Connected — Rejoicing in the Peace of God
We have been brought into a special connection in Christ. This connection is described in various scriptures that highlight the advantages and blessings of living in Him and discovering new life, strength, hope, and peace. In Christ, we find the true source of holiness, righteousness and victorious living. Speaking about this connection, Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. As you live connected with Me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you,” John 15:4-8. This fruitfulness encompasses every spiritual and physical blessing that is within Christ and His atoning work. The moment we give our heart fully to Jesus and repent of our sin and trust in Him, we are connected into His body.
That connection accomplishes in us all of the benefits of His victory, life and position. Ephesians 5:30 says, “We are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” The fact that you are connected to Christ changes the focus, outcome and prospects of your life. There are some things supplied in Philippians 4:4-9 that we cannot afford to miss.
Philippians 4:4-5 NKJV Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:4-5 TPT Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.
Our connection with Christ produces real life changes and results within us. It helps in every season of life to know that the Lord is ever near. We are not going it alone through everything that life brings. The Lord is near at hand. We are connected to the source of our strength, help, joy and peace. Since we have this connection, we are able to thrive with joyous celebrations in every season of life. Consider how our connection to the Lord changes the dynamic of our lives.
Philippians 4:6 NKJV Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6 TPT Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life,
Pay attention to the significance of your connection with the Lord and how we are encouraged to communicate with Him about every aspect of our lives. We are told, “Be anxious or worried about nothing…”
How can we do that?
When you recognize the power of your connection with God, it is easier to transfer the load of your burden to Him. Stop trying to bear all of your burdens alone. Cast your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you.
How do we do that?
“Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.” I like the way that is said. We are to saturate our life and being with prayer throughout each day. This prayer takes into account every circumstance and situation and communicates it with definite requests and thanksgiving. Your prayer is directly associated with the peace that you need. Notice how this peace of God impacts your life.
Philippians 4:7 NKJV and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Notice how your prayer and peace are connected. If you want a peace that transcends understanding, you must saturate your day in prayer. When we maintain that continual connection in prayer, God’s peace guards our heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Since His peace is powerfully working within us, we can freely change the way we think about life and the circumstances we are facing. Rather than worrying about what is happening, our hearts, minds and indeed all of our life is filled with His answers. This changes our thought life and faith. I know that since I am connected to Christ, I have confidence God is working everything for my good.
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received… Then the God of peace will be with you.
Your connection with Christ changes everything. When you recognize the connection that you have in Christ and what that means in every aspect of your life, you cannot help but rejoice in the peace of God. The burden of anxiety and worry fades away when you realize that Almighty God has you covered. This goes beyond feelings or the circumstances of things around you. When you know that you are connected to the life and victory that is in Christ, you can rejoice in His peace.
There are three evidences of being connected to Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Consider the depth of His work to revive and produce something new in you. Not only is He renewing and reviving us, He is perfecting and releasing us from our old worries, anxieties, fears, and burdens. As a result of our connection with Christ, we have been made new and this affects every aspect of our life.
John 8:31-32 NKJV Then Jesus said… “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Pay careful attention to this. Jesus is saying: “As you are in Me and My word, I will reveal My truth to you. But I won’t reveal it to you, if you don’t intend to live by it. You’ll know the truth only after you have committed to obey it!” When you know the truth you will be made free. Abiding in His word brings this witness within. You can have confidence in your connection with Christ.
1 John 4:13 NKJV By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
The life of the Spirit within us is evidence of our connection with Christ. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit gives us lasting assurance and rejoicing in the peace of God.
Do you have a hunger to be renewed by the Holy Spirit?
Are you daily feeding on the bread of life, the Word of God?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit your connection with Christ will cause rejoicing in the peace of God. Healing is coming into you. His peace is going to change your heart and mind.
Philippians 4:19 I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ!
