The Open Word (Audio)

Today Pastor David reminds us that peace isn’t an absence of trouble. Instead it is a promise from God to all who know Him personally. If our relationship with Jesus grows our focus begins to shift, making the world and its problems become less while Christ and His promises become more. This prepares us for when trouble comes so we can stand firm with quite confidence in the midst of chaos. Let’s remember that God is our hiding place, preserving us from trouble, surrounding us with His deliverance

The world can define peace but it doesn’t know peace. We’re a culture bent on excess in pursuit of filling that void in our lives, creating an environment for ourselves that is the exact opposite of what we pray. There’s nothing peaceful about the amount of energy it takes to sustain these lifestyles. We have the solution, requiring nothing but thankfulness, prayer and faith on our part. If we trust God in everything, we will have an authentic peace exceeding what we try to manufacture ourselves.

Pastor David will be teaching us about the importance of sincerity and not allowing ourselves to be caught up in empty ceremonies and rituals. God is not pleased with meaningless actions. God want us to obey out of a genuine heart that loves Him. The Lord desires obedience and not sacrifice. Pastor David will also be warning us not to allow knowledge to puff us up. We must guard ourselves from only having head knowledge, and to be doers of the word and not hearers only.