10-26-18 The First 15

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The Weekly Overview One of the most powerful marks of a believer is transcendent peace. This world offers us no reason to be peaceful. It offers us no reason to be without stress, burdens, cares, and total frustration. But we serve a God who offers us peace in the midst of any circumstance. We serve a God in whom all true peace finds its source. May you discover the heart of your heavenly Father to bring you peace this week. The Scripture “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 The Worship Experience Artist: The Belonging Co. feat. Lauren Daigle Song: Peace Be Still The Devotional Verses telling of the peace available to us in all circumstances are some of the most encouraging and powerful truths of Scripture. God longs for us to be children marked by the peace of our Father. He longs for us to have peace in the good and bad times because he remains faithful and good, always. He longs for us to be so founded in him that this world can’t shake us. You and I have every reason to live with the stresses and cares of the world save one: God dwells within us. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” We serve the Lord of peace. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us is wholly peaceful. And Galatians 5:22 tells us that he will bear the fruit of peace in our lives if we simply live in continual communion with him. Circumstances begin to rob us of our peace the minute we choose to live as if God isn’t within us. Trials and tribulations will become all-consuming if we allow them to. You see, we are not to live with our physical eyes as our sole source of truth. God has granted us spiritual eyes and the ability to have faith in his faithfulness and goodness regardless of our circumstances. He’s given us the ability to choose to live with union with him as our foundation. We are not alone. We are never alone. The God who authored Scripture, knows all of eternity, raised Christ from the dead, and empowered the disciples dwells within us, always. You will only live with peace in this life to the level that you live out of the union you have with God. In every situation, God is with you, ready and willing to lead you, empower you, sustain you, and fill you with peace in response to your trust. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Peace is our portion. And this peace is not given as the world gives, based on the fickle nature of man and the ever-changing opinion of the world. Heavenly peace finds its source solely in the unchanging nature of our good and loving heavenly Father. You and I are commanded by Jesus, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). We must take captive our emotions and ground them in the unshakable nature of God. We must allow a direct connection from our hearts to the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, letting him speak to us, fill us, and direct our every moment. The peace of God transcends anything we will experience on this earth. If we place our lives in the capable hands of our heavenly Father, we can trust that his perfect, pleasing plans will be done in our lives. Take time today to ground your peace in the unshakable nature of your heavenly Father. Take time to turn your eyes away from the world as your source of peace and set them instead on union with God. May the Holy Spirit reveal his nearness to you in mighty and powerful ways today as you open your heart and receive his loving presence. The Prayer 1. Meditate on the peace available to you in all circumstances. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 2. In what ways do you look to the world for your peace? Who or what holds the reigns on your emotions and peace? 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal his nearness to you. Ask him to help you discover the union you already have with him. Take your eyes off the things of the world and establish your peace in God alone. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13 Learning to receive our peace from God alone is a process. When we’ve lived with the world as our emotional source it takes time to ground ourselves in God. But this is a process worth doing. God has unshakable peace in store for you every day regardless of the circumstances you face. He has love, joy, and steadfastness available to you in every trial and tribulation. Look to God as your source today and discover the abundant life available to you in him alone. Extended Reading:  John 14 CRAIG DENISON is the author and founder of First15, a daily devotional guiding tens of thousands of believers into a fresh experience with God's presence every day. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife, Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God.