that He can take care of everything.

7. Cry Out to the Lord (Psalm 61:1-4)
– David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Our soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. When we cry unto Him, it will be supported and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. When our heart becomes overwhelmed, as Martha's did, God will lead us to the Rock, a higher place in Him, a place of peace, if we choose the better thing, as Mary did, and sit at Jesus' feet to hear His Word.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.
-- Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”.
-- Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

-- 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”;
-- Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.
-- I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.

-- Psalm 61:1-4 “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah”.

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED!  TRUST IN ME!!  

(John 14:1)