Peace as a vital commodity for our wellbeing or as our Bro. Andre will say for our "bien Stre" is acknowledged by all. Many pursue it by different means, but yet seldom can testify of its being a true reality in their lives. Long before I ever seriously thought about it, I was just a kid in Sunday School; I was singing along with the many other kids, "I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in my souL" I was singing it, I believed it; it was real in my heart, and was a grand experience, that which made my early and youthful life pleasant, meaningful and enjoyable. You see, Peace is never stale, it is not static or stagnant, but as a fountain it flows through you, it has a source, and that source is Jesus, who long before His incarnation was named, (Isa, 9:6) "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Granted as a child I had nothing to worry about, my parents took care of all of my needs, truly I did not have a care in this world, life was just mine to enjoy, and enjoy I did. I remember this quotation, "Life is fragile handle it with care" (handle it with prayer too) thus one of the most important ingredients we've been given to take care of this life, even with all of its ills, it is Peace.

The former illustrates a very important point. The fact being that we choose to cease being children, and as such, falsely believe we can take care of ourselves, by ourselves. With God as our heavenly Father, we should always remain children in the sense of being in total dependence on Him. Whenever we repeat the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, " it should be a reinitializing and focal point for the beginning of our every day. This is the greatest principle in our experiencing the constancy of peace in our lives. Without peace, we don't feel good, we don't look good, food and drink don't taste good, love and relationships are rendered useless, and life soon becomes undesirable. Do you know someone whom this aptly describes? I hope it is not you, but if it does, there is hope for you.
In (Phil. 4: 4-7) V 7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. " This scriptural reference clearly tells us that this peace is only found through Jesus. You may practise Yoga, transcendental meditation, undergo psychological therapeutic interventions, and be prescribed pharmacological concoctions, even participate in ceremonial religious indulgences, such are only poor substitutes which greatly fall short of what really ails the human soul. They do not and cannot provide healing and wellness to our soul. Without Jesus, you will surely continue to be plagued with depression, mental breakdowns and episodes of melancholy. The word of God states in (Neh. 8: 10) "For the Joy of the Lord is your strength." The Lord always gives us more than we ask for. Solomon asked for wisdom knowledge and understanding, God added riches. When we seek His peace He also gives us joy. Yes, Joy always accompanies God's Peace. The Joy you experience is directly proportional to the peace you've found in the Lord Jesus.

(Rom. 5: 1) Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. There are three phrases and phases we must examine this morning.
1/ Peace with God. Rom 5:1
2/ Peace of God. Phil 4:7
3/ God of Peace. Phil 4:9
We have already established that peace is only possible through Christ Jesus. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Know Him, Know Peace; No Him (Jesus), No Peace, it is just that plain and simple.

1/. The first phrase and phase, is indicative of the unsaved man, whose sins are yet unforgiven; there exist no peace between him and God; there is impending condemnation and judgement. Someone in this state cannot possess the Peace of God, and the God of Peace will not be with Him.

2/. The second phrase and phase, is indicative of the saved individual, who has experienced justification, (being made as if he had never sinned) through accepting Jesus as His Saviour and Redeemer. Such a one having settled his peace with God, now receives The Peace of God, which passes all understanding. Brother, Sister, forgive me, as preacher I suppose to have most answers, but I must confess I cannot explain this one, the reason is simple, the Bible says it passes all understanding, and shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

3/. Now in this phrase and phase, we have some responsibilities; we have an active role to play. We have to discipline and condition our mind and heart from the previous unregenerate practices through our thought life. You see every act of doing is preceded by a thought. Correct the thinking process, and you'll correct the consequential act. (Phil 4:8-9) Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (V 8) Those things which you have both learned and received and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of Peace shall be with you. Almost in contradiction to my topic, I state that the peace we seek in our lives will only be illusive, if that quest and search is outside of Jesus, who is the very personification of our Peace.
I thank God that He does a complete and perfect work always. If we follow His word, His Blessings, and the fulfilment of His promises to us remain true and will always come through on our behalf.

(Eph.3:16-21)

(16)That He will grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
(17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
(18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
(19) and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God
(20) Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
(21) Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end

AMEN.