The Decision to Live in Peace: Receiving God's Shalom
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
So far in this series we have decided to make decisions, learned how to make them, decided to get serious with God, decided to invest our lives in Him and decided to become valuable. Today's decision is this: I will live a life of peace.
Don't Let Discouragement Stick
Discouragement is not a good thing. There is a demonic side to it. When your shoulders drop, you stop moving forward and your relationships suffer. If discouragement sticks to your heart, the hope to live and the will to fight are lost.
Meditating day and night on a problem changes nothing. If you must think about it, ask, "What can I learn? Will I repeat that mistake?" Don't give the negative presence a chance to cling to you.
This decision matters first because in trouble we start to think, "Maybe this is what God wants for me." No. Some deliverances will not come until the Word comes, because the Word divides soul and spirit, reveals the hidden thoughts of the heart and changes the way we think.
Peace Is a Decision
Some people love fights, drama and other people's affairs. But you can decide early in life, "I want a peaceful life." Every action you take then carries a purpose: I don't want needless trouble.
Recently I asked my host where to find a good place to eat. He suggested one, and I asked, "Is the music loud? I don't want loud music." People have their choices, and our choices shape our lives.
I knew a student from our school who died during COVID. His brother told me, "I never saw my brother at peace." There is trouble in the world and trouble in the neighborhood. But why should every trouble in the world be in my life? A wise person does not fight every battle. Maturity teaches you, "This is not my fight. This is not my pain."
Shalom Is All-Round Peace
Shalom is not only a calm feeling. If your stomach hurts, you failed your exam, there is no food at home and the rent is unpaid, what peace is that? God's shalom is supernatural peace, and it is also all-round wholeness. Look at these areas:
Health: take care of your body so that you live in good health as long as you live. Constant stress and good health cannot go together.
Money: "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another" (Romans 13:8). Make up your mind never to live in debt. Faith is not foolishness. Deal wisely and keep a balance.
Relationships: most stress is relational. If you want peace, don't marry for beauty or money and bring trouble into your home. Don't fight every day. Controlling people cannot have peace, because control comes from insecurity.
Friends: pray for one or two good friends who will be there in trouble. When I came to the Lord, I lost my friends and relatives. Choose friends with good hearts, because wrong counsel can affect you for life.
Partnerships: I warned some people about certain business partnerships. They did not listen, and it brought failure and frustration.
Peace With God First
Perfect peace comes first from the Prince of Peace. When the storm came, the disciples were terrified, but Jesus was perfectly calm. He rebuked the disciples before He rebuked the storm: "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). Peace means self-possession. You are composed inside, so outside activity does not quickly disturb you. If the storm is inside you, you don't need a storm outside to trouble you.
"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). This peace is not based on circumstances. It is "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). It comes through obedience: "For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee" (Proverbs 3:2). It also needs rest. God gave six days for work and one for rest, yet many people never rest.
"Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it" (1 Peter 3:11). Peace is something we pursue.
Peace With Yourself and Others
Take away your phone and sit in one place for two hours. Can you sit in peace? Often we need endless entertainment because we are not at peace with ourselves. Peace with yourself also means using your gifts and controlling your tongue. Whoever does not control the tongue has a life out of control.
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). Some conflict does not depend on us. We will be persecuted for our faith, sometimes by being isolated or misunderstood. We don't seek offense, but we must stand.
Practices That Keep Peace
Be still: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Give thanks daily: "Lord, I slept and I woke up. I have a roof over my head and food to eat." You can even write down what to thank Him for.
Be content: there were times my money was stolen and I had nothing. But "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
Learn to say no: wanting your own good is not a sin. If you try to please everyone, you will end up miserable. Some people do not want to be saved, and you will sink with them.
Jesus paid for this peace. "The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
Go Deeper: I Have Decided
A life of peace grows out of the right decisions, and the book shows you how to make them. This Decision series is drawn from my book I Have Decided (Hindi: मैंने निर्णय लिया है). Anchored in Daniel 1:8, it leads you into five life-changing decisions: to get serious with God, become a vessel of value, invest your life in Him, live with unshakable faith, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
English eBook (Kindle): I Have Decided on Amazon
Hindi eBook (Kindle): मैंने निर्णय लिया है on Amazon
English paperback: I Have Decided on rdmglobal.org
Hindi paperback: मैंने निर्णय लिया है on rdmglobal.org
The Decision Series
Part 1: Why Decisions Matter: Every Choice Is a Verdict on Your Life
Part 2: How to Make Right Decisions: Nine Keys From God's Word
Part 3: Serious With God and Serious for God: The Decision Daniel Made
Part 4: Invest Your Life in God: Your Life Is Worth More Than Money
Part 5: The Decision to Become Valuable: Don't Live a Worthless Life
Part 6: The Decision to Live in Peace: Receiving God's Shalom (you are here)
Part 7: The Decision to Live by Faith: Learning the Language God Understands
Part 8: Created on Purpose: The Decision to Live an Intentional Life
Part 9: The Decision to Serve God: Let My People Go That They May Serve Me
Previous: Part 5: Become Valuable
Next: Part 7: Live by Faith
More Teaching Series
The Mystery of Open and Closed Doors: Start with Part 1: The Stealer of Joy
Marriage in the Lord Series: Start with Part 1: Marry Only in the Lord
The Lordship Series: Start with Part 1: Is Jesus Your Lord or Only Your Savior?
Declarations
I receive the peace of Jesus, not as the world gives.
Discouragement will not stick to my heart.
I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will not fight every battle. I follow peace with all men.
I will live free from debt, and I am content in Christ.
I am still, and I know that He is God.
I give thanks every day, and I learn to say no.
Stay Connected & Grow Deeper
Watch the full message: Part 6 of the Decision series on YouTube. Please note that the message is preached in Hindi.
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