18/02/2018: When Peace Comes
CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 91: 1-2: 14-16
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
READINGS
Psalm 31:7:
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and know the anguish of my soul.”
Isaiah 32: 17 NKJV & C26: 3 NIV
The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
John 14:27 NLT & 1Corinthians 14:33ESV & Colossians 3:16ESV
I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid. God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.
1.The history behind the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul,”
2.Pastor Randy Alcorn in his book “If God Is Good” published a letter written by
Shauna Hernandez whose mother had died of cancer. Thoughts Shauna recently shared about the loss of her mom and trusting God in grief. What she wrote is beautiful and powerful, and applicable to any who have suffered loss and pain.
READINGS
Isaiah 66:12–14
For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.”
- Story from a Pastor’s heart: with permission:
When I met her: I knew she loved Jesus…knew her Bible…Bible literate…filled with the Holy Spirit…beautiful looking yet marred with pain…totally abusive marriage (physically\verbally\emotionally)…he was an elder in the church…last minute planned escape…trying to find herself (identity) unable to make any decisions…harassed by their minister’s daily phone calls telling her what a rotten sinner she was (committing the unpardonable sin) …financial manipulation and the pain and heart ache that goes with it…final decisions…and everything that goes with making new friends…finding a new place to worship and fellowship…a job…a place to live…as time went on…
Psalm 31:7:
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and know the anguish of my soul “ unfolded in her life…peace like a river continued to flow. Sometimes it comes in unusual ways…
DRU’S STORY
4. Are you seeking the kind of peace that is more than a feeling and not dependent on circumstances? This peace is called Jesus-the Prince of Peace. He doesn’t give you peace but he wants to be your peace. Peace grows from your relationship with Him. This is how it grows…you don’t only seek after it…but you also want to be a peacemaker. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God during conflict.
Romans 15: 33NIV
Let the God of Peace (Shalom \wholeness in your soul) be with you!
TALK TIME
Share your experiences with your “family group.”