I was thinking about a song that we sing at church called, “He’s A Keepa’” by Rodnie Bryant and The Christian Community Mass Choir. Simple lyrics: He’ll keep you in perfect peace, just keep your mind stayed on Him, He’ll keep you in perfect peace, if you keep your mind on Him. He’s a keepa’, yes He is, He’s a keepa’, oh yes He is.
Whenever my Pastor’s Wife prays, she always adds something about God giving us the “peace that passes all understanding”. I understand now what she means.
Sometimes we try to “fix” our situations on our own. When we do that, our minds become troubled. Just ask God and He will fix it and He will put your mind at ease. James 1: 6-8 says 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. This man has no peace. Phillipians 4:6-8 says 6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
I desire God to keep me in His perfect peace as I keep my mind on things from above. It’s hard for me not to worry about what is to come, but it’s a decision I am willing to make in order to have a pure praise and a perfect peace. Let’s remember that on our Sabbath when we are gathered and during our worship time. We don’t have to worry if we don’t want, He can keep our minds in perfect peace.
Laurie said,
July 23, 2008 at 7:30 pm
The Pastor’s Wife is quoting Philippians 4:78 which is powerful.
“6 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.” Phil 4:6-8 (NKJV)
Another scripture I lean on when I need assistance with a decision is James 3:13-18. It talks about the 2 wisdoms; earthly and heavenly and the attributes of each. It really sheds the light on which direction I am to go.
“Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3: 13-18 (NIV)