Experiencing peace

TODAY'S READING: Philippians 4:4-20
People today seek peace and comfort in so many places. Think about ome of the industries that have blossomed in recent years. Restaurants. Movies. Spas. Sports. Alcohol. Television. Vacation homes. Tobacco. Internet pornography. Recreational drug use.
Most people would agree that not all of these things are necessarily evil. But at the same time, I would dare to say that all of these things can become sinful if we try to use them to replace God as our source of comfort. Why do you think God told the nation of Israel thousands of years ago, "Do not worship any other gods besides me. Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or
animals or fish. You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations." (Exodus 20:3-6)
God realized that human beings would often seek the "quick fix." We are constantly looking for the next "magic pill" to solve our problems. If you have a hard time believing that, just look at the cover of a magazine or watch a few TV commercials.
"Ten ways to lose 50 pounds in a month."
"The quicker picker-upper."
"How to make thousands in 90 days."
"Your way, right away."
"Calgon, take me away."
"Extreme makeover"
I am sure I could fill a few pages with things like this, but you get the idea. We are a culture in search of peace and comfort in a world full of sin, destruction, and evil. And unfortunately, even many of us in the church skip the real answer and seek out quick, short-cut solutions.
Peace is not always easy to achieve, but the formula is simple. Trust in God.
Listen to His words. Meditate on His words. Live by His words.
When we are able to focus on God and what He has done for us, especially in the person of Jesus, we will begin to discover a peace beyond compare. But we must realize that this is a journey. God usually operates more like a crock-pot than a microwave. It is when we allow Him to work on our hearts and minds over time that real, significant change takes place. And this is where real peace is able to grow and mature in our lives.

shine!
Jason