Wednesday, Oct. 03, 2007 - 11:02 a.m.

Direct hit, EE

You always hit the nail on the head, EE

Title: Don't Forfeit Your Peace

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

It would not be possible to exaggerate the importance hymns and spiritual songs have played in my spiritual growth. One of the latter, familiar to most of you, has this line: "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer" (Joseph Scriven). Prayerlessness is one of many ways by which we can easily forfeit the peace God wants us to have. I've been thinking of some other ways. Here's a sampling:

1 Resent God's ways.
2 Worry as much as possible.
3 Pray only about things you can't manage by yourself.
4 Refuse to accept what God gives.
5 Look for peace elsewhere than in Him.
6 Try to rule your own life.
7 Doubt God's word.
8 Carry all your cares.

If you'd rather not forfeit your peace, here are eight ways to find it (antidotes to the above eight):

1 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165 KJV). "Circumstances are the expression of God's will," wrote Bishop Handley Moule.

2 "Don't worry about anything whatever" (Philippians 4:6, PHILLIPS).

3 "In everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God... will guard your hearts" (Philippians 4:6,7, NEB).

4 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me... and you will find rest" (Matthew 11:29, NIV).

5 "Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace, such as the world cannot give" (John 14 27, NEB).

6 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15, NIV).

7 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13, KJV).

8 "Cast all your cares on him for you are his charge" (1 Peter 5:7, NEB).

You know me, I love lists and this is a good one.

EE's devotional

newAutumn Leaves

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