The Peace Of God

"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

Although we are tempted to be anxious, there is no reason to succumb to such anxious thoughts.  Help is always available.  Not the usual kind of help that we are familiar, but rather help that is available to us in Christ.

The preceding verses (Phil 4:4-6), talks about rejoicing always, about letting your forbearing spirit be known to all men...and about being not anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, presenting your requests known to God.

 

God has promised His peace to those who bring all their anxieties to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:7).

The peace that God is offering is not based on the belief that I will get what I ask for but rather that

I will get what I truly want based on God’s purpose for my life.

 

Peace is a wonderful thing. Peace is something that the whole world desires. The peace that we can enjoy through prayer is far superior to anything that the world has to offer because this peace transcends all understanding, all barriers and is from a much superior source, from our God.

"A contented spirit is the sweetness of existence."


Rev Dr. Ronnie Ng

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

God is our refuge and strength. Not our armies, or our fortresses. Israel's boast is in Jehovah, the only living and true God. Others vaunt their impregnable castles, placed on inaccessible rocks, and secured with gates of iron, but God is a far better refuge from distress than all these: and when the time comes to carry the war into the enemy's territories, the Lord stands his people in better stead than all the valour of legions or the boasted strength of chariot and horse. Soldiers of the cross, remember this, and count yourselves safe, and make yourselves strong in God. Forget not the personal possessive word our; make sure each one of your portion in God, that you may say, "He is my refuge and strength." Neither forget the fact that God is our refuge just now, in the immediate present, as truly as when David penned the word. God alone is our all in all. All other refuges are refuges of lies, all other strength is weakness, for power belongeth unto God: but as God is all sufficient, our defence and might are equal to all emergencies. A very present help in trouble, or in distress he has so been found, he has been tried and proved by his people. He never withdraws himself from his afflicted. He is their help, truly, effectually, constantly; he is present or near them, close at their side and ready for their succour, and this is emphasized by the word very in our version, he is more present than friend or relative can be, yea, more nearly present than even the trouble itself. To all this comfortable truth is added the consideration that his assistance comes at the needed time. He is not as the swallows that leave us in the winter; he is a friend in need and a friend indeed. When it is very dark with us, let brave spirits say, "Come, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm."

"A fortress firm, and steadfast rock,
Is God in time of danger;
A shield and sword in every shock,
From foe well known or stranger."

"In life, there are times when there is no where to turn; no comfort is given; there is no solace to the suffering soul.  But God is your present refuge, if He is but called upon."

Greater Works

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

When He says, he that believeth on me, the word believeth is in the present tense. He who keeps believing on Me – there is your condition, and then you have a promise - it’s two fold. He first says, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go to my Father, and my friend, the promises here are given to an individual - He says he who keeps depending on Me, the works that I do shall he do also. And greater works than these shall he do. Why? He says, Because I go unto my Father, what was He referring to? Well look down at verse 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, (the Holy Spirit) that he may abide with you forever.

He is tying the promise to greater works to the fact that He was going to send and receive the promise of the Spirit, and send the Spirit. In other word, the greater works are tied to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in this age of the Spirit. It is time that God’s people take Jesus Christ’s words for what they say. He says he who keeps believing on Me, he who keeps depending on Me, the works I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do. Greater works! And my friend, where are they? Where are the greater works today? Has God lost His power? Is He asleep? Does He not care? People of God grown dull in their faith. I want us to see tonight, that Jesus promises greater works to those who keep depending on Him. And what’s involved in going from greater works to greater works?

The words of God provide the foundation for the works of God
Jn 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Dependence of faith in the words of God accesses the works of God
Jn 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The Holy Spirit must convince you of the words of God in order for you to depend on them.Jn 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Dependence on the words of God for the works of God precedes dependence on the greater works of God for the greater works of God.Jn 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

The expression of faith for greater works is God-dependent asking based on greater works.Jn 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

When The Enemy Come In Like A Flood

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19)

Ridley Havergal has reminded:

"God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our life through."

The struggle within

1. The enemy: Satan, Devil, the Accuser of the Brethren, the who can destroy a soul: Matt 10: 28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

2. The flood: sudden, destructive, overwhelming, watery grave... i.e. our total inability to stand against the onslaught... can’t swim against, stand against nor hold it back

a. You know that feeling when the flood comes in: feeling of loose, powerlessness, wandering about the future
b. Job the classic example
c. This happens sometimes within us: Satan battling for our minds

The struggle with the outside

Persecution, sins, immorality etc.

The Standard of God

1. His Name, His character, and His own work
2. His Son... in the midst of a flood, what is it that fights against the enemy, the nature of Jesus within us. It is His concern to fight and ours to follow the standard bearer (Jesus) and keep our eyes on the standard (Jesus).
3.  He will judge His enemies.
4.  The Redeemer comes to those who turn from transgression (i.e. repent)
5.  He establishes a New Covenant with His people: His Spirit is upon them and His Words are on their lips.

"The Grace of God runs faster than human transgression."