Do We Have Peace Like a River?
Good Morning Friends,
Here we are in Peace River Presbytery on the eve of the anniversary of 9/11. And, I am wondering if we are going to have a heart, where Christ’s peace is in control? I wonder if people of faith will be praying in agreement for what is best for this world. So today’s devotional is a wakeup call of another kind and asks us to explore what priorities we truly have in our life, in the stream of Holy History, that would make the body be at peace. So are we at peace with ourselves? Do you have your armor on? Do money, property and sex control our thoughts? Or, does a relationship with Christ rule in our lives? Do We Have Peace Like a River?
Scripture: For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.
Isaiah 66:12 (NIV)
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NRSV)
[Jesus] cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ”
John 7:37-38 (NRSV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry 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.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15 (NRSV)
Message: Last night we were singing a song by Moses Hogan at choir practice. Wow what an amazing talent that man had…Songs like Deep River, Elijah Rock. Ride On, King Jesus. He took the idea of Spirituals to the next level. The first Spiritual I sang though was not that complicated. It was a song by Marvin V. Frey. He wrote more than 2,000 songs, many of them during evangelistic gatherings that preached of the resurrection of the church here in America. His best-known song is “Kum Ba Yah,” which he wrote at 17 while attending a Christian Crusade camp. He wrote the song as “Come By Here,” but a youth at the camp took it to his parents, who used it in their missionary work in Angola, where it acquired its more popular title. Other songs he wrote include “He Is Lord,” “This Is My Commandment,” “Do, Lord,” and, the piece relevant for today’s devotional, “I’ve Got Peace Like a River.” And this whole genera of music reminds me that there has never been a time when it’s been easy for the church to take a message of peace into the world. The moment that we attempt to plant the seed, Satan attempts to snatch it away and continues to do all that he can to hinder us from realizing the purposes of God. Consequently there’s war in the life of a believer and the need to put on the full armor of God. That’s the history of the church. And that history tells us that only when we obey God’s commands, will we experience peace. And the peace we experience isn’t just like a nice little pool of water, but like a river, where the peace just keeps coming and coming and coming and coming. And it is a peace that will enable you to stand in the midst of the worst kind of storms and battles. It’s obvious to all of us that we live in a world that really knows very little about what peace is and how to experience it. Peace is one of those things that everyone wants, but no one has a real clear answer of what it is or how you can get it and keep it. Our world is filled with anxiety, stress and tension. We want a program but what we need is a person. Only when we realize that Jesus is the peace will we be in the stream of God’s purpose. You see, Jesus proclaimed that God sent Him to restore His Kingdom rule and reign throughout all of history. So jump in the river and you will also have unity. Rejoice in the Lord and in His rule of love. Put your faith into practice and you will have peace….a beautiful, beautiful peace that keeps on flowing and flowing.
Pray with thanks that we have come this far in our life, that we are alive and that others love us and that with God’s help we will each have enough strength to finish the journey. Pray we have a thankful heart my friends, and that we think on the best, the true and the excellent. Pray
we pursue the right ambition under Christ’s rule with the desire others might share in the Kingdom.
Pray that we enter into the Kingdom submitting to Jesus. Pray that we be a people who live under the rule of God and are governed by it. Pray we encourage the Lord to rule, reign and regulate our relationships. Pray we realize that Jesus rules over everything. Pray our relationship with Christ forms our purpose into peace.
Pray that out of our hearts flow rivers of living water. Pray we realize that peace comes from Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 