Peace of Mind

In this world we will have troubles...

I lace the boots up It's straight to the door 'Cause this, is worth fighting for I get my head right The heart's gotta follow Whisper a prayer like there ain't no tomorrow Take a breath, and I exhale slow I wasn't made for this kind of cold This ain't the kinda place that you wanna know These are the elements I'm telling you bro This world is up in my grill This world is shooting to kill This world always gotta be stealing my heart This world always tryin' to rip my family apart I'll fight the elements I'll fight the elements I got spirit, I got faith I might bend but I won't break I'll fight the elements And I'ma go down swinging If I go down This ain't our home Nah, not even close They camouflage like we fighting some ghosts You start to doubt everything that you know I feel the heat, and it's starting to show They try to break us, break us Make us wanna give in Lay down our arms, Novocain us again Lay down a fight, I could never relent And I'ma take it all the way to the end I'll fight the elements I'll fight the elements I got spirit, I got faith I might bend, but I won't break I'll fight the elements And I'ma go down swinging If I go down Father, God let me see it for what it is This ain't neutral we're up against These elements push me to the fence And then I end up on top of it If I'm not careful To recognize what is pushing in Open my eyes to these elements Stand up and rise to these elements I'm willing to fight, willing to fight The elements

Songwriters: Toby Mckeehan, Tommee Profitt For non-commercial use only. Data From: Musixmatch

Where Does Peace Come From?

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Jn 14:27). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Peace in this world is a fleeing thing. It doesn’t last.

Throughout the ages, men have attempted to improve the gospel. Some call it old-fashioned. Others want to repackage it in order to make it more relevant for today. And there are some who want to change it by replacing it with something else altogether.

In composing a “new gospel,” these people convince themselves that they are right on key. But to a trained ear, the obvious is apparent: this vain rendition is as flat as a pancake!

When Lloyd C. Douglas, author of The Robe and other novels, was a university student, he lived in a boarding house, says Maxie Dunnam in Jesus’ Claims—Our Promises. Downstairs on the first floor was an elderly, retired music teacher, now infirm and unable to leave the apartment.

Douglas said that every morning they had a ritual they would go through together. He would come down the steps, open the old man’s door, and ask, “Well, what’s the good news?”

“The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, “That’s middle C! It was middle C yesterday; it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is middle C!

The old man had discovered one thing upon which he could depend, one constant reality in his life, one “still point in a turning world.”

We live in a world filled with a variety of noises. But, there is still only one middle C, only one gospel of Jesus Christ. Make certain that your song is in tune with Him!

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (pp. 58–59). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

I’m so glad today that Jesus is our constant peace and joy in this world. Nothing can take this from us! This doesn’t change the fact that we’ll still have to face the Elements. We can however have peace and joy in the midst of the Elements. How, you may be asking yourself right now.

Power of Prayer...

Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Phil. 4:6,7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The cure for our worries is prayer! We must become people of prayer. When we become people of prayer and learn to cast all our cares on Him who cares for us, we will have freedom from all our worries! He is faithful to work all things together for our good.

This fellowship with Jesus will guard our hearts and minds from the Elements. We can be sure that we will receive mercy, grace and help in our time of need. He will give us the strength we need to face the Elements.

The peace that Jesus gives is an inner peace that's mediated by His Holy Spirit. We have this conviction that Jesus is near and active in our lives for good. My hope in Christ isn’t moved or shaken by the cares and heartaches of this life!

When fear and anxiety return, I return to prayer! Prayer, petition and thanksgiving will move us back into the peace of God that will guard our hearts. Prayer is our safe place.

A Change of Mind...Meditate on These Things

Philippians 4:8,9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Phil. 4:8,9). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

If we’re going to experience God’s peace and freedom from the anxieties of this life, we must fix our minds on Christ. When we learn to take captive our thoughts and commit them to Christ and His kingdom, meditate on these and we’ll find the peace of God!!!

The trouble with unholy thinking is that joy of God’s presence and peace will be lost and our hearts are no longer guarded.

Remember…everything that goes in will eventually come out!