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Hindrance To Peace John 5:38 (KJV) “And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.” One of the most difficult areas to control today is the thought of our heart. But it can be ruled by what you believe. If your belief draws you closer to Jesus Christ and it lines up with the Word of Truth, then you will have the peace of God. This way is narrow, difficult to find, said Jesus. The reason – it is specific, not general, and not questionable. The Holy Spirit only bears witness to truth. But we must be willing to receive truth. One of the great deceptions of Satan and the root of most problems is our will. Isaiah 48:18 says “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” When your will lines up with His will, peace will flow out of your hearts. It is obedience to the Word that produces peace and the flow of living power from God. We can’t deviate from God’s will and still expect to have His peace. Adam and Eve lost their peace, because they were no longer one with Him. Paul states in Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Everyone wants peace, but it won’t happen until you deal with your carnal state and go to war to kill it. It is a daily war because the lower nature is susceptible to the demonic. And if we don’t maintain our strength in the Spirit of truth, we will give in to the attack instead of overcoming. The Adam in each of us is not in union with Christ. If we don't nourish our new nature with God’s Word and truth continually, the old Adam will automatically rise up and take control. You don’t have to be taught how to worry or fret or to be fearful or selfish. But you do have to be trained and disciplined to reprogram your mind and actions through the power of God’s Word and will in your life. Carnal Christians will be with us to the end, but that doesn’t mean I have to be one. I don’t have to live beneath the power and authority granted to me by the shed blood of Jesus and the Cross of my salvation. If I don’t maintain a renewed mind, I become hostile to the things that God wants to teach me and show me in order to save me (Rom.8:7). The carnal Christian insists on his own way. Pride rules. And where pride operates, there is no peace. (Proverbs 16:5) “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord…” (Psalm 37:11) “The humble shall have overflowing peace! Peace comes by being one with the Lord; and it is worth it.” (Isaiah 57:15) We may not maintain a place in the heavenly realm when we are proud and haughty. (Isaiah 66:2) Is Jesus Lord? Is He your master? Then get off the throne and stay off. His peace is freely given to all that believe and adhere to the Word of Truth, to those who do His will, His way. Today many have put their family before the Lord. It seems right, but it isn't: Matthew 10:37 (KJV) “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” There are not many willing to pay this price, but until Jesus is first place in everything, the devil still has something in us to attack. [And He doesn’t care one iota about you – he just wants to destroy the Jesus in you.] The Lord is not keeping track of how much time you spend every day in Bible reading or praying, He is concerned about how much you rely and trust in Him for your life and if you are committed to that above everything else. Ask yourself – “What is the center of my life?” If it isn’t Jesus, then forget about PEACE. Forget about growing into the full stature of Christ. Forget about knowing the Lord intimately. Christians who have one foot in the church and one foot in the world experience many ups and downs. But putting Him first always levels you out so you can live and grow and develop the character of righteousness. Isaiah 32:17 (KJV) “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” The greatest commandment is what? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mat.22:37) How can we love God with all our hearts if we don’t put Him first? We can’t. To experience the fullness of the Spirit it must be Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Don’t believe the lie that centering your life on Jesus is a drag. He will show you the wonders of the universe. He will reveal beauties beyond comprehension. Prov. 23:26 (KJV) “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe & delight in my ways.” The life that seeks God’s highest purpose will have peace. The peace that everyone craves requires nothing less that total surrender of every human desire and total submission to our Father’s will for our lives. -Pr. Steve April Newsletter 2001 | Hindrance To Peace | A Word To The Wise Pastor's Journal April 2000 | The Abortion Purpose | Warnings and Admonitions part 1
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Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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