Breaking Open the Flask

     John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."       Unfathomable peace comes when we are so intune to Him that we have no need to rely on our own understanding, serve ourselves or bypass the authority of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Peace comes because we are obediently offering our whole hearts to Him to benefit His Kingdom.  When peace does not exist we must find out why and tarry for it as Oswald notes.  Peace does not exist because of my decisions.  And questions do not exist where obedience exists.   As I am obedient, I will face problems but they do not distract or cast doubt nor do they produce chaos.  They simply compel me to enjoy God's peace and to anxiously await His solve! 

     He caught my attention today in Luke 18:1, "....always pray not give up.... I will see justice."  I've known so many who have prayed the same prayer request for years and have yet to see an answer.  I've always wondered how it must feel not get the answer you desire especially if your prayer is for your mate to meet Christ as their Saviour.      Today, I'm struck by Intercessory Prayer in a whole new way.  I've always thought of it as my opportunity to pray for someone, on behalf of their circumstances.  I discovered two things I was missing out on though.  I haven't been putting myself in God's place to see from His mind and His perspective.  And secondly, I've been asking for too much understanding or information.  It's not how much I know that's beneficial.  Knowing too much can become overwhelming to my flesh and keep me from seeing His Truth.  Rather it's praying to become Like Him!      In our culture, we miss out on so m