I just celebrated a birthday. It's also exam time for my children, so we delayed any 'real' festivities until the weekend ('cept the private ones families like ours never pass up). And that's ok. But here's the funny part: I don't realize my age until I tell someone. Lol.
No really. It never dawns on me that I'm 'getting up there' until I actually say the number. And looking at me, I'm told, you'd never guess it.
My very best friend called me and she and her family sang the birthday song for me. When it was my part, I sang my age. When we were finished, she was shocked to learn that I'm older than her. Lol. I mean really! Sarcastically I told her when I met her she was like 12 but in reality, when I met her, I was two years older than she, but my travels and experiences often made me forget how young I was. And here this young whipper snapper talking 'bout she thought she was older than I. Lol.
How is it I stay so young? Well, it could be my wonderful genes that help me not look as if I'm aging quickly. It could be my lightheartedness that I've found due to having children. But I believe it's also the peace I have in my heart. When I found this peace, that's when people really took notice. I received so many 'you look good...' compliments, that even now, I still blush. I always give glory to God because without Him, I'm sure I'd wear my age and more.
So where does this peace come from? Oh, my dears! It comes straight from the Almighty. Although it's always readily available, we don't often readily receive it. We don’t do what we are supposed to do to keep it!
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
It's that simple. Keep your mind on Him.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
When I was learning to mediate, and I don't mean Buddhist stuff or whatever people do, I first practiced clearing my mind. Before I found peace, it was hard to sleep because my mind was always on. Planning, solving, doing. Just always on. Once I heard God tell me I had too many distractions, I began to practice thinking about nothing, which really seemed farfetched. But it was achievable...kinda.... Thankfully I was reminded that the Word tells us exactly what to think on and so that's what I thought on.
Again, it wasn't an overnight something. I purposefully practiced thinking on '...these things.' And what I noticed is more often than not, I became aware of my thought life and was able to better arrest the negative thoughts that crept up. I was able to seek Holy Spirit's counsel for guidance. But most importantly, I was able to hear and receive instructions clearer.
The almost last bite size piece of Psalm 37 is:
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalms 37:37-38 KJV
So many people translate the word perfect to mean 'do no wrong'. I don't. I translate it to being Christlike, whom we have died with and was resurrected with and made righteous in. That righteousness makes us perfect but only in Him. I won't go further into this right now, but to all those who say 'no one is perfect', well check your sources.
So watch a truly righteous person. Look at those who really live upright. Not the fake ones who speak one thing but do another. Not the ones who slander and gossip. Not the ministers on the pulpit who are teaching false doctrine. Not the neighbor who can't smile good morning to you. None of them, for when you look at them, do you really see peace?
Look around. Who's really at true peace most of the times (cause the demonic kingdom tries to be sneaky sometimes and hits you in unexpected ways). Those who's face and actions reveal a true EXHALE. Those who mere presence speaks volumes in calming the atmosphere. Those who carry a noticeable presence of the Spirit with them. Those are the perfect ones. They've learn to trust God and found perfect peace in all situations...even when the imps throw a curve ball at them.
And then there is the opposite. The grumpy ones who are never positive. The ones who straddle the fence: on today, off tomorrow. Those who bring discord into the atmosphere. There is no peace there. There is no noticeable presence of the Spirit there. These will be cut away.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:1-2 KJV
Those who transgress will be cut off. Without a concern or second look. Their prosperity (which is way more than money) will be taken away. They will see their own demise. They will be destroyed.
So I want you to do one thing: when you see evildoers around you (people who harbor discord rather than peace, people who lie, steal, and cheat to get ahead, people who are greedy and prideful, etc.), pay them no mind except in prayer. Instead, surround yourself with people who have found that peace in Christ. Watch them. Understand how they maintain their peace. Learn what you can and with Holy Spirit's guidance, learn to walk in peace.
Let's all do our part to keep peace in the atmosphere because with this peace comes the best gifts from God.
Peace,
Keiyia JOYet George
Psalms 37 Series
Part 1 - Evildoers
Part 2 - Do Good
Part 3 - Heart's Desire
Part 4 - The Son Will Rise and Shine For You
Part 5 - REST
Part 6 - Soar Like an Eagle
Part 7 - Seek the Kingdom
Part 8 - It's Not Your Fight
Part 9 - You Will Reap It All
Part 10 - He Got You
Part 11 - Give It Up
Part 12 - Delighted
Part 13 - The Righteous
Part 14 - More Than a Conqueror
Part 15 - Renewed
Part 16 - Cornerstone
Part 17 - Fear Not