Those things, which ye have both learned , and received , and heard , and seen in me, do : and the God of peace shall be with you.–Phil. 4:9

It is well when a man can with advantage be so minutely copied as Paul might have been. Oh, for grace to imitate him this day and every day!

Should we, through divine grace, carry into practice the Pauline teaching, we may claim the promise which is now open before us; and what a promise it is! God, who loves peace, makes peace, and breathes peace, will be with us. “Peace be with you” is a sweet benediction; but for the God of peace to be with us is far more. Thus we have the fountain as well as the streams, the sun as well as his beams. If the God of peace be with us, we shall enjoy the peace of God which passeth all understanding, even though outward circumstances should threaten to disturb. If men quarrel, we shall be sure to be peacemakers, if the Maker of peace be with us.

It is in the way of truth that real peace is found. If we quit the faith or leave the path of righteousness under the notion of promoting peace, we shall be greatly mistaken. First pure, then peaceable, is the order of wisdom and of fact. Let us keep to Paul’s line, and we shall have the God of peace with us as He was with the apostle. (Faith’s Checkbook)

“And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” —1 Samuel 3:8–10

A father once became so engulfed in his work that he neglected his family. Tensions were high as he stormed around home night after night, eating dinner then rushing off to his study. His relationship with his wife suffered and his children felt cut off from him. Their conversations with their father routinely fell on deaf ears and they felt as if he were no longer interested in them. One night his young daughter approached him, “Dad, I have something to tell you, but I’ll talk fast so I won’t bother you.” Realizing the error of his behavior the past few weeks, he replied, “You can talk to me, sweetie. But you don’t have to rush.” His daughter replied, “Then will you listen to me, please?”

Sadly many folks are guilty of hearing without listening. That is especially true when it comes to our relationship with God. We hear the words but we don’t get the message, or we fail to respond. Can you imagine what would have happened to Israel, or David, had it not been for for Samuel? His sensitivity and submission to God’s word made a huge difference in the history of Israel. Because of the prayers of his mother, the wise counsel of the priest, and the obedience of Samuel the course of a nation was changed.

You too can make a difference, and God wants to use you! Listen for His call. Yield to His instructions. I’m not talking about about hearing an audible voice as Samuel did. God speaks today through His Word as it is applied by the Holy Spirit. Look into His Word and listen for His will, then submit yourself. Regardless of how difficult or impossible it might seem, when God calls you to do something He will enable you to do it. The only possibility of failure is on your part. Surrender all to God and you can make a difference in your little part of the world.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger ; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst .–John 6:35

Everyone is searching for something. We are born hungry. With birth comes an appetite. We just naturally long for satisfaction– something the world is unable to provide. That, however, doesn’t stop people from looking there for it. Some search for pleasure, others for possessions, some for a position, others for power,and popularity. Yet they are never satisfied. James Meikle (1730-1799) wrote:

Though I could trace my pedigree through illustrious heroes, and renowned kings, back to the first foundation of kingdoms, this would not furnish my soul with all it would desire. Though I had the knowledge of all educated men summed up in myself, so that the wisest philosophers might come and learn at my feet, still my desire would have its void to fill. Though I had all magnificent titles, honorary epithets, aggrandizing distinctions, and appellations of renown, even these would not fill the extensive blank. Though I had the uncontrolled dominion of the whole universe devolved on me, so that my name were revered in every nation, statues set up to me in all lands, and my fame and glory echoed through every kingdom, still would my desires be making new demands. Though Arabia, as my possession, should present me all her fragrant spices, the Indies, as my inheritance, amass for me all their riches, and all kingdoms, as tributary, send me their wares; though the earth should burst open all her silver veins and golden mines to enrich my treasures; though my throne were of one pearl, and my crown of one diamond; though my guards were kings, my menial servants princes, and my immediate subjects nobles; though the daily guests of my table were thousands and ten thousands of honorable personages; and though, for the entertainment of my table, my flocks should cover every hill, my herds range over every flowery valley, and the fowls of every wing alight around my palace, while the fish of every fin came, when needed, spontaneously ashore; though the fountains should flow with oil, the rivers stream with wine, and the forests drop honey—yet my heart would not say, ‘It is enough!’

He was right dear friend. That which satisfies is not to be found on the earth. There is only One source of satisfaction and that is Christ! Without any of the aforementioned things He is able to satisfy the deepest longings of our soul.  “In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” My desires are complete in him. I can go no further, I can wish no more than he has. Then, for the present, I am happier than the happiest worldling, having a heaven in possession! While a heaven of rapture and delight, floods of ecstasy and bliss, are in reserve for me!