In New Morning Mercies, Paul David Tripp writes, “So you ask, ‘Where is peace to be found?’ This question is answered clearly and powerfully in Isaiah 26: ‘You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.’ (vv. 3–4) This passage tells us where peace is to be found. It is never found in trying to figure out the secret will of God. It’s not to be found in personal planning or attempts to control the circumstances and people in your life.
Peace is found in trusting the person who controls all the things that you don’t understand and who knows no mystery because he has planned it all. How do you experience this remarkable peace—the kind of peace that doesn’t fade away when disappointments come, when people are difficult, or when circumstances are hard? You experience it by keeping your mind stayed on the Lord.
The more you meditate on his glory, his power, his wisdom, his grace, his faithfulness, his righteousness, his patience, his zeal to redeem, and his commitment to his eternal promises to you, the more you can deal with mystery in your life. Why? Because you know the One behind the mystery is gloriously good, worthy not only of your trust but also the worship of your heart. It really is true that peace in times of trouble is not found in figuring out your life, but in worship of the One who has everything figured out already.”
The theme for this second week of Advent is Peace. Jesus is our peace! Isaiah the prophet called Him the “prince of peace” (9:6) and told us that by keeping our minds stayed on Him, He would keep us in perfect peace (26:3). In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Further, in John 16:33 Jesus declared to His followers, “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.” And Paul in Ephesians 2:13-14 writes, “…But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace,”
Indeed, He is! He came into this world to make peace between man and God. While our world is full of chaos, crime, and confusion… in the midst of it all Jesus offers to us a peace that passes all understanding, it is a peace that guards our hearts and minds, and it is a peace that assures us that the best is yet to come. This is why we celebrate the birth of our Savior! So, be sure that your loved ones, friends, neighbors, and colleagues understand this above everything else during this season.
Today we begin the first of several music presentations for the Christmas season. At 6:30 PM this evening “The Voices of Mobile” will be here to bless us with a Christmas concert that you must hear. We’ve had them on several occasions over the years, and each time they have blessed us with an incredible worship experience. What a wonderful way to begin our Christmas celebrations at Ridgecrest!
World Outreach Offering… our goal is $115,000 this year. We’re already at $104,000. Will you help us reach the goal and bless our 8 mission partnerships? You always have and 100% of what you give goes to help these special partners keep the message of Christ and the gospel moving locally, nationally, and internationally. And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Ray
