GIVING GOD CONTROL OVER MY PROBLEMS

                                                               By Mike Richardson

Col.3:15- "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." In Colossians 3:15 we see a statement by the beloved Apostle Paul in regard to how one is to let the peace dwell in our hearts. Not any peace, but the peace of Christ. It is dealing with giving our problems over to God and letting the peace of Christ rule in our
hearts. When we submit to the will of God, we must allow Christ's peace to govern or rule when we normally think otherwise. This peace is extended to the body of Christ (Col.3:14).
Instead of allowing emotions of anger, covetousness, hatred run rampant we instead are to be governed by the peace of Christ with one another. Let us look at some examples from Scripture.
- BIBLE EXAMPLES
(i) Jacob - Jacob was one who often schemed and planned before praying and seeking the will of God. Just read through his life and notice how many times he used deception instead of faith to accomplish his goals. It took Jacob some time to learn to trust God and let peace into his life. We are to plan ahead, but we do so with our eyes on God and His word. There will be more peace when we do so.
(ii) David - The shepherd boy turned king often struggled, yet he was one that poured his heart out to God. When I see David falling short is the same times, we all fall short; when we look to self-first and God last.
(iii) Elijah - The prophet of God who won the great battle on Mt. Carmel against the false prophets of Baal. He struggled when he got into the wilderness. He began to ask God to take his life. God reminded him there was work still to do and many who had not bowed their knee to Baal. Many times, we do not have peace because we feel all alone. However, there are many who are struggling in life and working to keep the faith just like us. There is peace in knowing that others are going through similar struggles and holding on to their faith and finding peace in Christ.
(iv) Paul - The Apostle Paul is one who found the secret to contentment. In Philippians 4:10-12 Paul wrote, 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at
last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Notice Paul said he LEARNED to be content. It came through the process of learning.
I - PROBLEMS WE FACE: When we think of the amount of things, we are concerned over life can become overwhelming; family problems, church
problems, financial issues, concern over nation, sickness, death, etc. There are a number of things that occur at one time that can make life feel like it is tumbling in on us.
III - HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE ISSUES OF LIFE?
From things we worry about (growing up children) to other issues like grief (loss of loved one) to problems of everyday living, just how do I deal with such issues?
Several suggestions for us to consider.
(1) Contentment is learned and is in Christ. 1 need to learn that whatever the issue I can be content because I am in Christ. That is not always easy, it is a life long lesson, but it is one that we must learn. If I can learn to praise Him in times of joy, then I know that when trouble comes, I can trust Him. I can find peace in Christ when I am at peace with Christ.
(2) Prayer; casting cares on God (I Pet.5:7). Praying daily and thanking God for the good things (Phil.4:6) will help me. Even when I am anxious filled and sorrow ridden, I still have something to thank God for.
(3) Looking forward to heaven. When I keep my eyes on the finish line it helps me remember that heaven will be worth it all. There is peace in knowing that there is nothing here that compares to the glory of heaven (Rom.8:18).

                              "LESSONS FROM THE MANNA"

                                                                   By Mike Richardson
Exodus 16:4 "Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not."
It would seem to me that it would be a difficult task to supply food to the perhaps millions of people in the wilderness. But, by the power of God that was not a difficult task. God fed the people by sending down heavenly
bread that was called manna. In the process of feeding the people, God also taught them lessons from the manna.
Every time they went out and picked up the manna, they learned lessons from the God of heaven. Let us observe
what lessons we can also learn from the manna.
I - WHAT THEY LEARNED FROM THE MANNA SUPPLIED THEM BY GOD.
Through this gift, given each morning, notice some lessons learned.
(i) God's care for His people.
Each morning when they walked outside in the dew laid their daily bread. God provided for His people. Each person
was fed, every person according to his eating of that day. There was no more, there was no less. This care was
shown daily. God did not send it one time and instruct them to gather it up and store it, but He sent fresh bread
every day. They received their daily bread.
(ii) God's greatness.
God had already displayed His greatness in Egypt by the plagues. He again demonstrated His might and power at
the Red Sea parting. But now He gently teaches then His greatness by the quantity of the manna. Just the right
amount of manna fell each morning for FORTY YEARS. One can start to become
accustomed to receiving a blessing and start to take it for granted. The people actually began to complain that they
missed the foods of Egypt and forgot that God was providing for them daily out of His greatness.
iii) God's generosity is displayed in combination with His greatness.
God willingly gave them their food. They never paid a dime. The rich man didn't pay for his omer and the poor man
didn't pay for his. God gave to each; freely, liberally, and in greatness.
(iv) God's Unchanging.
God fed them manna throughout the wilderness. If you lived on the right side of the camp or the left side of the
camp, it did not matter. The manna was plentiful in every direction you went.
(v) God's wisdom and goodness.
In the hot climate He gave them the best food. Meat would have made them ill. When they ate the quail, it made
them sick. God adapted the food to the climate. Note also God's goodness. The bread had flavor. The Bible says it
was "sweet to taste." The Psalmist said in Psalms 78:25 "man did eat angels' food." God was good to provide for
them.
II - THE LORD TAUGHT THEM BY MAKING THIS MANNA A TEST UNTO THEM.
The Lord was not tempting them but testing them to see if they would maintain their faith and gratitude for His
blessings. Could they endure the tests?
( i ) Given every day, to each man.
Don't store it up. There was no opportunity for greed. What you didn't eat - evaporated.
(ii) Friday's storing. Exo.16:22-26 they were instructed on Friday before the Saturday Sabbath. They were to
store up twice as much so they would have food on Saturday. One was not to work on the day of rest God provided,
so they were told to store up Saturday's bread on Friday.
Lessons:
(1) Our supplies depend upon God.
(2) Supplies will come.

(3) We still must do our part and prepare what God has told us to do.