–Robert Peecher  (The Glorieta Grudge)

       “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
                    –Romans 15:23(NKJV)
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Peace–not really a strange word, but often greatly misunderstood.  People clamor for peace, but do not understand that true peace only comes from God.  Jesus, when He was in the boat sleeping in the midst of the storm, had peace.  His disciples were torn within themselves thinking they were going to die.  E.F. Harrison states that peace is, “freedom from strife whether external or internal, or security from outward enemies as well as calm of heart.”
       As Christians, God’s children, we are promised peace.  Peace in the midst of the storms of life.  Peace when the battles are raging.  Peace when there is suffering and sorrow.  This peace comes from God.

               “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7, NKJV
               “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” –John 14:27, NKJV
               “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  –Romans 5:1, NKJV)

When we are born again, when we become Christians we are now at peace with God.  This is the greatest peace.  We are no longer His enemy.  Donald Gee wrote, “conversion means the laying down of the arms of rebellion and warfare with God, but there is often quite a time before the whole being comes under the influence of His peace.”  See, peace is supernatural and a part of the Fruit of the Spirit, and therefore, it must grow.  It takes time.  Yes, we have peace with God, but we often find turmoil within ourselves.
       There is a fierce battle raging and it is in the mind.  If we find we are not at peace most likely it is because of our thoughts, what we are focusing on.  “The interests of the flesh mean death, but the interests of the Spirit mean life and peace.” (Romans 8:6, Moffat).  We read in Isaiah, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (26:3, NKJV)  “Interests”, “stayed” are some key words.  Where is our heart?  If it is not at peace most likely it is not stayed upon God and has turned its focus upon the things of earth.  “If we let our minds become filled with worldly things we must not be surprised if we lose the peace of God.” (Donald Gee)
       God and His Word are the keys.  The verse in Philippians 4:7, uses the term “guard”.  God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.  Possibly a better term might be “garrison.”  God’s peace will be like a garrison of soldiers around you bringing peace to your heart and mind.  We must come to love the Word of God in a practical way.  “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, NKJV)  To understand and love the Word of the Lord is to have peace that will keep us from tripping up and being swayed by the world.

                    “God’s abiding peace is in my soul today,
                    Yes, I feel it now, yes, I feel it now;
                    He has taken all my doubts and fears away,
                    Tho’ I cannot tell you how.

                    It is mine, mine, blessed be His name!
                    He has given peace, perfect peace to me;
                    It is mine, mine, blessed be His name!
                    Mine for all eternity!”
                          –Elisha A. Hoffman

                    –Proverbs 16:31 (NLT)

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Back in the saddle again, or perhaps I should say back behind the desk.  The fall equinox was last week, and I was somewhere on the road so I will take the time now to look at Fall.  It has been my favorite season of the year.  The World Series, hunting season, and the beginnings of the great holidays all take place in the Fall.

This morning I want to share with you some things I read while on my trip.  The headings are from a writing by Alicia Searl.

       There is a great promise found in Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease’ (NKJV).  As we enter the Fall season we can see this truth.  Fall reminds us that seasons change.  “The earth is groaning, and life is slowly decaying.”  This is seen all around us and Fall brings it to our attention.  However, never forget–God controls and changes the earth’s seasons–He does the same in our lives.  Once I could run all day, I could venture up in the high country, the altitude not bothering me.  Now, in the autumn of my life, I don’t move as quickly nor am I quite as agile as I once was.  My mobility is on the lam.  Fall reminds us that nothing remains forever.  Everything changes; the world is in constant change, but God never changes!

       Fall reminds us of the harvest season.  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 5:9, NKJV)  Work has been hard, training and experience has taught us many lessons.  We have been careful in our labor, the harvest is near, it comes in the Fall.  To have a good harvest there must be care and nurturing in the growing and planting seasons of life.  Thanksgiving is a great reminder of the harvest; it is a time of blessing, and a time of thankfulness.

       Paul writes in Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV)   Often in the fall of the year with the holidays grief can reappear.  Some get depressed and distressed when thinking of others in the past or events of the past.  Instead of gloom we should smile at the good times we had, and more importantly look forward, holding on to the promises of God for the future.

       “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 118:1, NKJV).  The season of Fall invites us to count our blessings.  Make it a routine to daily count your blessings, but during this special season take time to really do so.  Look at what the Lord has done!  I think of my recent trip with all the miles and wonder at the hand of the Lord in His protection, guidance, and care for us.  I looked around as we traveled, thanking Him for the wonderful country, the plains, the mountains, the forests and the canyons.  He has given us bountiful blessings, reflect on them!  

       Finally, Fall helps us hold on to an eternal perspective.  Paul tells us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (3:2, NKJV)  Yes, we are wonderfully blessed here on earth, but it is nothing compared with what is to come.  “If we really lived with an eternal perspective our lives would change.”  I have heard it said over the years that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.  But take notice:  it is only when a person is truly heavenly minded that he is earthly good.  We need to set our eyes on things above, not what is here in this life.  Holding on to this life will only bog us down.  We must be kingdom-minded.  We must see the mission we were given, and remember that in the autumn of our lives the main mission will not change, the means, methods, and mode might however.  As our body changes like the seasons, let us grasp on to the eternal hope in Jesus Christ.

                    –Dan Arnold  (Alta Vista)

       “He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.”

                    –Proverbs 2:8 (NKJV)
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I wrote last week regarding the steps of the godly person.  God directs them, He shines the light of His Word upon them.  However, there are some conditions.  “Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.  Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.”  (Proverbs 4:26-27, NKJV)  Don’t rush through life, but take time to ponder your steps.  Don’t think that life is tip-toeing through the tulips, but let your step be firm, established so it will not slip.

          “I’m following Jesus–One step at a time,
          I live for the moment–In His love divine.
          Why think of tomorrow,–Just live for today,
          I’m following Jesus–Each step of the way.”
                    –Redd Harper

See, we work out our salvation with “fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), therefore we must be careful where we step.  It is a daily walk, in fact, the walk is step by step, moment by moment.  Life is living, but that living must be in the will of God.  Our ways can only be established as we follow His will and look for His guiding hand.  Richard Dresselhaus said, “Your steps are ordered of the Lord—and confirmation is part of God’s leading.”  As we walk under the guidelines of His word, He will confirm our steps.  

          “The pathway is narrow–But He leads me on,
          I walk in His shadow–My fears are all gone.
          My spirit grows stronger,–Each moment, each day,
          For Jesus is leading–Each step of the way.”

Jesus said that only the “pure in heart shall see God” (Matthew 5:8)  How can we be pure?  Jeremiah says that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV)  We must go back to the great work of Christ on the cross and remember that we are justified by faith.  That justification, that faith, also is His imputed righteousness.  That is the only way we can have a pure heart; that is the way our spirit can grow stronger.
       So live for the moment each day in Christ.  Do not worry about tomorrow, live for today by following Jesus–each step of the way.  I want to mention here that there will be no Echoes for the next two weeks.  My path is heading out to the High Lonesome and I’m planning on enjoying each step of the journey.