Tuesday, December 12, 2017

 
 
 
 
Devotional for Tuesday, December 12, 2017
 
“God’s Peace the Controlling Factor”
 
by Dona Hake
 
 
 
Colossians 3:15-17 Amplified
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].  Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
 
 
I would like to look at these scriptures over the next few days.   Today I am wanting you to ponder closely what we are to allow God’s peace to do in our hearts and minds.   
 
God’s peace will only rule and reign in us…IF we permit it to.  The scripture instructs us to  “Let the peace of Christ…”  If it up to us to grant the occupancy of our Lord’s peace in our hearts and minds then we must watch over it, and guard it.    It is a choice that we have, and no one can force us to maintain peace nor can they do it for us.    We must guard our hearts and minds.   Every good thing that we are blessed with, we must guard and cherish.        I think of how easy it is to be preoccupied with things that are needful to do in a day, but if we do not guard our peace, anxious thoughts will try to come and take occupancy in our minds.     Either we let God’s peace reign or we let things   come and go that would take the place of God’s peace.   Many times we may have concerns in our hearts about our loved ones or cares about our future.   If we do not give those cares and concerns to our Lord, we will let those concerns begin to rule and rob our peace.
 
We have been given the perfect instruction on how to guard God’s peace.  It is found in Philippian4:8-9
 
“Finally, [a]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].  The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.”
 
 
Today I encourage you to think about how you guard God’s peace in you.  May we center our minds on these things and implant them in our hearts! Let His peace be the ruling thing within you that decides and settles every thing you face today, in Jesus Name!