FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE IN CAPE GIRARDEAU: WHEN LIFE IS IN TURMOIL, SEEK GOD'S PEACE

The Rev. William L. Burke was born and raised in Beloit, Wis. He received a bachelor of arts degree in religion at Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, Ill. After spending 8 years in itinerate evangelism, he served as pastor of the Church of the Nazarene at Farmington for five years. He came to Cape Girardeau in February, 1989.

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:2

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." The words sound good and so, Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians. I've read them before and so I start to read on but the Holy Spirit nudges my spirit and says wait; read it again.

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I've read those words somewhere before. Let's see, Romans 1:7 yeah, there it is. Well look, there it is again in I Corinthians 1:3, II Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3 and again in Philippians 1:3. In fact as I check, Paul says this to start each one of his epistles.

Then as I read I and II Peter, I find that Peter has almost the exact blessing. Well it must have been a common way for people to greet each other back then.

No, the world didn't know or care about the grace of God even back then and they certainly didn't think that peace of heart came from God. So this must be a greeting unique to the church. I guess we need to constantly remind ourselves of this.

But the Holy Spirit continues to speak to me about this verse, especially about the word "peace." In any given day we meet a lot of people. They sure don't seem very peaceful. In fact they seem to fight so hard to find some peace in their life. I meet a lot of Christians throughout the week too. Do they have peace? Am I at peace? Do I have God's peace in my heart? Peace is good so God's peace must be awesome.

Listen as Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful," (John 14:26) and "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace." (John 16:33a)

The first thing that Jesus said to His disciples when He met with all of them for the first time after the resurrection was "Peace be with you." (John 20:26)

Could it be that in the midst of the turmoil and the frustrations that surround us in our world God wants us to experience His peace? Could it be that right now, right where you're at, with all that you are going through, God can give you Peace?

I believe God cares about our whole person; not just our spiritual well being, but also our emotional well being. He cares when we hurt and when we are in the midst of turmoil. He wants us to live in peace with Him and ourselves and our world.

One of my favorite gospel songs was written by Steve Adams. At a time when a tornado was only a few hundred feet from him reeking havoc and destruction, he wasn't sure of his own safety or the safety of his family. But he was aware of God's presence and peace. From that experience he wrote the song, "Peace in the Midst of the Storm." Why not let Jesus give you His today?

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:2