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www.truthworks.com 21 AUG 03 devotion archive |
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PEACE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING I tell you the Truth, Welcome to Truth Works Devotions for the 2003-04 school year! It’s really difficult for me to comprehend that this will be the eighth year of email devotions. What’s more incredible is that so many of you have been here with me from the beginning. Thank you all for your prayerful support. For those of you who’ve signed on in the recent months, it’s nice to meet you and I pray you find a home here with us as we seek God’s face, grace and mercy through His Word. So let’s get started! <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< If you were with me this past winter and spring, you know that God has taken me through some challenges. My father was diagnosed with brain cancer in December. My 89 year old father-in-law fell ill in April. It’s been trying times but also a time to draw closer to God and lean on Him more. Then, last month I had another unexpected twist in my life. Our youth pastor resigned and I’ve assumed an interim position of leading our youth while the Lord brings us a new youth minister. I’ve got a full time job with an hour’s commute each way to work and a family with two elementary children on top of all else. It’s kind of like my plate was already full, so God gave me a dessert plate. Believe me, I’m not here to complain today. I live by the scripture that the Lord will not give us more than we can handle. I tell you all these things for a couple reasons. First, I cherish your prayers for my family, for our youth and for myself. I also tell you this because I have an enormous peace about each and every one of these situations. I’ve had a peace about each circumstance from the first day of each trial. And don’t ask me to explain why I have a peace. The peace is beyond my own understanding and I’m ok with that. And here’s why.
Philippians 4: There are some things in my life that I can control that gives me peace. I can buy insurance for my home, my car and my health. I can wash my hands before I eat, brush my teeth before a sleep and tie my shoes before I walk. I route my trips, pay my taxes and ask for directions. Ah, wait. Scratch the directions thing. ;-) At the same time, there are also a multitude of things in life that are beyond my control. I never know when financial crisis, health problems or bad relationships will arise. It’s the things beyond our control (which in reality can be anything) that usually create anxiousness, stress and a sense of doom within us. That’s why Paul was stressing to the Philippians to allow the “peace of God” to rule over their lives. It will guard our heart and mind and prepare us for the day of need. If your only peace in life is the peace that you can understand, then you’re not experiencing the true peace of God. His peace makes no sense. It’s beyond our grasp. There is no logical reason to have peace in your life when things seem to be going so wrong. But that’s exactly the peace that God offers. I encourage you today to not wait for the trial to come. Like the instruction in verse 8, think about such things. Prepare your mind with pure thoughts. Allow the peace of God to rest within you. Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you.” Are you experiencing peace in your life today? Are you prepared to experience it tomorrow? I encourage you to think about such things. By the way, my dad is doing very well physically. He’s actually doing better than he has since December. And my father-in-law is in a private care home and things are working out well with him. That’s God. And our youth at my church? They’re going to be just fine. I have a real peace about it.
Your Servant,
<*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< Prayer Requests (and Praises!) Please pray for two young guys in my area. They are Sammy Wright and Jonathan Cook. Both these boys are in their teens and both suffer from a severe form of MD. Sammy is the son of a good friend and co-worker. I met Jonathan in a local nursing home and he never sees his family. MD can not only be crippling, but it can also be fatal and both these guys, along with their families need our prayers, so please pray with me for Sammy and Jonathan.
Also be in
prayer for area that I live and work in. If you’re a news watcher, you may know
that we’re experiencing a copy cat sniper shooter preying on people in the
Charleston, WV area like Maryland and Virginia experienced last year. We’ve had
three people gunned down this past week. The people of southern West Virginia
need peace which
transcends all understanding.
We appreciate your prayers. Please reply if you have prayer requests, comments or simply need an open ear. I always enjoy hearing from you. <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< <*))))))< Copyright © 2003 Truth Works Publishing. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise specified, all scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV.
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