If you spend any time watching the news or way too long looking at your newsfeed, than you know it is getting crazy out there. Dwelling on what is going on in the world without balancing by taking time resting in God’s presence and reading the Bible will lead to unnecessary anxiety. One of the last things my Grandpa David Hjertstedt told me before he died was to always keep my eyes open to what is going on around the world so I know how to interceed. He lead a long life of sacrifice and service to God while interceeding 24/7. He would lay on his bed all night weeping and groaning for the world to come to salvation. He taught my family and thousands of others to always have a pulse on the world and keep our ears open to what the Spirit of the Lord was saying. 

To be honest, lately, I have gotten out of balance. With all that is happening with ISIS, the Middle East and the lack of godly leadership coming from the White House my heart and mind and been overwhelmed. My source of peace has been right there but I did not turn to Him.  Today, I began looking up verses on Peace. While I read them it was like the Word slapped some sense back into me. We have to keep both eyes on Jesus Christ who is the salvation of our world, while looking at the world He holds in His hands. When our eyes are only on the world and where it is  heading we are willingly allowing anxiety, stress and fear enter our heart and spirit. The last thing you want is for a door to be left open to the enemy. CLOSE THAT DOOR IN JESUS NAME!! Repent for opening the door. Close the Door of fear! Close the door of worry! And Close the Door of doubt! Do not allow your good intentions of being alert to what is going on so you can pray, to be turned into an open door where the enemy can take advantage of your sensitive heart. 

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

  
We need to make sure we let God carry the burdens while we walk side by side with Him carring His yoke. 

  
So my encouragement to you today is to stop watching/listening to the news for a while and set your focus on Him. Fill your facebook newsfeeds with scripture and encourage others where they can find true peace. Are we being a testimony of peace or are we only stirring fear? Never stop sharing truth of what is really going on in the world because too many people feel better with their heads in the sand. THAT IS NOT AN ACT OF BEING VIGILANT! Some Christians think that getting into politics or world affairs is not a position of peace, but in reality it is exactly what Jesus encouraged us to do. 

1 Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

We need to be ambassadors of PEACE! We need to hold up the banner of Peace, Truth and Righteousness. There is an old song I remeber and the chorus goes “For the captain of the Host is Jesus. We are following in His footsteps. No foe can stand against us in our land!”

PRAY -BE ALERT & AWARE- SPREAD PEACE – SHARE THE SALVATION THAT ONLY COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!