Good Morning,
We who are being discerning and sensitive to God and Holy Spirit recognize the season that we are in. We tend to forget that in order to build our spiritual muscles, there must be opposing forces (trials, tests and tribulations), pressure from without, in order for us to apply pressure upon the Word of God that we have hidden in our heart. Listen to the Words of Jesus that He spoke to His disciples before He was severely tested; "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but (except for the fact) be of good cheer (take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted!) For I have overcome the world. (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.") (John 16:33) Peace means freedom from internal commotion, disturbance, agitated passions, anxiety, or fear; quiet of conscience, tranquility (a calm inner stability that results in the ability to conduct oneself with wholeness, even in the midst of circumstances or outward pressures that would be normally traumatic or upsetting. This kind of peace is supernatural and can only be produced by you yielding to Holy spirit. This kind of 'peace' strongly suggests the rule of order in the place of chaos. "Peace I leave you: My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid, (stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled)." (John 14:27) From the words, "do not let your hearts be troubled", we understand that 'we' can choose between being in peace or allowing ourselves to become troubled, agitated, fearful, cowardly or intimidated. The word 'let' means to permit, to allow, to give leave or power to; grant possession or permission. We are told, do not let, do not permit; do not allow; do not give leave or power to fear, intimidation, agitated passions,or distresses. We are to prevent, withhold and restrain ourselves from becoming anxious, fearful, distressed and disturbed by staying 'in Him; and keeping our minds stayed on the Word. Hey, we possess the power to say, no! No, to being unsettled and troubled, right in the midst of the storms of life, where the pressure is being applied.
Galatians 5:22 – "But the fruit of the Holy Spirit (the work which His presence within accomplishes) is love, joy, peace etc.," The Spirit is working within us and accomplishing peace in us. We can allow freedom from internal commotion, disturbances, agitating passions, fear and anxiety. Then you and I can have stability that will result in our ability to conduct ourselves with confidence, certainty, courage, and not be dismayed. Jesus said, "so that in Me you may have perfect peace." "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You." (Is.26:3) This perfect peace includes everything that concerns our life; it includes safety, prosperity, health, welfare, and completeness. The condition of this peace is that our minds are stayed on Him. Mind here means frame, thing framed, imagination; comes from to mold into form, or squeeze into shape. Imagination is the power or faculty of the mind by which it conceives and forms ideas or what is communicated. In other words we must keep a form' or a picture' or an image' of God and His Word imprinted or tattooed in 'our mind', where our thoughts, intents and emotions are being formed. Tattooing represents something that is more than skin deep and is not easily removed. It is consistently deep, as the Word should be in our hearts or minds. This is how we overcome (subdue, prevail, get the victory) or get the better of obstacles or difficulties, distresses, fears, agitations, trials, tribulations and tests. For the Word promises this; "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom. 8:6) Keeping our minds stayed on His Word is spiritually minded, which will work peace in us. So as pressure comes from without you apply pressure back with the Word that you have received and you will begin to develop stronger spiritual muscles of peace. Keep the peace!!
"Peace for a mind that's stayed on Him"
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 