Some secular people structure their lives to carry peace through discipline or meditation resulting in ordered lives.

We, as Christians, are also called to meditate – but on the word of God. Wrong believing in the world, but also with Christians, can think that peace is a consequence of having enough – enough finance, food, social activity, friends etc. But God is the cause and the author of peace. Isaiah 9: 6 – 7 proclaims that Jesus “….. is the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.” Jehovah Shalom (peace) is one of the many names of our God.

The Lord gives us His peace, a part of Himself.

2 Timothy 2: 24 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive.”

Philippians 2 : 3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory.”

On occasion a “striving contest” for the place of top dog can take place within me – a contest for superiority, having the last word. It is a bad move to enter in to contest with the Living God!

Last week we mentioned J.Whittier’s hymn, “Dear Lord and Father of mankind,” (Full print out of words to hymn at end of blog). In one verse the hymn writer pens the request: “Reclothe us in our rightful mind.” We have a right to this mind, the mind of Christ. See the following scriptures:

1 Corinthians 2:16 ” – but we have the mind of Christ.”

Philippians 2: 5 “LET this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus……” we have responsibility in “letting”, in choosing to yield to Him……continuing on in verses 7 – 8, “but (Jesus) made Himself of no reputation………….He humbled Himself and became obedient…………..”

We have been given the mind of Christ, it is our birthright to operate under it, where peace rules and striving ceases. I make a choice in any given situation, and He gloriously comes along side of my choice and makes impossible possible.

Isaiah declares, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” Perfect peace is the “Sabbath rest” of God. (Hebrews 4).

My life can be likened to God’s field. He comes to inspect His property. Sometimes I deem my life to be like a fallow field, judging there is little happening – but there is purpose in fallow that I need to recognise in God’s plan. The other extreme is that I can get comfortable with fallow, but most surely there will come a day when the Lord will appear with His plough to break up my fallow ground to bring an eventual increase for His glory. The processes are locked up in God’s timing, purposes and peace. It is my responsibility to yield to them under His mighty hand. A person operating in the peace of God is very attractive and a joy to be with because they are carrying the Presence.

We have only just entered in to “Tabernacles.” We are just over the threshold but there is so much more! God’s way is declared how He teaches us and brings us to His understanding in Isaiah 28: 9 – 10. “For precept must be upon precept ….line upon line, here a little and there a little.”

Thus the work continues as God is refining us to fit His call upon our lives and the gifts He has given us. The Giver of all gifts, Jesus Christ, is resident within every born-again Believer and can manifest in any way, at any time, if I am sensitive and learn to yield to His promptings.

In this present dispensation, the people of God should no longer be interested in titles, but learning to operate spontaneously to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating an effectiveness in the Body of Christ and fulfilling what God has called us to do, and caused us to be as we carry His peace, – His Presence.

Christ in me, bringing glory to God!

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By J. G.WHITTIER

Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Forgive our foolish ways,
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find
In deeper reverence, praise

In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea,
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love.

With that deep hush subduing all
Our works and words that drown
The tender whisper of Thy call
As noiseless let Thy blessing fall
As fell Thy manna down.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness
Till all our striving cease,
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!

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INTERPRETATION OF TONGUE IN OUR GATHERING TODAY

For to you all there is a time, a place and a season. First the seed submitted to the earth with no visible life, but unseen and secret, known only to God, there is a formation of root taking place – invisible – nothing to be seen on the surface. Eventually the green shoot appears – and so it is in the economy of God in the things of the earth. Time passes, there is a bud, then a flower before the fruit appears.

So it is in the Spiritual – just a seed dropped in to a life with no visible results. But He has said, “No word of Mine shall return to me void.” The seed at the right time will germinate, the green shoot will appear when God has gone before and prepared that which is necessary for it’s growth.

So be not agitated! God knows the right time for the seed to germinate when He has all in place for it to be fed and nourished. Rest! You have put it in to His hands – so leave it there. Do not try and help and take it back. He knows the right time, so REST!