Speaker: Bro. Bobby Rodriguez, Elder, The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

" P E A C E "

Do we have peace in our country? Do we have peace in our hearts?

What is peace? What is true peace? What is its source? How do we protect our peace?

Paul – A Man of Peace, A Teacher of Peace

The Apostle Paul is a good example of a man of peace – for what he was, and for what he taught in the New Testament.

Paul was unjustly accused and imprisoned by the Romans. He could have been an angry, frightened, and frustrated man. He was not, and he proved himself as a man of joy, peace, and contentment.

Writing from a Roman prison and in danger of losing his life, he exhorted the Christians in Philippi about joy and peace. His teachings about peace in the fourth chapter of Philippians are still true and valid today as they were then during the first century, AD.

What is peace? The following are teachings about peace – according to Apostle Paul:

1. Peace and joy go together.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

People of peace are people of joy. Paul asks us to rejoice always – whatever are the circumstances. Peace and joy go together. Paul had both peace and joy all the time – in prison or out of prison.

2. Peace is having no anxiety.

“Have no anxiety at all.” (Philippians 4:6). When we encounter situations we did not anticipate, we should not let fear and worry conquer us. We can depend on God's promise to fully supply whatever we need (Philippians 4:19) and on his promise never to forsake us or abandon us. (Hebrews 13:5).

We may have normal concerns for our family, our health, our work and other things in our life. What we should avoid are anxieties, fears and frustrations. Anxieties are tormenting thoughts and fretful worries that stem from fear of losing control over our circumstances. They can cause emotional, spiritual and physical harm. They can result in depression, a defeated attitude, and doubt. They can wreck havoc with our health.

To avoid anxiety, we should firmly believe in God and completely trust the Lord. Let us remember that:

•  God is sovereign and in control of everything that happens to us;

•  God is omniscient ; He knows everything about us – past, present, future;

•  God is omnipotent ; He has the power to change our circumstances;

•  He is our loving Father ; He will do the right thing every time with our best interest in mind.

Watch out for symptoms of anxiety: you are more concerned about what you desire than about the will of God; you are being hurried into making unwise decisions; you feel constantly agitated about something. Beware of anxiety which is not a will of God. His will is perfect peace for all of us.

3. Peace is making our requests known to God.

“…but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” (Philippians 4:6). There is peace in a person who readily lifts his heart to the Father and pray.

•  A man of peace has a daily conversation with the Lord; he reads the Scriptures; he meditates on God's Word.

•  A man of peace makes petition [supplication] to God. He cries out in an intense prayer during situations of desperation or deep burden.

•  A man of peace always prays with thanksgiving. He remembers to be thankful for God's blessings and his sovereign control over his life. He affirms being God-centered with thanksgiving in all his prayers.

•  A man of peace requests God for what he desires. He has the boldness of coming to the Lord. “And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14).

4. Peace is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

“Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

The Greek word for peace is “pax” – it literally means binding together something that has been disconnected. We were disconnected from God by the disobedience of Adam and Eve but we were brought back into relationship with our Creator by Jesus Christ, our Savior. When we accept Jesus, we receive God's gift of perfect peace. “For he is our peace.” (Ephesians 2:14). Jesus himself is the peace that surpasses all understanding – the peace that brings divine and satisfying serenity even in times of difficulties in life. When we trust Jesus as our personal savior, we have true and perfect peace!

5. Peace is thinking pure and lovely thoughts.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

A man of peace thinks pure and lovely thoughts. He does not indulge in impure thoughts from the devil. He has positive thoughts. He overcomes negative and pessimistic thinking. If the devil tells him that he cannot do it, he claims “I have the strength for everything through him [Jesus] who empowers me.” (Philippians 4:13).

In order to have peace, we should let our mind be captivated by godly thoughts rather than worldly thoughts. We should surrender our will over to God and live in obedience to the Lord.

6. Peace is being content, whatever the circumstances.

“Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.” [“ content” ] (Philippians 4:11). Paul wrote that he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances. When he faced his hardships and trials as an apostle, he rejected anxiety and instead trusted God completely. Amidst difficulties, he had true peace and a sense of tranquility and serenity.

7. True peace is what God gives us.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” ( John 14:27).

True peace comes from God. It is peace that originates from God himself. God gives us true peace. It is peace that is not affected by circumstances. It protects our minds from troubling thoughts and our hearts from detrimental emotions.

8. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Peace is the overflow of God's Spirit living within us. It is truly a gift from the Almighty. It is also what enables us to walk in faith and in the Spirit.