"Perfect Peace and Rest"

"May the GOD who inspires men to endure, and gives them constant encouragement, give you a mind united with one another in your common loyalty to CHRIST JESUS. And then, as one man, you will sing from the heart the praises of GOD the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST...May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope." Romans 15:5,6,13

Dear Friends,

Monday afternoon, my husband and i took off on a date. Wow...what a blessing. The kids fended for themselves., treating their granddaddy, to "Chick-fil-A," and spent some time with him while we were gone. Well, actually, i imagine it was the other way around...he probably treated them. My husband and i took off and rode through the winding country road up to Fayetteville, Tn. As we drove along, we listened to "Rush Limbaugh" at my request...that was a first, i usually like to talk on our dates. My interest in politics has really escalated in recent weeks and my husband is glad about that. As we rode along listening to Rush talk about the Stimulus Bill or "Porkulus Bill," as he describes it, Johnny would occasionally stop his Ipod and explain something to me that he was talking about. We talked and listened and as we got closer to "Sarge's Shack," the restaurant we were eating at near Pulaski, Rush began talking about the socialized health care hidden in that stimulus bill. We listened as Rush read some things quoting Tom Daschle who authored this bill, i believe. In it he was talking about how the elderly were going to have to learn to live with some things, they would be too sick and too old to merit spending more money on by the government... Doctors will basically have to follow the orders of the government, no individualized medicine, and our private medical records, that we've had to fill out so many "privacy" forms for, will suddenly become basically common knowledge through electronic medical records.

After we sat in the car a few minutes listening to this dismal news, it was nice to get out and go eat where they were having Bluegrass singing and playing to get our minds off the world's troubles. We ordered grilled chicken and had salads and rice, and as we ate and talked, we could hear them singing bluegrass music and playing in the front room. It was really a blessing to talk and "catch up" and discuss events from the past few days. My husband was very comforting to me...he's glad i'm keeping up more with what's going on in the world, but doesn't want me to be afraid. It's funny, he's the "calm" one these days, balances me, and seems like when he's the one not so calm, i'm his balance. GOD just seems to work that way through marriage.

After we finished eating, we walked to the door of the room where were singing and playing music , and it warmed my heart hearing them sing...especially when they sang about JESUS. These folks were having a great time buckdancing, playing the spoons, guitars, banjo's, and singing. This was a nice place to forget about what was happening in the outside world and enjoy the moment. I thought this is so "southern," as i looked over and saw a man eating in his overalls with a long grey beard. We listened to the music a while, and talked to some folks who were singing and dancing and a man from Australia who came in with his little girl. They were on vacation and had visited several states. If they were looking for some "southern" culture, they had found it. They liked the way we talked, and we loved hearing their Australian accent. After we left the restaurant we didn't listen to Rush too much...think we'd had enough bad news for one day. We actually received some other bad news from a phone call from our son that threatened to ruin our peace. As Johnny said the news from my son just kept "exploding in his head." I'm not going to share that "news" ...but let's just say, the devil was trying really hard to rob our family of peace that night and he did have a measure of victory. That "news" along with many other issues that are cropping up on every turn these days if you're listening or reading conservative CHRISTian news (www.worldnetdaily.com , www.olivetreeviews.org. www.onenewsnow.com ) can certainly destroy my peace if i allow it. The "Fairness Doctrine," that threatens to remove the freedoms of CHRISTian and conservative radio, "hate crimes bill" that would prevent pastors and others from speaking out against homosexuals and others living contrary to biblical laws, gun control laws, camps being set up by Homeland Security for who knows what, abortion expanded, socialized medicine... there is a lot going on, serious things, but yet GOD is the one "who inspires men to endure, and gives us constant encouragement...and a mind united with one another in our common loyalty to CHRIST JESUS. "

I wrote an email a few years ago called "I Can See the ROCK," which seem to strike a chord with several of you. You know how much i love the river...the glorious river where the LORD speaks to my heart so much and gives me HIS peace. I went paddling one winter Sat. morning (i'm trying to be a good girl and not do that any more alone during cold weather) and the cove that i paddle in during the summer and fall, looked very different in the winter when the leaves have fallen off the trees. I could see the huge rocks that are usually hidden behind the leaves of the trees the rest of the year. I remember the LORD speaking to me and whispering to my heart, that it's when the "leaves" of the world fall off the trees" in my life,that " I can see the ROCK," of my LORD JESUS CHRIST so much more clearer, than when i have a lot of "stuff" in my life...when "the barn is full" as Charles Spurgeon puts it. GOD has proven HIMself so faithful and true over and over in my life, and i know that each time HE allows the "leaves to fall off my trees," that "I CAN see the ROCK," so much more nearly and dearly...and I am learning to cherish those hardships, though it hurts, when "I Can See my ROCK," more clearly and dearly.

Charles Spurgeon shares so beautifully in his Feb.12 Morning Devotion from Morning and Evening, the consolation that CHRIST brings us in our trials, whether they be what's going on in the world, our health, finances, marriage, career, loss of loved ones, etc. Trials brings us into a closer relationship with JESUS CHRIST as HE comforts us and gives us peace...and shows us that indeed HIS "grace is sufficient and HIS power is made perfect in our weakness." II Corinthians 12:9

Author: Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Morning: Make Room for Consolation

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."
--2 Corinthians 1:5
There is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales--in this side He puts His people's trials, and in that He puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to His crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart--He finds it full--He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it.
Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this--then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah. "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.
We may have some "leaves" falling off our trees mighty fast...i'm not sure where all this is going to lead with our government, but i do know the "kings heart is in the hand of the LORD; HE directs it like a watercourse wherever HE pleases." Pro. 21:1. YES!!!! That brings peace to my heart...GOD is in control...and this is not a "runaway train." When GOD reminds me that HE is in control, and that HE knows all about what is happening...HIS peace replaces my fear. Psalm 2 reminds us of WHO is in control, it's not the President, the Democrats, or Republicans, United Nations, or whoever,but it's the LORD JESUS CHRIST:

Psalm 2
"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD
And against HIS ANOINTED ONE.
"Let us break their chains," they say
And throw off their fetters."
The ONE enthroned in heaven laughs;
The LORD scoffs at them.
Then HE rebukes them in HIS anger
And terrifies them in HIS wrath, saying,
"I have installed my KING on ZION, my holy hill."
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
HE said to me, "YOU are my SON;
today I have become YOUR FATHER.
Ask of me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
YOU will rule them with an iron scepter;
YOU will dash them to pieces like pottery."
"Therefore you kings, be wise;
Be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the SON, lest HE be angry
And you be destroyed in your way,
For HIS wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in HIM.


When i am listening to these different issues going on around me in today's world and my anxiety level is rising, i am comforted when GOD reminds me ,"The ONE enthroned in heaven laughs; The LORD scoffs at them..." those who are trying to take HIS name out of public except when they use it in vain, or persecute CHRISTians, or take away the freedoms that the best men and women of our land have fought and died and sacrificed... GOD knows all about it. HE has already written the book about it, and it is being fulfilled. HIS inerrant, prophetic WORD, the Bible,written hundreds of years ago, by 40 authors, men inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, is being fulfilled right before our eyes, and that is exciting! HIS WORD continues to bear witness over and over that JESUS is GOD...JESUS is WHO HE said HE was and is..."In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. HE was with GOD in the beginning,"John 1:1,2. When JESUS was in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Roman soldiers soldiers came to take HIM away to be crucified..."JESUS said to the multitudes,"Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take ME? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize ME. But all this was done that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."Matthew 26:56. All that we see going on around us is "that the Scriptures might be fulfilled" and that brings me great peace. Doesn't mean we want go through some difficult days, JESUS was beaten, mocked, and nailed to the cross, but those days will draw us that much closer to our LORD and to our brothers and sisters in CHRIST...and draw others to CHRIST who don't know HIM. Out of our suffering comes life...life from JESUS CHRIST.
The ONE who left HIS glorious home in heaven and laid down HIS perfect life on a wooden tree for you and me to pay the punishment for your sins and mine, also made it possible for us to be "heirs of GOD and co-heirs with CHRIST, if indeed we share in HIS sufferings in order that we may also share in HIS glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:17,18. HE is the ONE who rose from the grave on the 3rd day and ascended into heaven and left us here to be HIS witnesses..."But you will receive power when the HOLY SPIRIT comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts. 1:8 Those early CHRISTians had to have some persecution among them so they would spread out and be JESUS' witnesses "to the ends of the earth." Otherwise they would have probably stayed in their "Holy Huddles," like we tend to do. HE is the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDs and HE will return for HIS children one day and take us to heaven. "For you yourselves know full well that the day of the LORD will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3. And that day may be very,very soon. As we look for HIS return, we need to be diligent to "Contend for the Faith," and tell others about the wonderful salvation that is ours in CHRIST JESUS for those who repent of their sins and believe in HIM. "GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only SON that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. This salvation is the "perfect peace and rest" as CHRIST died so that we might have peace with GOD...HE paid the cost for our sins that separate us from GOD. HIS forgiveness takes away the guilt of our sin, and enables us to forgive those who sin against us. HIS power enables us to replaces bitterness with love, and anger with joy. HE replaces our fear with HIS peace "that passes all understanding" as "our hearts are stayed on HIM."



Several years ago, we were in church one Sunday morning and sang the hymn, "Like a River Glorious." Like so many things in my journey as a CHRISTian, i had never paid very much attention to the words to this hymn until i was hurting. I was going through a very difficult time with my health and i remember the words to this hymn, especially the third verse jumping off the page at me, and giving me peace in the midst of my sorrows as I sang the words, "Every joy or trial, Falleth from above, traced upon our dial by the SUN of LOVE; We may trust HIM fully All for us to do; They who trust HIM wholly Find HIM wholly true."

It's been several years down the road from that Sunday morning, and i have found HIM to be "wholly true", and to fully do for me all that i have needed just as HE has promised...and HE will continue to. JESUS CHRIST is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8) and "...HE who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of CHRIST JESUS." Phil. 1:6. I praise my precious LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST and rejoice in HIS goodness and faithfulness to be wholly true and HE does give me HIS perfect peace, when my heart is stayed upon JEHOVAH...it's when i start looking around at my circumstances and take my eyes off of JESUS that i'm like Peter and sink in the storm. Now i look at the second verse of "Like a River Glorious," and i'm amazed at the comfort it brings me for "such a time as this:"

Hidden in the hollow Of HIS blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand
Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry-Touch the SPIRIT there.


Remembering HIS faithfulness in the past to love me and care for me in difficult times "traced upon our dial by the SUN of LOVE," gives me the peace and comfort to know that HE will be faithful with the future that lies in HIS hands...and not in men's. I do have to be reminded that GOD is in control and i'm so thankful for my dear husband, and the HOLY SPIRIT, our COMFORTER, who reminded me of that this week.
I love you all very much and I thank GOD for your dear encouragement to my heart during these "Days of Elijah." You honor me by taking time out of your busy schedule to read these emails and pray for our family. May we be faithful to pray for one another and encourage each another to keep our eyes, "Stayed Upon JEHOVAH," finding in HIM our "perfect peace and rest."



"Thou wilt keep HIM in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE; because he trusts in THEE." Isaiah 26:3

With all HIS love,
Mitzi

"Like a River Glorious" by Frances Havergal

Like a river glorious Is GOD's perfect peace
Overall victorious in its bright increase
Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day;
Perfect, yet it growth, Deeper all the way.

Chorus:
Stayed upon JEHOVAH
Hearts are fully blest
Finding as HE promised,
Perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow Of HIS blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand
Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry-Touch the SPIRIT there.

Every joy or trial Falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial By the SUN of LOVE;
We may trust HIM fully All for us to do;
They who trust HIM wholly Find HIM wholly true.