GPiper
August 12th 2003, 08:20 AM
Are you looking for a small slice of peace?
You are (I already knew that)!
One of the first things a firefighter learns when fighting a fire is to direct the water at the base of the flames not at the flames themselves!
One of the first things you need to know when seeking peace to direct your search at the Base of Peace not on the "flames of conflict." In his writings in the New Testament the Apostle Paul wrote 9 times "Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," he was no doubt trying to say something of great significance. I know what Paul was saying sounds very elementary but when the circumstances of our lives suddenly burst into flames our first thought is to extinguish the fire by directing our energy toward the cause of our conflicts.
After a very trying week John Doe opened his pay envelope only to discover he was nearly $400.00 short of what he needed to pay his bills. Facing the inevitable repossession of the family car and no money for food after paying rent and utility bills John Doe stopped on the way home and spent his entire paycheck on Lottery Tickets. After spending 90 minutes scratching lottery tickets John Doe went home $950.00 short of what he needed to pay his bills.
If you think the preceding story is ridiculous think again it happens over and over only with different names with different details. Jesus Christ is the Peace Base, focusing your energy on him not only fills you with the power to endure; his peace smothers the flames of conflict. By turning to Jesus rather than the lottery John Doe's financial burdens may not have disappeared but Jesus would have saw him through them perhaps by blessing his creditors with a spirit of compassion.
One of the reasons (at least to me) the New Testaments repeats itself 9 times is to illustrate to us that "Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" needs to becomes second nature so rather than wasting valuable time "buying lottery tickets" we turn to Jesus automatically. Remember turn to Jesus first you may not get a second chance!
Gary
You are (I already knew that)!
One of the first things a firefighter learns when fighting a fire is to direct the water at the base of the flames not at the flames themselves!
One of the first things you need to know when seeking peace to direct your search at the Base of Peace not on the "flames of conflict." In his writings in the New Testament the Apostle Paul wrote 9 times "Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," he was no doubt trying to say something of great significance. I know what Paul was saying sounds very elementary but when the circumstances of our lives suddenly burst into flames our first thought is to extinguish the fire by directing our energy toward the cause of our conflicts.
After a very trying week John Doe opened his pay envelope only to discover he was nearly $400.00 short of what he needed to pay his bills. Facing the inevitable repossession of the family car and no money for food after paying rent and utility bills John Doe stopped on the way home and spent his entire paycheck on Lottery Tickets. After spending 90 minutes scratching lottery tickets John Doe went home $950.00 short of what he needed to pay his bills.
If you think the preceding story is ridiculous think again it happens over and over only with different names with different details. Jesus Christ is the Peace Base, focusing your energy on him not only fills you with the power to endure; his peace smothers the flames of conflict. By turning to Jesus rather than the lottery John Doe's financial burdens may not have disappeared but Jesus would have saw him through them perhaps by blessing his creditors with a spirit of compassion.
One of the reasons (at least to me) the New Testaments repeats itself 9 times is to illustrate to us that "Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" needs to becomes second nature so rather than wasting valuable time "buying lottery tickets" we turn to Jesus automatically. Remember turn to Jesus first you may not get a second chance!
Gary