As we approach 2021 and look back, reflect, learn, and move forward - let us have the peace of God in our hearts despite what is going on around us. Today - I want to encourage us to remember Who is in our boats. 

Peace, Be Still!

1. "Peace be still!" Mark 4:39 (KJV)
2. "Be still and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10
3. Philippians 4:7 ... You may know verse 6 says be “anxious for nothing” but verse 7 releases us from fear or worry ... PEACE! Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
4. John 16:33 (NKJV), "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

PEACE: 

P - Prayer - pray to God and be at peace! Philippians 4:7 says peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the Lord ...".

to have peace you must be expectant! 

E – Expectation - to have peace you must be expectant! Think about your wife who cooks a delicious meal always and never fails - you expect a nice meal always, right? With God just expect Him to answer your prayer! He is able. When we are expectant, we should be hopeful! Expectation brings hope. Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

A - Accept that we will have trials and tribulations as followers of Jesus! God didn’t promise that we will have a smooth ride - but He did promise to never leave us nor forsake us!  “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9, ESV).

Paul shares several sufferings – mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Each suffering is different but sometimes they are intertwined, and we can see that one may affect the other.

Persevere through prayer and through the suffering, the storm, the pain, because as sure as the rainbow appears after a storm - so, too, can we be assured that God will take care of us. "Trust in the Lord” (Proverbs 3:5-6)!

C - Commitment - peace demands commitment but not of this world! Being committed means that you will not doubt, and you will stay the path towards your goal - ultimately: “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord‘’ (Matthew 25:23, KJV).

Being committed means keeping your eyes on the mark. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).  Being committed means putting your hands to the plow and not looking back ... (Luke 9:62).

Luke 9:1-2, 62 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ²and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ⁶²Jesus replied, 'No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'"

E - Equipped, enabled and empowered! Being equipped, enabled, and empowered means fellowshipping and attending church (virtually), reading and meditating on the Word and spending quiet time with God. It is having the full armor of God; it is abiding in God’s unconditional love! 

Two of the greatest peace stealers in our lives may be our performance and the opinion of others

Two of the greatest peace stealers in our lives may be our performance and the opinion of others ...  when we become so consumed about what other people say that it affects our pursuit of perfection! 

Robert S. McGee (The Search for Significance) has stated that if Satan had a formula for self-worth it would equal my performance plus the opinion of others. At the foundation of this formula is pride and fear; we seek to impress or please when people are our audience.

When we are equipped, enabled, and empowered we will have peace. David had peace when he faced Goliath – no fear whatsoever! Because he was equipped, enabled, and empowered - he knew who he was and whose he was, and with his sling and a few stones he fought the lion and the bear. Because he was equipped, enabled, and empowered he was able to defeat Goliath! What is your giant that is stealing your peace? Are you equipped, enabled, and empowered?  Ephesians 6 reminds us to “put on the whole armor of God” because when we are equipped, enabled, and empowered then we, too, can say to our storms, "Peace – be still!"

In closing, be confident of 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."

May the peace of God take us into 2021 without any fear, worry or anxiety because Jesus is in our boats and He will calm every storm!