Unconditional Peace

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

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Unconditional Peace -- Matthew 6:31-34

When hardships come, a person's heart is prone to feel anxious and unsettled. But believers do not have to feel this way; we can be at peace even in the worst of times. The Bible says that God loves us and will be our rock in a constantly changing world (Psalm 18:2). This means we are not left alone to face our painful situations. When we trust the Lord's assurances, we can be calm, no matter what the situation may be.

To lay claim to God's assurance, we must put our faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, because we cannot know peace if our eternal security is in question. Once we have become believers, it is vitally important that we make a regular practice of confronting, confessing, and turning away from our wrongs. Otherwise, sin will disrupt our fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 66:18). Sin and peace cannot inhabit the same heart.

Similarly, a heart cannot hold both anxiety and peace, which is why Jesus encouraged His followers to be concerned only with the needs of today (Matthew 6:31-34). Worrying about a troubling situation and seeking a solution apart from God leaves us in a state of unease. But when we focus upon the Lord and trust in His provision, anxiety and doubt flee. "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).

A pure, restful heart is a valuable asset in this crazy world. Situations will arise that shake us up and cause grief. But Jesus is close by to soothe the soul, quiet the mind, and bring peace to the heart.

Don't Forfeit Your Peace

Don't Forfeit Your Peace

It would not be possible to exaggerate the importance hymns and spiritual songs have played in my spiritual growth. One of the latter, familiar to most of you, has this line: "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer" (Joseph Scriven). Prayerlessness is one of many ways by which we can easily forfeit the peace God wants us to have. I've been thinking of some other ways. Here's a sampling:

1. Resent God's ways.
2. Worry as much as possible.
3. Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself.
4. Refuse to accept what God gives.
5. Look for peace elsewhere than in Him.
6. Try to rule your own life.
7. Doubt God's word.
8. Carry all your cares.

If you'd rather not forfeit your peace, here are eight ways to find it (antidotes to the above eight):

1. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165 KJV). "Circumstances are the expression of God's will," wrote Bishop Handley Moule.
2. "Don't worry about anything whatever" (Philippians 4:6, PHILLIPS).
3. "In everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God... will guard your hearts" (Philippians 4:6,7, NEB).
4. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... and you will find rest" (Matthew 11:29, NIV).
5. "Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace, such as the world cannot give" (John 14 27, NEB).
6. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15, NIV).
7. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13, KJV).
8. "Cast all your cares on him for you are his charge" (1 Peter 5:7, NEB).

"Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I seek always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for You and tire of any rest that is apart from You. My God, let me direct my heart towards You, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment."

--St. Thomas Aquinas

Evangelical Leaders Call Christians to Pray for Peace of Jerusalem

Evangelical Leaders Call Christians to Pray for Peace of Jerusalem

Rev. Robert Stearns, director and founder of Eagles Wings Ministries, and Dr. Jack Hayford, president of the Foursquare Denomination International and chancellor of The Kings College and Seminary, co-chair the annual global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, held the first Sunday of every October, says a release from A. Larry Ross Communications. "The fact is, whatever our theological or political positions regarding Israel, we can all agree there is a biblical mandate and a current crisis that should cause us to pray," Rev. Stearns said. He urges all believers to join with the likes of Michael W. Smith, Dr. Frederick Price, the Newsboys, Pat Boone, Larnelle Harris, Dr. John Hagee and others in response to the biblical mandate. The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem will be held Sunday, Oct. 7, simultaneously around the world.