"Be anxious for nothing . . . the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Hello from your friends at New Horizon Church!

Peace. Is peace merely the absence of war? Those who have made "peace marches," or held "peace vigils," propose that if only we can all follow the way of diplomacy and just learn to tolerate the views of others, we can avoid war and have peace. What is peace, really? Isn't peace the opposite of anxiety? Isn't peace the quiet of the mind and soul, even in the face of challenges? Isn't peace the ability to live with a quiet conscience? Yes, this is peace. And more.

Peace can mean the absence of war, but not necessarily.

Do you know peace? Here is the test: at night, when you finally are able to lay your head on the pillow to sleep, what is in your mind? Do you find your mind turning over all the circumstances and situations you lived through during the day which is now past? Do you find your mind churning over things which may come tomorrow? Do you think of your death and dying? Do you think of life after death? Do you worry? About yourself? About others?

If these things confront you in the quiet of the night, when sleep is running from you like the wind, you don't know peace.

As a matter of fact, even if you have been able to dull your conscience through drugs or alcohol or busy-ness or any other activity, so that when you lie down at night you aren't aware of thoughts at all, you still don't know peace. Why, after all, was it that you did all those other things throughout the day. Wasn't it, at least in some respect, in order to avoid that thing called "conscience?"

There is a peace you may have, however. And this we present to you. It is that peace which the Bible mentions, which we quoted above, a "peace that surpasses all understanding." It is the "peace of God . . . through Christ Jesus." There is only one way to know this kind of peace, a peace which will quiet those anxious night-time thoughts and concerns. As the Bible says, "through Christ Jesus."

The absence of peace is due to our war against God. Yes, even though you may think not, you ARE at war with God, if you haven't made peace with Him through Jesus Christ. In the worship services of our Church we hear God each week declare this promise to us, His people: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." These aren't merely words which our Pastor speaks, but a sure promise from God to all who gather to worship Him in that Name, Jesus.

If you will come to Christ, repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you will know peace, a "peace that surpasses all understanding."

Link: http://www.cornerstoneurc.org