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Finding and Abiding in Perfect Peace PDF Print E-mail
Teaching - Word Of The Week
Written by Sandra Christensen   
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 07:56

I am discovering for myself that what I think about myself is how I will act. I have also realized that all my thoughts are not my own and have wicked origins with a plot of destruction.

 

AS YOU THINK….

In the Old Testament, thinking is defined as” logos” or as we know it logic. It is also defined as the gate keeper, porter and janitor. So I concluded for myself that to think with the mind of Christ is to be an alert gatekeeper of my mind. Allowing the mind of Christ will discern and protect me from the thoughts that are not of God from crossing the threshold into my heart.

Are you thinking as the gatekeeper or the janitor of your thoughts… are you watching diligently what is going in and coming out, or are you just cleaning up the messes after the crowds? Are you guarding your heart with all diligence or allowing the satan to master mind plots of wickedness and deceit?

Are you guarding the entrance to your heart or turning your back pretending not to notice letting the enemy slip in?

 

Phil 4:6-8

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. KJV

Oh child of God guard your heart guard your heart!!

For out of it flow the rivers of life. Do you have polluted rivers or pure, pristine flows? The enemy has a plan of attack for this sacred area of your life do you have an offensive plan?


I ask myself this question as earnestly as I ask you. Earnestly I have been following after and pursuing keeping my peace, that peace that Christ gave me, not the same as the world’s peace.

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. KJV

I am aware that when I stay calm not letting myself be troubled or afraid I am more present in the moment and better at responding according to Spirit. I am much better able to perceive and know the spiritual temperature of those around me. I am much more able to see and meet needs and love others. I am also much more able to see and know truth or lie coming into my own mind, and to hear and discern it from others.

 

Working at and practicing keeping my peace is an offensive move rather than defensive.

If I am defensive then I am already being attacked and feel troubled and fearful. If I am offensive I am thwarting and dissembling the attack before it can even get to me. Meditating on the peace of God that surpasses all understanding has awakened in me the power to filter my thoughts as they are coming which results in thwarting the enemies plans. In Phillipians 4 scripture speaks of a peace that surpasses understanding keeping our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

What is this peace? How do we find this “peace” that will keep us?

In Ephesians 2 we find out.

Eph 2:12-18

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. KJV

These scriptures alert us to the fact that Christ has broken down every wall and barrier of communications with God. In Christ we have free access to God. He is that free flowing river of life living in us and flowing out to us and through us to others. If we are staying in the peace that passes understanding, we do so in the (same) mind (thinking) of Christ. Christ knew what the Father had said, done, and would do. His relationship with His Father was based on a solid knowledge and trust of who He knew God to be. We also are able, with the mind of Christ, to hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of Christ.

 

Our responsibility is to tap into Him. Our denial of Him and our own carnal thinking is our greatest threat of destruction. When the enemy comes in like a flood the battle belongs to Him. He is the great and mighty sifter. In Him (His same thinking) we can know the truth and the truth will set us free and keep us free. Our thoughts set forth expectations and expectations send forth energy to create. If we are fearful and troubled we will not see or discern clearly and can actually set trouble in motion. If we are focused on Christ in us and purposed towards His thinking our energies will promote love at all times, and perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18 )

 

As an example last week at work I was tending to my own business with a troubled child. A co-worker came up and made a negative comment about how another co-worker would perceive the trouble I was experiencing. At that point I had had no other thoughts than those that concerned the child and how I could help him. Immediately my spirit sank and my eyes were opened to an opinion about the person they spoke of. I could feel my soul wanting to attach to this negative spirit. I had a split second to decide to pick up stones against one or either of my coworkers, but because I was alert to my spirit and the unsettledness I felt, I knew immediately that an enemy was trying to infiltrate my thinking and cause me to lose or give away my peace… I took the thought captive and cast it down and chose to not give it another moments notice or attention. I kept my peace, I was able to calm the child, and I did not attach any condemnation on my coworkers. If the pit had had it’s way I would have been agitated which would have affected the child, I would have formed attitudes and hostilities that would affect my relationships with my co-workers. And I would have been sending forth judgments that would condemn and hinder them and myself. I preferred the peace followed the Spirit and remained alert, sensitive and loving to others. The hard part is that instant where the thought comes in and the decision/ discernment has to be made. I fail more often than I succeed but I know that it is just a matter of practicing His presence in me that will lead to more and more victory.

 

So ask yourself next time the enemy comes to you to taunt you or lure you into his trap….. Is this the truth? Is this the thoughts of Christ ?

And with a quick and peaceful resolution cast it down. This is what I was created for. To be the manifested presence of God in Christ on this earth bringing the love and peace of God to those who are apart from Him and not knowing Him. I am a resurrected life, there is nothing that can or will separate me from the love of God while Christ resides in me!

 

I am a liberated, consecrated child of God and I will not be deceived. God will not be mocked and what the enemy attempts to convince me of has no love or truth in it. I choose or will to take back what the enemy has tried so desperately to control my mind, thoughts and feelings.

 

I choose to stay in Christ and his perfect peace.

 
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