The other day Mt. Ontake erupted and many died. And in Hiroshima, many calamities like landslides and water disasters are occurring. In such situations, I believe there are feelings of insecurity and fear. And there are those who are not only concerned about natural disasters, but they are carrying insecure thoughts of future, or having anxious feelings concerning life expectancy, illnesses, finances, payments, ability to make a living, about business or family worries. The other day I received a phone call. This person is an earnest Christian, but because he is insecure in this way, he was suffering from the thought that maybe it is because he has sinned. And, there are others who feel insecure for they are not sure if their family would be saved or whether they can go to heaven, or whether their prayers are being heard or not. There are also those who are full of insecure feelings because many end time phenomena are taking place, and so, they are wondering if they will be saved or not. In this message I would like to look into why people have insecure feelings.
Today, I would like for you to be delivered from all insecure feelings. And not only be delivered, but for those who are attacked by anxiety, if you are able to understand its reason, then the insecure feelings would be gone and peace will come upon you. Therefore, I would like to talk about this and get it across to you.
First of all, it is written that for those who do not believe in God, peace does not exist.
Isaiah 59:8-9
8 The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. 9 So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
The non-believers, especially, walk though this kind of a path. As Christians, we have the “righteousness,” and we are able to receive the light, therefore, being Christians, our walks are ordered to walk in peace. Yet, if there are many kinds of worries, then we must look into what might be its reason. What is clear is that, these people do not know that their problems are solved, or they have not received it. If we are to know this and receive it, then there would be no more worries. To put it simply, if you are in need of \300,000, but you learned that you will be remitted \1,000,000, then, there is no need for worry. I believe, therefore, in discovering what it is that we are being given, we shall become free.
In the Bible, there are commands from Jesus. What is it that the Bible is trying to give to us? Some may be in need of money because they have financial problems. Others may seek healing because they are sick. But if we are to ask, what is the most important necessity? It is not the solution to various problems, but to express it in one word, it is “peace”. If one is in a financial need of \300,000, but learns that \1,000,000 is being remitted, then insecurity is gone. We tend to think that if individual problems are solved, then we will be satisfied, but rather, if we are at peace, then those issues are not problems.
How did Jesus instruct the disciples when they went out to preach? Did He say to them, should they see someone in need of money, give him money? If there is someone who is ill, of course, Jesus will heal. But what is it that God is trying to give to us? If there is someone here who is holding on to insecurity, I would really like for you to know God’s purpose and plan, receive it, and be at peace.
Mathew 10:12, 13
“12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.”
When Jesus’ disciples went to the towns to preach, what did they say? The command of Jesus was that they “pray for peace”. We are gathered here today. What are we to gain from here to continue on with our Christian living? We are here to receive the way to walk life in peace.
When I went to the Tokyo seminar, there was a sister who was insecure about many things. But this person had gradually come to understand the things that God had done, and she received them. And the other day she was saying, “Pastor, it is not that I don’t have any problems, but I am at peace.” For we believe in Jesus, therefore, we have peace. What did Jesus do for us? Let us begin to know this. When we read the Epistles in the Bible, there are some common elements. This prayer is not like for those in financial need, let money come; or, for those who are sick, let healing come. The direction Jesus gave was to pray for peace, wasn’t it? What were written in the Epistles of the disciples?
In Romans 1:7, Paul wrote like this. Let us look at it.
Romans 1:7
“To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is written, “May the grace and peace be upon you”. What we Christians must have above of all, is “peace”. For us to live peaceful lives is God’s plan for us. Often, in Paul’s Epistles, we find these words.
1 Corinthians 1:3
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:2
”Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Galatians 1:3
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.
Ephesians 1:2
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Somewhat different is:
Ephesians 2:3
“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”
But what is common is that they all have “peace”. Differing, here, it is worded, “love with faith”.
Colossians 1:2
“To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
1 Thessalonians 1:1
“Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.”
2 Timothy 1:2
“To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Here, it says, “grace, mercy and peace.” If we do not have peace as Christians, then something is not right. This is God’s plan. Peter says so, too.
1 Peter 1:2
“Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
Before sending out His disciples, Jesus said, “Pray for peace.” The disciples were faithfully following this command even after the death of Jesus, weren’t they? What needs to be done by you who became a Christian is to pray for “peace” for the non-believers. You yourself must live a peaceful life. This is what God wants for us to receive. Jude, the disciple of Jesus wrote this Epistle.
Jude 1:2
“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”
What is the Bible saying? It is calling for us to be at peace. Every week we declare this, don’t we? What was the plan of God?
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God wants you to live a life that is peaceful. As this world is controlled by Satan, Satan will bring all kinds of problems. There are financial problems, various troubles, sickness, etc. Though they may be Christians, if they do not know the plans of God, they will become insecure. They ask, “Why must these things happen? How long is this going to last? Is it ever going to be solved?” But for those who know the plans of God, they are thinking, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you”, therefore, their conditions surely change to not harm them. Those who have received will change to begin thinking in this way. Because people sin, there are so many people who are taken by guilt. The prodigal son was feeling insecure as he was heading home, thinking, “What would father say”. As I earlier mentioned, this is because he does not know the heart of God. He had an insecure feeling that he might be reprimanded by the father.
The reason why many Christians are insecure is because they do not know the heart of God. If we read the Bible that says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, then those that believed it can carry on in believing, “my life is planned to prosper and not to harm me, to give me hope and future, therefore, all these problems are going to be solved”.
This is important that we “receive”. God gave us the “Word” through people (prophets) didn’t He? That seed of the Word, what does the Bible say about what seed it is of?
Zachariah 8:12
“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.”
It is our inheritance, isn’t it? What we have received is the “seed of peace”. We became Christians and we received the plans of peace, and the seed of peace. The deeper your faith becomes, the less your worries will be. You will be a person at peace. I have talked of the growth process of Christians. First, we must come to know that we are forgiven. The last time we have talked about the woman who was caught in adultery (John 8:1-2). Jesus did not condemn this person. He forgave her. This woman must have been nervous to think what might happen to her. However, I believe she must have come to know the heart of God and walked in light.
Now, we must know what the plans of God are. This is a review from the last time, but even Paul is saying he commits sin. “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me” (Romans 7:17). “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Of course, we shall confess our sins, but those who know the heart of God, do not get disheartened. The more we know the heart of God, the freer we become. This is because God’s plan for us is to be at “peace”. The more you know the Bible, the more you will be at peace. What kind of “peace” will we be given? If there are those who have not experienced this yet, please believe the Bible all the more. For if you do so, you will taste the peace you have never felt before, and obtain it in your Christian living, and in your life. Those people in financial need, should they win the lottery they will be at peace. But as the money gets used up, insecurity grows gradually. That peace is of this world. The peace we receive is not the peace of the world. What kind of peace is it?
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The longer you live your Christian life, the more you will come to be a person whose heart is not disturbed. And then you will become a person who does not fear. Those who are insecure are still at the growing stage. When we read the Bible, we will know the heart of God. And then we will know, “all will be fine”. And this peace is not what the world gives. This is a great “peace” that you had not experienced prior to becoming a Christian. I am at peace every day. I do not get disturbed when problems arise. It is because God has a plan for me that is peace. Because problems are destined to be solved, I am at peace.
There are those who become insecure when answers to their prayers are prolonged. As we grow in our Christian life and come to know the heart of God, we will ①come to know that we have been forgiven, and as I mentioned the last time, in the next step, ②become conscious that we are blessed, for this is God’s plan, too, and next, we ③will know that we are loved by God. Please grow in knowing that you are loved by God. If you know that you are loved by God, why must you worry about various things? God will take care. When happenings cause a thought of, “Oh, no, what shall I do?” You will instead be able to say, “Because I am loved by God, all will be well.” And when you grow further, you ④will become a person who loves God. You will grow toward saying, “Because I love Him, l want to do what God wants to do”. You may not get to this stage right away. Therefore, at first you must become aware of the fact that you are forgiven, and that God’s plan for you is to give you peace.
Let us say out loud:
“I am destined to live a life not of harm but of prosperity, future and hope. Amen”
A certain sister’s daughter said she is going abroad on her own. This sister was full of worry. But she proclaimed, “God’s plans is to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Amen.” And she received this and believed, “God will protect her daughter”, so she stopped worrying. She was able to stop worrying because she found out the heart of God.
Why do we read the Bible? Is it because you have to read it? Not so.
It is because we want to know the heart of God. We want to know what God had done for us. In this way we are being prepared. Let us look at another way of saying this. God is trying to give us peace. Please enter into this realm. You will stop worrying in life. God is promising. Those that are insecure know this, and have heard it, but they have not received it. They start to think intellectually. We must receive. When we receive we are no longer insecure.
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This peace is the “peace of God”. It transcends all understanding. The circumstance may be such that no human can think of it as peaceful, but in a condition that one cannot be at peace, peace is found. This is the kind of peace Christians have. Though without money, unemployed and sick, yet you are able to savor the peace. Why do we suffer in sickness? It is because we do not know whether we will be healed or not.
But if we find out what Jesus had done for us, then that worry will be gone. In verse 7, it is written, “your hearts and minds”. Hearts and minds, in other words, your spirit and soul become peaceful, and this is the peace that God gives. There are those who are insecure in their minds, and those who are insecure in their hearts. And there are those who are insecure in both. But the peace of God protects both the heart and the mind. If your heart and mind are being protected, you do not have to worry. Everyone, please enter into this realm. I always talk with my wife, saying, “We are very blessed. Even though we do not have money, we are at peace.” Verse 7 has the Word, “And.” Since verse 7 begins with “And”, we must take a look at what is said in verse 6. What is it that we must do to have peace. Let us look at verses 4 to 6.
Philippians 4:4-6
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Why do we become anxious? It is because we are not sure whether God knows of our concerns, or whether He will be seeing to our troubles or not. The Word says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving”. When you come across a problem, you must pray to God. Many say, “I am praying. I am praying to God that my illness gets healed, that money comes to me. But it doesn’t work.” How are we are to pray? It is by, “prayer and petition, with thanksgiving”.
Do you know what that is about?
I always say this. What brings about gratitude? If someone you do not know comes toward you from afar, saying to you, “Thank you, thank you”, you would feel awkward as he approaches. Why is that? It is because you are being thanked for not having done anything. This does not happen. The “prayer with thanksgiving”, is a prayer in which you know what has been done for you. Many are praying, but they are not praying the prayer with thanksgiving. I had payments to make the other day, but I am praying with the prayer of thanksgiving. God says for us not to be anxious. And then all will be solved. Therefore, I pray, “Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus. I thank you because I can make all my payments. I will not be troubled by money matters.”
There was a time when I was going to Okinawa, a typhoon happened to come. But I do not get anxious. My plane will definitely take off. Of course, if it does not fly due to God’s will, it is because God has another purpose. But if it was God’s will that I go to Okinawa, it shall be so. Therefore, this typhoon headed toward west of Okinawa, then detoured east heading to Kyushu, and went upward. I stayed for a week as scheduled and returned. I do not get concerned, I do not become anxious. I do not become anxious about my children’s future nor about family member’s illness. God will give you peace. Indeed, through,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
“Lord, I give thanks. I am blessed. God has for me ‘plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.’ Therefore, all my problems are destined to be solved.” Do pray in this way. Then at that time the answers will arrive.
Now, there is the connecting word “And”. The reason why we become peaceful is that we believe God will give us the best for what we had prayed about. Those who are praying without believing, thinking, “Well, the Bible says so, but will God do it?” These people are not receiving it. Therefore, they can’t give thanks. You may not understand this, but why don’t you at least try it, pretending that you have been fooled.
Pray, “I give thanks that this problem is solved.” If you do so, since you are receiving it, it will begin to happen. I always say, here is bottled water. I give thanks and I take it, therefore, I can have it. It is here, but if I don’t reach out to take it, then since I haven’t received it, I don’t even give thanks. This blessing of, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”, is already in existence in the unseen realm. The solution is there, but for those who haven’t received it, they cannot be giving thanks for it. All your problems are solved. If all Christians become Christians who give thanks and receive, then all will be saying, “I am really happy. I am blessed.”
Ephesians 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
“Every spiritual blessing.” Solutions to problems are already there in the heavenly realms! Perhaps most people think God works upon hearing our prayers. Not so, for the answers are already there. By knowing the Bible, you will perceive, “Even this was here, and even this was here.” And in receiving and having them, you will no longer be insecure. Those Christians who are saying, “This promise of the Bible, and that promise of the Bible, are those mine, too? Oh, thank you.” These people do not worry.
In the heavenly realms exist the blessings and solutions to problems, but people do not go to claim them, therefore, they end up saying, “I am worried, what should I do?” We shall read the Bible and know the heart of God, and in knowing what it is that God had done for us, we become blessed.
Philippians 4:9
“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.”
It is about peace and tranquility, isn’t it? If God is with us, there is no insecurity. In the Word is written, “And”. What must you do so that God will be with you? There are four things. If you are to do these four things, then “the God of peace will be with you”, therefore, problems will be solved and there will be peace. It is written, ”Whatever you have learned”. Now you are learning the Bible. You learn that the plans that God has for you is not to harm you. You must “receive” it. ”Heard”, we must continue to hear. We must continue to hear the words, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And we must also continue to declare it. “Or seen in me–put it into practice.” You must put into practice the way of living that is blessed. We shall see and put into practice how Jesus lived, and what Paul taught in the Bible on how to live. If we do so, God is with us.
What did the Philippians actually learn from Paul? It is written in verse 8. There are 8 things. We are chased by many tasks of the world, but we should not look at those matters. Those who look at the words of the Bible and place their hearts on Word, will truly come to reflect what is written. Then what are we to be looking at?
Philippians 4:8
“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.”
“Whatever is true.” The Word is the truth.
“Whatever is noble.” The meaning of noble, here, is not about rejoicing over the Nobel Prize. It is not about being honored in front of people. It is about not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Mathew 6:3). When we hear of these instances, we are inspired, and we hope to do like that. We are to look at such things.
“Whatever is right”.
“Whatever is pure”.
“Whatever is lovely”.
“Whatever is admirable”.
“If anything is excellent”.
“If anything is praiseworthy”.
If a person is dwelling on what he can do to please God, then that person is always looking to God, therefore, God will resolve everything. Paul did not always have the things he needed. Here, Paul was in need.
Philippians 4:11, 12
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
There are many circumstances that we can see with our eyes. We are being taught on how to handle the circumstances. What we see is irrelevant. We are to believe in that which we cannot see, but that it exists in the heavenly realms which will resolve everything. And, although there may be various problems and I can’t solve them on my own, (verse 13) “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”. It is because the “the God of peace” is with me. In this way we are being changed.
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
In being saved, what kind of a person have we become? We were saved to go to heaven. Of course, this is true. But the command of Jesus was, “When you go into villages, pray for peace”.
In other words, what were we called for? We were saved “that the peace of Christ rule our hearts”.
When Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were insecure. Why? Christ’s peace was not there. We shall regain what Adam had lost. Peace of Christ, tranquility of Christ, we are called to obtain this. Then in order for us to obtain this peace and tranquility of Christ, what is it that we must do? “Being called and became as one”. A person who is with Jesus is at peace, because he is with Christ, and because the God of peace is with him. The reason why I am at peace at all times is because I am always with God. If you, too, are always with the Word of God, you are with God. Therefore, though problems may come your way, you can proclaim, “All is well. Problems would be resolved. All is well. All is well even if it should take time.” You all know, don’t you? That plans of God is not to harm you but to prosper you, to give you hope and a future.
You come to church, listen to CDs, and join the Bible school. What for? I hope it is so that you may be changed daily to become people at peace. To be a person at peace no matter what happens. To become a person who is not anxious about the future. To become a person who does not get anxious over business affairs. To be changed into a person who does not become anxious about family affairs.
When we sin, we become conscious of what is not right. We become insecure because we do not know the Word of God. There are many ways that we can remain in peace, but let us look at a few.
2 Corinthians 5:21
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
We sin, but Jesus had taken our place to become our sin. It has been dealt with. Payment has even been made for those sins that we may commit in the future. The prodigal son returned to the kingdom of God in his sinful state. When we come to know this, we pray the prayer of thanksgiving. When I sin, I say a prayer of thanksgiving. “God, I have sinned. Please forgive me. Thank you. Jesus had paid for my sin. I give thanks.” I give thanks because I know that “I will by no means be condemned to sin.” Satan will say, “What have you done? That is sin.” But those who know become freer. How can one be at peace? It is by knowing; in knowing the heart of God. Because one does not know, one becomes insecure and fearful. When we seek to know, we have nothing to fear. Those who are in peace are seeking with all their might to receive. For those who do not do this, there is no peace.
Isaiah 54:13
“All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.”
Those who are in great peace are those who received the teachings of the Lord, those who have come to know the heart of God. Since earlier I have been talking. Why are you insecure? Why are you fearful? It is because you do not know. Or, you may know, but you are not receiving. It is simple. If we would only receive, there is great peace in us. The more you know the Word of God, the freer you will become.
The Bible says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). I am truly free. I am happy.
Let us return.
Colossians 3:15-17
“15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
What must you do to, verse 15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”? You must, verse 16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”. “In you” means, in your heart. There are many people who are hearing the Word of the Bible. They are putting them in their minds. It should not be so. We must put them in our hearts. That would mean that you fully believe. And you can think like this. “I will not be harmed. I am at peace. I am made as a person of hope and a future. But I have this problem. That is not right. Surely it will be resolved for this is not God’s plan.” The people of Israel, on their way toward the land of Canaan, face various fortresses and enemies. For those people who know that God’s plan is to lead them to the land of Canaan, there is peace despite the problems. Caleb and Joshua do not waver because they know the heart of God. Those who do not know become insecure. Therefore, I encourage you to hear the Word of God in abundance. Hear as you are driving. Hear until just before you go to sleep. When you do so, your heart and mind will be protected, and you will be receiving the peace of God and his blessings. You will be filled with gratitude to sing praises.
Let us continue.
We have looked at this the last time, but let us open it again.
We would like to have abundant peace, don’t we? What must we do for that?
Psalm 119:165
“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
There is great peace for those who live by loving the law and accumulating the Word. Some may become insecure at times like this. This teacher becomes insecure in seeing himself sin. I sin, too. This person is looking at the wrong things. What is it that we are to be looking at? We cannot be people who do not sin. No one can keep the Ten Commandments of Moses. That is why Jesus was hung on the cross.
Now, we must look at our new selves. In our daily lives, we may think, I have done this and that.
What is there in Ephesians 1:3 that talks about “every spiritual blessings”?
The new you, is here (in the unseen realm). You may say, “No, I am here in the visible world, I who sin is in here.” However, that is not so. You are here (in the unseen realm). People do not know that. They may know it, but they are not receiving it. We are here in the visible realm. However, the Word is saying that the self that sin is dead. There exists a hidden self. We try hard to become pure, to be a person who does not sin, and tend to strive. That is the old self striving. Our old self has died. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” And yet, aren’t we trying to do something by ourselves about the wrongs that are on us? It should not be so. We should believe in our new selves that we ourselves do not know.
Colossians 3:3-4
“3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Those of you who are living in Christ, you are in this hidden life. The person you always see in the mirror who sin, is not this person who is hidden. Therefore, the self that is in the visible world is being seen, but we must believe in the new self that is in the realm of the hidden world, believing in the self who is to appear later. We shall believe in that. When do we have peace? When I look at myself in my daily life, I become discouraged, too. But I do not get discouraged because I only see and believe in my new self.
In other words, when we walk in faith, we are at peace. Is there anyone who is anxious because you have many problems? What does the Word say?
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
It says that there is a way out that God is providing. Those who definitely believe in this will not worry and walk on without anxiety. Let us look at one more today. Why are so many worried? Why do they become insecure? It is because they can’t examine certain thoughts, and because those thoughts haven’t been removed. For us to be at peace, we must select certain thoughts. What could that be?
Every day we have many thoughts. People’s thoughts are of three categories. They are one’s own thoughts, God’s thoughts, and Satan’s thoughts. You may not be able to select your own thoughts unless you have proper knowledge. It would be good if we can select the thoughts of God. But we are troubled because we can’t decipher between God’s thoughts and Satan’s thoughts. If it is God’s thoughts, then those are absolutely peaceful. Let us look into this.
Romans 8:6
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Thoughts from the Holy Spirit are life and peace. When we are anxious, thoughts are coming from the flesh, which is death. “I may fail. Problem may arise. My illness may prolong.” These are thoughts of Satan. The thoughts of the Bible is, “By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). “And my God will meet all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). “You can do anything.” “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
For us to be at peace, we need the Word. The Word is the word of the Spirit. Therefore, those who are precisely receiving those thoughts do not despair. If we sin, we shall say, “Jesus, I am sorry”, and that would be the end of it. When we continue in believing that we have been transformed, we can move on without being insecure.
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:”
Most people, when problems arise, they strive to somehow solve them on their own. My character is such that I do not strive much. There are many excellent people, but for me, I know that there is only so much that I can do even if I strive hard. I am yielding and entrusting. Peter was also entrusting, therefore, he was at peace and slept well even though he was going to be executed the next day. Though I have many tasks, I am entrusting everything, and I only do that which God directs me to do. Everyone, it is alright to entrust this and that, your financial problems, your future marriage. In this way you entrust unto God. As you do so you will come to believe that God will surely take care of these. I say this often so it may be redundant to you, but we are told that in order for us to be at peace, God did something. What was it?
Isaiah 57:19
“Creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”
There are many who hear, but unless they practice it, they would not understand. Those who end at, “Oh, I think it is written in the Bible”, cannot have the experience. Only those who reached out in thinking that it exists in the unseen realm, and claims that to himself, will experience it. Please try it. We have repeatedly said this. God has a plan to give us peace, doesn’t He? For that we must receive it. Unless you claim that to be yours, it will not be yours. Therefore, if you would say the words of the blessing of life, “I am blessed”, you will receive the blessings.
Pastor Takaesu of Okinawa was working as a taxi driver making \2,000 a day, and he was very tired. He had five children, and was not in capable condition to pastor a church. His prayer was, “Let me come to heaven quickly.” But then when I went there, I would proclaim, “I am blessed”. He hadn’t heard anything like that before so he wondered if I was in the right mind. However, when he looked in the Bible, it definitely said so. So he practiced it. He proclaimed, “I am blessed”. What do you think happened then? He was living in a small apartment, so his wife proclaimed, “I am blessed”, and she went out to rent a house that was on sale. Children were each given their own room, the church moved and now it has parking spaces for 30 cars and a gathering space for 100 people. The Pastor came to know the fruit of his lips, so the other pastors would say to him,” Pastor Takaesu, you are blessed!” So he responds in saying, “Yes, I am.” Therefore, he came to be at peace.
Let us proclaim:
“I am a blessed person. Amen.”
In Proverbs 18:20, it is written, “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.” Therefore, we must proclaim out loud. For when you do so, great things will begin to happen. God’s plan for us is peace. Should you feel insecure about something, please check on what you are declaring. Try praying in tongues until peace settles.
Mathew 11:28-30
“28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
When we go to Jesus, we must unload our burdens. When we become Christians, you may think that you have to bear your cross (Mathew 10:38) which is heavy, but that is not the case. “For my yoke is easy”, it is written. And when we look at its footnote in the New International Version, there it is written “comfortable”.
Everyone, if Christian life is not comfortable, something is not right. If there is no peace in the Christian life, something is not right. For God’s plan is not like that. Our life is that of peace, hope and a future.
For the soul to find peace, it is written, “Learn from me.” Jesus died, didn’t He? We must die to ourselves, too. And let Christ live for us. As we do so, wonderful things will occur. Lastly, let us look into the great
Peace, which is perfect peace. God is trying to give to us perfect peace through Jesus. If we have perfect peace, we become as people who need not worry about anything. How can we be that way?
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
If we trust, then our mind will be steadfast. In other words, “God’s Word will surely pass”.
Those who thoroughly believe in, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”, they have perfect peace.
Even though the answer to prayer may be delayed, they will think, “God is trying to create an even better solution.” These people believe, that for them, God will answer with the best. What kind of mind is “steadfast mind”?
Luke 1:45
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
We shall want to grow to be able to truly believe in what we are hearing.
Thank you