Here I am interviewing Rachel on the subject of peace.
Me: Rachel, what do you say about peace?
Rachel: Um... okay, talk about giving me short NOTICE!! In fact, really not short notice, no notice at all. Anyway, I would say that when we are right with God and people we are at peace.
Me: Hey, you just stole my thought!
Rachel: It was NOT your thought! LOL. jk. I'll share the credit with you, okay? okay, anyway, Haley just said that she doesn't know a girl that she thought she knew. Lol. That was so random. Anyway, I would say that people generally think of peace as a scenere backdrop on their daily lives. I heard a story of a young girl in Sunday School who was trying to think of the four first Fruits of the Spirit. She said, "Love, Joy, Peace... and, and," another girl shouted, "Peace and quiet!"
Ironically enough, this is how many people view peace. But there is something much more to peace. The Lord assures us in His word that we can have peace through Him, and only through Him. Psalm 23 assures us, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me." Even if we're going through a horribly dreadful time, we can still be comforted by this amazing, all-surpassing, all-consuming peace of our Heavenly Father. That's how powerful and awesome He is!! That's all I have to say about peace... is that okay?
Me: That's awesome! Thanks a lot! Here are some quotes I found on peace. What are your opinion of them? Quote #1: "Have peace in your heart, and thousands will be saved around you." -Seraphin of Sarov. What is your opinion on this, Rachel?
Rachel: Well, doing apologetics this year has helped me in responding to quotes. They have different questions based on different quotes. So... many times I'll end up agreeing with some part and disagreeing with another part of a quote. It would have to be that way with this one. First of all, I would agree that having peace in your heart is definitely an important thing for a Christian so that non-believers can see how God's power comforts us in weakness. But, then, I would have to disagree by saying that it takes more than simply having peace in your heart to lead someone to the Lord. There are so many other aspects. First of all, you must be able to have a good testimony in other ways besides simply being filled with peace. Also, in many cases you will need to answer questions that the other may have about your faith. And most importantly, Jesus Christ Himself must plant the seed of salvation that will flourish in the hearts of many.
Me: All right. Thank you very much! In parting, I'll quote another quotation; what do you all think about it? "Peace is not the absence of trouble. Peace is the presence of God."
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Enemy of Joy
Below I said that Joy is not dependent on outward circumstances. This is true, but sometimes things can begin to ruin your joy. Listen to Paul's command in Philippians 4:4-7: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Worry is a big enemy of joy. How can you be joyful when you are not trusting and obeying God? Yes, worrying is a sin. When you indulge in this dubious "luxury", you are both disobeying and God and not trusting in him. Paul tells us, "DON'T Worry. God is near. Give your requests to the Lord. If you do so, God's peace will guard you."
Worry is a big enemy of joy. How can you be joyful when you are not trusting and obeying God? Yes, worrying is a sin. When you indulge in this dubious "luxury", you are both disobeying and God and not trusting in him. Paul tells us, "DON'T Worry. God is near. Give your requests to the Lord. If you do so, God's peace will guard you."
Joy vs. Happiness
Wow, now Rachel is way ahead of me!!
Okay. Joy. What is it?
I think that probably the book in the Bible most concentrated on JOY is the book of Philippians. "Joy" and "Rejoice" are used over and over and over again.
When you think about this from an unbeliever's perspective, it's pretty confusing. Read this from 2 Corinthians 11:23b-28: "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."
It seems hard to believe that anyone could have gone through all (or, at the time, most of it) sit in prison, and write such a joy filled letter, doesn't it? Read it for yourself. Here are some quotes from Philippians: "Yes, and I will continue to rejoice..." "I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." "Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!" "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Non-believers shake their heads. How can a man be so happy while sitting in prison, being whipped, being shipwrecked, facing growing pressures, etc????
Answer: He most likely wasn't happy. HAPPY/JOY is the way most think of them. Nothing can be further from the truth. One can be joyful and not appear happy. You could describe them like this: Happiness comes from outside of you. Joy comes from inside of you.
In other words, Joy comes from God. Here are some of Paul's explanations of why he is joyful: "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus may overflow on account of me." Phil. 1:25-26.
Paul's hope was in the Lord. "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Paul had "the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in his heart." Although his outward circumstances did not look good, it did not destroy his inward joy in Christ. Most people think of happiness and joy like this: HAPPY/JOY. They are wrong. Instead of HAPPY/JOY, it is HAPPY vs. JOY.
Happiness:
~often needs luxuries and comforts
~is dependant on outward circumstances
~disappears very easily
~cannot last
Joy:
~does not need luxuries and comforts
~is not depenent on outward circumstances
~does not disappear
~will last
Okay. Joy. What is it?
I think that probably the book in the Bible most concentrated on JOY is the book of Philippians. "Joy" and "Rejoice" are used over and over and over again.
When you think about this from an unbeliever's perspective, it's pretty confusing. Read this from 2 Corinthians 11:23b-28: "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches."
It seems hard to believe that anyone could have gone through all (or, at the time, most of it) sit in prison, and write such a joy filled letter, doesn't it? Read it for yourself. Here are some quotes from Philippians: "Yes, and I will continue to rejoice..." "I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me." "Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!" "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Non-believers shake their heads. How can a man be so happy while sitting in prison, being whipped, being shipwrecked, facing growing pressures, etc????
Answer: He most likely wasn't happy. HAPPY/JOY is the way most think of them. Nothing can be further from the truth. One can be joyful and not appear happy. You could describe them like this: Happiness comes from outside of you. Joy comes from inside of you.
In other words, Joy comes from God. Here are some of Paul's explanations of why he is joyful: "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus may overflow on account of me." Phil. 1:25-26.
Paul's hope was in the Lord. "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."
Paul had "the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in his heart." Although his outward circumstances did not look good, it did not destroy his inward joy in Christ. Most people think of happiness and joy like this: HAPPY/JOY. They are wrong. Instead of HAPPY/JOY, it is HAPPY vs. JOY.
Happiness:
~often needs luxuries and comforts
~is dependant on outward circumstances
~disappears very easily
~cannot last
Joy:
~does not need luxuries and comforts
~is not depenent on outward circumstances
~does not disappear
~will last
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