You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
It is hard to release all of our hopes and fears and trust that God has a better way for our lives. When you try to work things out as the world does, you are headed for failure. Charles Spurgeon once wrote: “You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world“. That which you won’t surrender to God will be the foothold that the enemy uses to take you down. All that you have that is good has been given you by God. There is nothing that you can keep except that which you give up.
Jesus calls for us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and yet that is very difficult to do when you let the influences of this lost world cloud your judgment. The darkness of these present times can fill you with fear when it seems like God isn’t showing up in time to help you through a crisis. Some people are suffering with the pain of a serious or terminal illness. Many are facing monumental financial difficulties as they battle to survive past the list of endless bills. Marriages are under attack as Satan has targeted families for destruction. Drugs and alcohol are literally robbing people of their future. Pornography is a deadly addiction that poisons and imprisons its victims. Sadly, lies from hell are being traded for the truth by the lost everywhere. Many in our country and in the world are now accepting evil as good.
Yet, despite the battles that rage all around, Jesus promised believers that he would fill them with the peace that surpasses all understanding. That peace only comes by trusting and following the path of Christ. You cannot seek out the riches and glory of this world and expect that God’s peace will reign in your heart. I can’t put it more clearly than to say outright that if you live in rebellion to God, you will never be happy! You will always be searching and never be satisfied. The true joy that comes only from a relationship with Christ is found nowhere else. Nothing that you can attain on this earth will last forever or prevent you from dying one day. But those who seek Christ and his kingdom, all that is good will be added to their life. As a believer you understand that death has no power except to release you to be with God in his kingdom forever.
While all will suffer in this life, God works everything for the good those who belong to him. The temporary struggles you face have divine ramifications as the hand of God uses them to form and shape you into the image of Jesus. We read in 1 Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast“. After you have been through your painful trial, God himself lifts you up and restores you to wholeness. You can’t lose in the battle you are in so hang on and know the power that lives in you. Never surrender your joy no matter how dark your situation may appear. God always has a way to take you through it if you will believe and wait on his timing God ‘s power is more than enough for all that you need. You should keep that truth in your heart!
Dear Lord, I know that many are struggling in areas of their lives and they wonder if you truly care about what they are going through. I pray that you draw near to them in their pain and give them the strength they need to believe that you will not fail them. May you give them a very real sense of your peace as you work out all their difficulties and make them strong, firm and steadfast in their faith. I pray this in the power of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
18 comments
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July 18, 2010 at 10:01 am
Jeremy B. Strang
Marianne,
Wonderful entry! This has come at a great time for me. I am reminded of James 1 where I am to count all trials as but joy. I have been reading the journals of George Whitefield and many times he asks the Lord to not let up the trial until the His work in breaking him was complete. I too am just begining to pray as such. I really like what Whitefield said, “I find it necessary more and more everyday, that ministers should be tempted in all things, that they may be able experimentally to succour those that are tempted.” May the Lord do His wonderful work of sanctification in our lives!
God bless,
Jeremy
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July 18, 2010 at 11:13 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jeremy, I like that Whitefield understood the purpose of trials when he asked God not to let up the trial UNTIL His work in breaking him was complete! Those are powerful words and God will take your request seriously so be prepared.
Jeremy, God has tested me in every one of the articles I have written. I have been tempted and continue to be tempted in the truth of all that God has given me to write. I want you to know that I will keep you and your ministry in prayer every night because I can see that God is getting you ready for something big. I love your passion for God -you truly inspire me! Take care and God bless!!
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July 19, 2010 at 4:41 am
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by rsynthia, Marianne Lordi. Marianne Lordi said: TRUSTING IN GOD'S PEACE: http://wp.me/pjDYb-bu […]
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July 19, 2010 at 8:31 pm
concernedx2
James is such a great book. J.B. Phillips paraphrased James: 2-4 by writing
“WHEN ALL KINDS OF TRIALS CROWD INTO YOUR LIVES, MY BROTHERS, DON’T RESENT THEM AS INTRUDERS, BUT WELCOME THEM AS FRIENDS! REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE COME TO TEST YOUR ENDURANCE. BUT LET THE PROCESS GO ON UNTIL THAT ENDURANCE IS FULLY DEVELOPED, AND YOU WILL FIND YOU HAVE BECOME MEN (AND WOMEN) OF MATURE CHARACTER…” I borrowed that from my favorite book; ‘Seasons of Life’ by Charles R. Swindoll. The short story is called “The Sting of Pearls.” While speaking with my wife only yesterday, I made mention of Marianne Lordi and the trials which she has gone through and the recent one that has brought her so much pain….and polished her as a treasure for Jesus. Thank you my friend; Brother York
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July 19, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you, Rev. York, for always giving me an uplifting word of hope. You are so kind to me and I am grateful to have you as a mentor. I thank God for the gift he has given me in this life with friends who encourage and keep me focused on the truth. You are a blessing and a true brother in Christ, Rev. York. I am not alone.
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July 20, 2010 at 5:53 pm
calledsoldiers
This is good, rare to hear in a time of prosperity doctrine and teaching on how to get more of this world’s good, but yet it is true that we are to be separate from the world! That our blessings come from a closer relationship with God not more of the things this world can offer! Amen! Thank you for sharing that thought!
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July 20, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you, calledsoldiers, for stopping by and commenting! It is true that our only blessings come from seperating from the ways of this world and totally trusting that God’s ways are best. It is not always easy to do but if you can believe that Christ is all that you need, you can stand firm in your faith. What does the world have that you want to take with you when you die?
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July 22, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Rachel
Wonderful post Marianne. We are born with a desires instilled in us by God – desires that move us into being who He created us to be. However, there is a choice we have to make in response to those desires – God’s way or our way (the world’s way). To go God’s way, we have to let go of all else and trust Him which can be very difficult with our deepest desires – but it is the only way to moving into true satisfaction and abundance as God desires for us. We each have a purpose and that purpose becomes truly manifested when we surrender to God. It seems contrary at first, but yet it is absolutely perfect.
Rachel
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July 22, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Marianne Lordi
Once again, Rachel, you added more depth to this message I was trying to get relay. I like the way you said that our purpose becomes truly manifested when we surrender to God. That is it exactly. Living contrary to God will never bring happiness and will lead you on the path to destruction.
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Rachel. I keep you and the ministry you have in prayer each night. I truly enjoy the truth you give on your blogsite.
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July 23, 2010 at 11:03 am
Rachel
Thanks for your prayers Marianne it means a lot to me – and you are in mine as well. Rachel
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July 26, 2010 at 11:53 am
Joe
“That which you won’t surrender to God will be the foothold that the enemy uses to take you down.”
Marianne, this is such a true statement. Often times we wonder why we struggle so much in our relationship with God and fail to see an area of our life that we still want control over – one that is doing us harm rather than good. In Psalm 139, David prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” How many of us honestly pray that as well ?
Thank you as always for standing up for truth. Blessings to you sister !
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July 26, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Joe, you are right to quote Psalm 139 because that is the heart of this message. Those anxious thoughts or sin issues that you still cling to will hinder God’s peace in your life! But as David prayed for God to lead him in the right way that is lasting, that is is my prayer too. What do I want with the perishing pleasures of this world?
I visit your site a lot, Joe, and I appreciate the messages that you give. I keep you in prayer for God to continue to use you to bring out the truth. Thanks for stopping by. I will keep praying for you!
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August 3, 2010 at 5:08 am
anewcreation
Hi Marianne,
Thank you for this timely word and the lovely encouragement to keep going and to keep trusting.
Thank you also for your wonderful prayers.
May God continue to give you strength and peace through the dark times.
God bless you
Mercedes
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August 3, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Mercedes! So nice to hear from you. I appreciate your friendship and I will continue to pray for you and your ministry. The dark days in our lives is just a time when we know by faith that Christ has us by the hand and is leading us in his perfect plan EVEN when we cannot see it!
God bless you also, my friend!
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August 16, 2010 at 1:39 pm
pat
Hello Marianne
This surely is a very encouraging word!!! I truly enjoyed the read,I found your sight through a comment you left way back,I’ll visit again soon!! 😀 😀 Have a fantastic evening.
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August 16, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Marianne Lordi
I am so very pleased that you stopped by, Pat! I do love your blog and you are just awesome in your presentation of the Word and the truth of Christ! Everyone of my posts are areas that God has taken me through OR is taking me through now! This world is tough but our God is greater. I always remember that nothing can come against me that is bigger than the God that I serve. That is how I get through each day.
You are a blessing, Pat. You are annointed in your writing and I thank you for your inspiration.
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September 10, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Linden Wolfe
So well said! The peace that passes all understanding is given to us in Christ. Amen!
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September 10, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Linden, That peace is what I cling to. I don’t know how others do who don’t have Christ in their life!!!
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