Message for the Week by Sis. Annah Ozigagu
TITLE: OH GOD, MY FATHER, BE KIND TO ME AND BLESS ME WITH YOUR PEACE
Texts: Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 3; and Jude 2.
WHAT IS PEACE?
Peace, in ordinary point of view, can be defined as the absence of war or disturbance. It can also be seen as a situation where one is free from anxiety or distress. However, from God’s perspective, peace is not just the absence of war or freedom from anxiety but how one manages crisis in difficult moments or the ability to manage crisis.
In our race here on earth, we all have one or two difficulties/challenges confronting us and all we need do is to hand over everything to God in prayer asking that his will be done in our lives because with God all things are possible. There is no mountain in our lives that is too high for God to handle. In so doing, you are asking God to fight your battles completely for you and you will experience absolute peace in your life.
Peace cannot be bought with money and it is only God that gives peace. Why not surrender those things giving you sleepless night at the feet of Jesus on the cross and allow Him fight your battles for you so that absolute peace will reign in your life because peace is very essential in the life of a true believer.
Once God is gracious and merciful and He blesses you with peace, then, you are made and you will live a crisis-free life and you see yourself excelling in all areas of your life, whether in good or in bad times. Our reaction to the harshness of crisis is what differentiates us from unbelievers.
WHAT CAUSES LACK OF PEACE IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
1. Fear of the unknown, future, anxiety and worry (Job 3:25-26; Matt. 6:25-34; Mark 6:45-52; Luke 12:22-31).
2. Lack of faith (Matt. 14:22-32; John 6:16-21).
3. Helping God to solve our problems by not surrendering totally to His will. It is worthwhile that you know that Heaven will never help you if you can help yourself, but help can only come from Heaven for those who cannot help themselves.
SOLUTION
1. We should not be afraid of situations or circumstances that will come our way because God told us not to be afraid that He is with us always even till the end of age.
2. Do not worry or be anxious of anything because if we do, our peace will be stolen away (Proverbs 12:25). The Lord is telling us not to worry about anything but pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). God created us all and He feeds the ants and creatures of the earth, how much more about you whom He created in His own image and likeness (Mat.6:25-30).
3. We should always learn to trust God at all times no matter how difficult the situation is (Prov.3:5). God never fails but if we put our trust in men, they will surely fail us.
4. Surrender totally to the will of God. Seek solution in the house of God instead of running helter skelter for solution elsewhere.
FOR FURTHER STUDIES READ:
Lev.1:2; Numbers 6:26; I Tim.1:2, Philemon 1:3, Gal.5:22
CONCLUSION
If we wholeheartedly surrender all our challenges, troubles, fears and worries at the feet of Jesus, then we will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand and His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.Philipian47.
When we handover everything to Him, we are asking Him to perfectly fight for us. Seek the face of God daily in prayers and through the constant study of the word of God in order for us to experience His peace and for spiritual growth. Always remember to ask God to bless you with His peace most especially in our difficult moments.
May the Lord bless us with His peace through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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