Follow Peace

This is a series of devotions and meditations on scripture that reject fear and champion faith in God. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on things that promote peace and building each other up. It highlights the power of God's word and the peace that comes from trusting in Him. It also discusses the role of Jesus in our lives and the importance of abiding in Him. The transcript encourages seeking God in all aspects of life and reminds readers of their worth and God's unconditional love. Welcome to Fear No Fear. Grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit embrace you today. This is a series of devotions and meditations on scripture. We reject fear in any and all forms. Fear is a spiritual force, the currency of darkness and ignorance. It's what we inherited when Adam gave up his faith and Satan uses it to keep people down. His only weapon is words. If he can get you believing or looking at words of fear, he's got you. Instead, we champion faith as an allegiance to God, as a belief and trust and loyalty to the Lord God Almighty. We accept the evidence of his word as unvarnished truth, as is, just as it's written. We get close to his perfect love through the word, and perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4.18 All scripture is taken from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Visit eBible.org Romans 14.19 So then, let's follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. Things that make for peace. It could be a reference to Philippians 4.8. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. We know that whatever we think about, that is what filters into our heart. We're told in Proverbs 4.23, to keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 23.7 tells us that what is in our heart, that is what we are. But I think that the verse today is talking more along the lines of trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight. Proverbs 3.5-6 It is the same tone as the first and greatest commandment of loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and resources. Deuteronomy 6.5 Putting the Lord our God first in all things is always the way that we are supposed to order our lives. Our thoughts create the motions that we follow, so they are always the first thing, with our soul and flesh following them like ducklings after their mama. One of the reasons that peace is important is that it is one of the key weapons to combat fear. We fear what we don't understand. We worry about it, we get anxious about it, we get scared of it. None of those are good. But true peace, God's peace, bypasses our understanding. It is so alien to the human mind that reason can't get a hold on it. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.7 Understanding breeds fear by categorizing everything. Anything and everything that it doesn't understand, it fears in some way. From concern to terror, our minds classify it and dwell on it until we can make it go away, ideally by understanding it, but frequently by misguided action. But with the peace of God, we can ignore our understanding. We can ignore the efforts of our minds to classify whatever we are facing. We can trust instead in the abilities and promises of the Lord and use them as the basis by which we judge what is happening around us. Our hearts communicate with our minds much more than our minds communicate with our hearts. That is why it is so important to watch what we put in there. Our minds can be interacted with by us and the world around us. Psychologists and psychiatrists can help us to understand things that have happened to us and build strategies for handling it, but they cannot touch what is in our hearts. Our hearts contain a record of everything that has happened to us, literally, as they contain neurons like the ones in our brains. If we have the things of God in our hearts, His Word, His statutes and His ways, then we have a firm foundation to draw on in times of trouble and stress. If we don't, we are very vulnerable to fear. Our spirits are talking to us all the time. The Holy Spirit is talking to us all the time. We both use the language of the Kingdom because they are both eternal and exist in perfect righteousness. Our hearts are our translator. If we've been putting the Word into it, it can help us make sense of what we are hearing, to hear what we hear, something we're told to do about 17 or 18 times in the Bible directly. We need to look at the previous verses of Philippians to see what is bringing us the peace that is guarding our hearts once the Word is in there. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4, 4-6 We need to get the Word into our hearts and then rejoice in the Lord. Rejoicing in the Lord brings us through His gates and into His courts. Psalm 100, verse 4 His courts are the appropriate place for us to send up our prayers of worship like sweet-smelling incense. Revelation 5, 8 It is also the appropriate place for us to bring our petitions and deal with the legal standing of our lives. Isaiah 54, 17 For the Lord who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited, says, I am the Lord, there is no other. Isaiah 54, 18 This is the God to whom we are presenting our problems and concerns. This is the Father who cares for His beloved children. Psalm 103, 13 and Matthew 7, 11 If this is who is taking care of the issues that we bring forward, we can have perfect confidence that the problems and concerns will be dealt with. If we have perfect confidence that they are being taken care of, we can have perfect peace. In fact, that perfect confidence births perfect peace. Because peace is a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom, and the Lord is the ultimate law and custom. He provides the security and order in life. James 1, 17 Now, I know there's a lot of anti-God's laws talk out there, has been for thousands of years, really. But whether we have an actual law on our books that coincides with the Lord's, say, the commandment against stealing or killing other humans, we have them at our core. Don't disagree until you really think it through. All those values and morals that we prize, loyalty, respect, honesty, integrity, they are all in the Bible. The moral core of each of the Ten Commandments can be found woven throughout our entire society. From culture to culture, nation to nation, community to community, they are there. From the basic manners of restaurants to the rules of a school to the often unspoken conduct requirements in the workplace. Humanity innately has behavior that we prize at the core of who we are. Now, it is true that governments can step in, religions can cause havoc, and those who see themselves as the strong frequently have tried to mold those around them into their image. But the individual people, from place to place across this world, have a common moral compass that guides their day-to-day conduct. But if that's true, then why is it that we all sin? I mean, if we all have a basic moral compass and follow it, then why do we do things that are contrary to it? Because creation fell, Romans 8, 19-21. Our flesh was part of creation, dust of the earth. It is as bent as the rest of creation, and it is the playground of the enemy. For I don't understand what I am doing, for I don't practice what I desire to do, but what I hate, that I do. But if what I don't desire, that I do, I consent to the law that is good. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. For the good which I desire, I don't do. But the evil which I don't desire, that I practice. But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more that I do it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the law, that while I desire to do good, evil is present. For I delight in God's law after the inward person. But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? Romans 7, 15-24 Doesn't give you much hope, does it? No, you have to keep going. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who were in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin. He condemned sin in the flesh, that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8, 1-4 No condemnation, because Jesus paid for our sin on the stake of a Roman executioner. 1 Peter 2-24 Grace extended to us to give us faith to believe. But God, being rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved, and raised us up with Him, and made us to sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2, 4-10 No condemnation, gifted by grace, created in Jesus the Anointed One for good works, which is great, because we have the instruction of today's verse, to follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. Isn't it awesome that whenever God has instructed us to do something, He has also enabled us to do it? That He gives us the tools we need long before we need them? That if we're listening and obedient, by the time we need them, we know how to use them? It is one of the greatest proofs for a living God that He does it all for us so far ahead of time there is no scramble or panic when adversity comes. No one and nothing but a living God could be that well prepared, that far in advance, and to be able to make such a solid, honest, truthful promises of word, deed, and action by humanity come to pass. So what are these things we've been gifted to follow after, to build each other up? Hmm, that brings us back to Philippians, doesn't it? Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. That's pretty clear, and pretty obvious why they bring peace. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor shurning shadow. James 1.17 Thinking about good things is meditation on what God has given us. That should lead us to meditation on and thanksgiving to the Father, who is providing us with the good. Since we can combine that with the Word, and those good things that are eternal, and have worth in building up our spirit, they will resonate peace as we get closer to God. When we acknowledge His hand in the good things around us, and praise Him for it, we are again entering His courts. Once there, we must worship the Father because He is worthy of it. The presence of the Lord brings peace, and so we will soak in that peace. But this is very us-centric. What about that which builds up our fellow believers? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another. Galatians 5, 22-26 While these fruit of the Spirit are beneficial to ourselves, they are not primarily an us thing. They are meant to be what we project to those around us, the fruit we reap of abiding in Jesus. John 15 These are the elements of our personality in Jesus. These are the things we should have and do. These are the fruits that help our fellow believers. Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else. For each man will bear his own burden, but let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. Galatians 6, 1-6 What we find is that again it is by Jesus, in Jesus, and through Jesus, that we accomplish that which has been said before us. Jesus is the only root we have to the Father, because only the purely righteous can stand before Him. We need to be in Jesus, have His righteous spirit in us and on us, to dwell in Him in order to worship before the Father in spirit and truth. John 4, 23-24 It is Jesus from whom we receive the fruit of the Spirit. It is by remaining in Him that the fruit grows in us and comes out of us. Without Him we are nothing. In Him we have everything. By grace, through faith, birthing in us perfect peace. The peace of knowing Jesus guides and directs our steps. Psalm 34, 23-24 The peace of knowing that Jesus has a plan for us. Jeremiah 1, 5 The peace of knowing that Jesus has the power to do anything He wants and the authority to wield it. John 17, 2 The peace of knowing that we are in the hands of the Yahweh God Almighty. Isaiah 62, 3 If we meditate on these things, if we keep these things in our hearts, if we pursue and seek the Lord's face, we will find what we seek. Jeremiah 29, 13 We will walk in peace, walk in praise, and walk in broken humbleness before our Lord, our God, our Savior, our Corrector, our Redeemer, and our Sanctifier. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts and keep in them this knowledge which will inform our every move, every word, and every step, keeping our focus on the Lord and His ways. That is where true peace comes from, and it cannot be shaken. Our daily affirmation of God's love is James 4, 4-10 We want it all. Have the cake and eat it too. To have or enjoy the good parts of something without having or dealing with the bad parts. To have great times with the Lord on Sunday and to have great times enjoying everything else the rest of the week. Whether or not you watch shows that fall in line with your beliefs and morals is not an issue that is going to keep you from heaven. It is belief in Jesus as payment of sin and resurrected to life as your Savior that gains you heaven. But how can you be broken and humble before the Lord Jesus saying, You are Lord of my life, if He has no say as to what websites you go to, what texts you talk, what YouTube content you ingest, what channels you select, and what you listen to. Life is more than clothes and food, said Jesus. But He didn't mean we should keep Him out of our clothing choices or food selection. That doesn't mean that if you wear a crop top, short skirt, hoodies, or jogging pants, that you're doing something right or wrong. It means let Him in on the decision process. There are a hundred reasons to pick a piece of clothing. Guess what? He made you. He knows what you like, what looks good on you. He also knows why you were seeking a given thing. He knows our motives. He sees the hidden things. What material we consume in our eyes and ears matters. What we pick to wear matters. What we put in our mouths matters. Why? Because He made us. He designed us. He wants the best for us. The best for us spiritually. The best for us physically. The best for us mentally. The best for us financially. The best for us in our environment. He wants the best for us. That also doesn't mean life is a bed of roses and He never wants us to have issues. He doesn't promise us that. He promises us blessing in spite of persecution. He promises us success in this world that is broken and stained. But success in the eyes of the Lord is a very different thing than success in the eyes of the world. It is all connected. We can't abide in Jesus if we're abiding in Netflix. We can't abide in Jesus if He isn't part of every part of our lives. If we draw near to God, if we draw near to us, if we seek Him, we will find Him. That is what we need. That is what gets us through financial meltdowns. That is what gets us through supply chain issues. That is what gets us through lack, war, tax hikes, soaring gas prices, and urban breakdown. The world may have trouble and may bring trouble to your doorstep, but God has a plan. Seek Him and you'll get told where to put your feet to walk in accordance with that plan one step at a time. Tunnel vision on Jesus. Refusing to pick up worry, strife, or fear. Oh, the enemy will try and make what is around us a tsunami. But if we resist the devil with the word as we abide in Jesus, submitted to His will in all things, then the devil will flee from us. The situation will exist and God will deal with it, but the devil will no longer be part of the equation. It will be the puddle it always was. Don't be hostile to God. Don't be friends with the world. Be friends with the word and let it guide you in all things. That still, small voice that leads you to oranges, not pears. To this brand, not that. To this color, not that. To this show, this book, this streaming event, this blog, this article. Life is about Jesus and Jesus is about life. Let Him into all of yours. Don't hold back. You won't regret it. As we close, remember that you have worth. You are precious and valuable. Declare this. Today, God loves that I, now you, fill in the blank. Was it a meal you made? A smile you gave? Did you get out of bed? Read? Put on socks? There's no wrong answers here. There is no end to God's love and no end to the things about you that He loves each and every day. Pick one and remember the Lord loves you, just because you're you. First John 4 9-10 tells us by this, God's love was revealed in us that God has sent His only born Son into the world that we might live through Him. And this is love. Not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. His perfect love turned away God's wrath because of sin. And it casts out our fear too. See verses 18 and 19. We love because He first loved us. He just loves us. Can't get enough of us. And that is wonderful. See you next time.