Monday, September 24, 2007
Inner Peace

Yesterday,I had HT 'shadow' duty for the first time. Hence I arrived in church around 11 50 to make sure I would not be late. While I was in church, I took a sit among some of the chairs outside max pavilion to watch the Chinese service. Now to think of it, I actually do enjoy listening to Chinese but I just dislike learning Chinese at a pace which I’m not comfortable in.

Anyways, Pastor Melvin was preaching about inner peace in service today. I always enjoy listening to Pastor Melvin humorous way of teaching the word of God for us and I felt that God spoke a lot to me through his message today. I will process what I have learnt from him and hopefully it will be an encouragement to you. Especially those who are taking their exams soon or those who have taken their exams but worry about their results.

The only way of getting inner peace in our heart is to experience God’s peace. So how can we enjoy God’s peace? There are 3 main points: Pray, Ponder, Practice.

The first thing we need to do is Pray which represents the hope of our heart.
In Philippians 4:6-7, it is written ‘do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.'
This was one of the very first verses that I memorised with my cell in the beginning of this year.
There are 4 things we need to include when we pray:
a)Everything
When we pray, we pray not only of the big things but also of the small things. Pray about everything, for everything that you speak to God will connect you with Him. It will help sensitise our hearts to God
b)Thanksgiving
When we pray, let us pray everything with thanksgiving, for it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, ‘give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.’
c)Trusting
When we pray, we have to trust in God for the peace and the answer. In Isaiah 26:3, it says 'You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.'
d)Releasing
When we pray, let us release our problems to the Lord and trust that He will solve it. It is only then, you will receive a great sense of peace that transcends all understanding.

The second point is Ponder which represents the mastery of our mind.
'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.' Phil 4:8
We have to renew our minds and ponder about the positive things. It is said in 2 Cor 10:5 that we have devine power to demolish strongholds. Hence, let us cut off every negative thought so that God's peace can flow in our hearts.

The last point is Practice which represents the working of our will.
'Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.' Phil 4:9
We have to put God's word into practice even though it might seem hard for us to do.
In James 1:22 says, 'Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.'
Pastor said it was like following Nike's slogan, 'Just Do It'. Indeed, we just have to put God's word into practice so that the God of peace will be with you.

God says to you today not to worry anymore, for He is always with you. Trust in Him and His peace will be with you .

Labels: Devotion