“THE PEACE OF GOD!”

Philippians 4:4-8 7                                                    (ESV)

“4 Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The LORD is at hand;

6 DO NOT BE ANXIOUS about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD.

7 And “THE PEACE OF GOD”, which SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS in CHRIST JESUS.”

The WORD saying DO NOT BE ANXIOUS about ANYTHING is something I have written about many times.  Remember, most of the time when I write, it is not a “sermon” intended for everyone else to adhere to, it is GOD speaking to me and HIM altering my life for HIS Glory.  HE has PLENTY to correct in my behavior before I can begin to start concerning myself with others.  For me, “THE PEACE OF GOD” wasn’t something that I was able to wish upon myself.  It was through a VALLEY that I had to experience that I was able to see that GOD really was in control and that I wasn’t!  

On April 08, 2017 I worked in my yard all day long.  Being on a strict diet, I wasn’t supposed to be doing anything physically demanding, but I “thought” that just riding the mower surely wouldn’t hurt anything?  Of course, when I finished my yard the neighbors yard needed to be mowed.  Then I saw a limb hanging from a tree and got my ladder and chainsaw out.  Cutting the limb down and hauling it the burn pile I begin to feel as though I had pulled a muscle in my upper chest.  A text to my doctor resulted in me getting the muscle pull “checked out”, which led to quadruple bypass surgery on April 11.  

Having heart surgery has always been a big fear of mine.  Many friends have have serious problems with their heart surgery and with my health history I didn’t want to have anyone inside of my chest!  However, when they said that I needed bypass surgery, it was if “THE PEACE OF GOD” enveloped me and my fears were completely diminished.  The cardiac surgeon said my small coronary arteries were bypassed with a donor artery from my leg and it was a LOT larger.  My blood flow should be less restricted.  

The Sunday School lesson (of which I was the teacher!) from the week before was on Genesis 50:20-21. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.  So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”  GOD prepared me for this excursion a week ahead, AND I HAD NO CLUE!  

Romans 8:28 says “And WE KNOW that for those who love GOD ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose.”  If I am called according to HIS purpose, then why should I fret over anything???  “THE PEACE OF GOD” is there for us, we just have to BELIEVE that HE IS WHO HE says HE is!!!