Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Mar 15th, 2021 Five Peace Killers … by Pastor Wayne Z. Foster

Today’s Passage – Joshua 10 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Timothy 1 – 6; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Deuteronomy 32:4

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Day the Sun Stood Still“

Read the “0315 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

In the Book of Joshua, we see the record of the Children of Israel as they go through and claim the Land of Canaan.  We know this as the Promise Land. These passages are historical recordings of Israel’s exploits.  Time and time again we see how God delivered Israel’s enemies into their hands.  What we read can be directly and spiritually applied to our lives today.

In Joshua 10, the five kings Adonizedek, Hoham, Piram, Japhia, Debir, were angry that Gibeon had tricked Joshua into making peace with them. This is a prime example from the Bible of why we should pray or we will pay.  These kings want to destroy Gibeon. This is because Gibeon made peace. In our lives when we receive Jesus Christ into our hearts we receive something we never had before.  It is the peace of God.  Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” 

Peace is something that the world desires but never achieves. This is because we live in a world run by chaos and confusion.  This world is run by the Devil. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4,  “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: “Ephesians 2:2. When we get peace our flesh automatically starts to attack and tries to destroy it.  

There are 5 things that will erode peace in your life: 

1. Worry: Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Worry is like a rocking chair it gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere. Peace is based on trust.  If you are trusting God you will have peace.  It is when you don’t trust God to handle your problems or situations that worry creeps in and steals your peace.  Trust God!
2. Doubt: Matthew 14:31 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  When you get saved you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit.  There is nothing that you cannot accomplish for God.  With God all things are Possible! The Devil knows this and takes full advantage.  He gets you to doubt. Doubt your self-worth in Christ.  Doubt that God can use you.  Doubt that you are good enough.  The ceiling that blocks your prayers is doubt.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith is the opposite of doubt.  Do not doubt God, have faith in Him!
3. Sin: James 1:15 – Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”  Sin is like an unlimited credit but with 100% interest.  You think it will give you everything you want but in the end its takes everything you needed and wanted. Sin is like the monster you used to think hid in your closet when you were a child.  The problem is this monster is real.  Even if you close your eyes it’s still there watching you, haunting you, and draining you of your peace.  Sin makes you paranoid just ask King Saul.  Sin makes you crazy just ask Samson.  Sin will steal your peace just ask David.
4. People: Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Setting yours eyes on people instead of God will steal your peace.  Often times we are so concerned with others opinions, we lose track of the one we really should be concerned about, Jesus. In our lives we live to please God not people.  Pride pushes us to please people.  The Bible pushes us to please God. You should not worry about how people view you.  Be aware of how God views you. If you are living for God, the right people will have the correct view of you.
5. Fear: Psalm 37:1 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Fear is paralyzing.  It inhibits you from accomplishing what God has for you.  Fear causes us to stay put instead of doing great things for God.  In the wild a lion roars to stun its prey.  Often that roar instills a fear so great it paralyzes the prey.  That’s what Satan does to Christians.  1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” There are many fears that will hinder your peace.  Fear of failure.  Fear of change.  Far of loss. God does not want us to live in fear.  We are meant to live victorious in Christ. Fear will hinder your walk with God.  It will steal your confidence in Christ, and bring you many sleepless nights. Don’t let fear rob you of peace, we are more than Conquers!