There is a sense of uneasiness about us. Many have expressed a restlessness and a disillusionment about our country and our world. It is hard to fabricate a peaceful heart. Fear and anxiety creep in almost unknowingly.
Over and over in Scripture we are promised peace. Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” In Philippians 4:7 we are promised, “the peace that surpasses all understanding.” Isaiah 26:3 says “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. “ Why don’t we (I) trust Him?
365 times the Scriptures tell us, “do not fear or do not be afraid.” God wants us to have a peaceful heart. He is sovereign, He is faithful and He is all powerful.
I’m reading a book about World War I and the writings of Tolkien and C. S. Lewis – A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War. It has opened my eyes to the devastation and the futility of that First World War. I understand better why the leaders of England and France prior to World War II wanted to believe in the treaties they signed with Hitler. They didn’t want another conflict like the last one. They wanted peace at any cost. But for Tolkien and Lewis, they rediscovered faith and heroism despite the Great War. They used the war as a stepping stone.
We know we are in a battle for men’s souls. Our ambition though is to go into this battle with God’s peace, His abiding presence, and the unwavering assurance that He is the Victor. We trust God’s character and His Plan. We begin to look for what God is doing in every situation, even discouraging ones.
And what is God doing in YBL? We have hired a new director for Jackson. We are excited to have Jay Fletcher fill that position. We are also actively pursuing the WBL director position and have some good candidates.
We just returned from taking a team of men over to help with the 60,000 flooded homes in Baton Rouge. We have begun to mentor and lead a group of Samford students; to prepare them to be Godly leaders in the marketplace.
We are planning our Fall breakfast on November 4th with Jack Alexander, Chairman of the Reimagine Group. Our golf tournament is November 7th at Riverchase. And we started a new Concentrating on the Majors study this week. God is blessing us.
Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement for this ministry. Many of you commented to me that you immediately pray when you get your Pray4YBL email. Please accept my gratefulness in advance for your giving this 4th quarter.
Let us continue to give a bold witness by our words, our life focus, and our demonstration of a heartfelt peace. Did not Jesus say to the wind and waves, “Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased and there was great calm.”(Mark 4:39). That same Holy Spirit power resides in us.
Abiding in His peace,
Phil