The Lord prayed, “They (disciples) are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world … and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word… I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:15-17). “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them (includes all believers) also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). The Lord included us and prayed that we would be kept from evil and that our joy might be fulfilled in Him. The Lord prayed for you, you, and even YOU! Amazing!
Today, we are also in, but not of this world. Not only are nations bombarding nations, but Christianity is also being consistently bombarded and saturated with outside worldly stress and strife. Solution! Don’t let the outside world come into your inside world. We must prevent, and protect our families, ministries, and churches from the consistent and continual course of this world (Eph. 2:2). Daily we must go upstream against the flow of this world. Note: Do nothing and you will drift downward. We must reverse and replace this process with inner peace (Phil. 4:9). Solution: The Lord may not still our storms, but He can still us in the storms. We must shut out the world and be shut in with God. While inside, it is a “No-No” to even talk or think about the outside. Don’t even leave the door ajar. While shut in, we must also bombard our family and home with prayer, love, peace, hope and the Word of God. It is a time to make loving moments that will become lasting memories. A time to rest from stress (Matt. 11:28). Inward peace soon becomes outward peace!
Remember! When in the world, we are not of this world. This world is not our home, but we are salt to make a difference and a light to shine into this dark world (Matt. 5:13-14). The world does not care what we know until they know that we care. In simple words, it is alright for the boat to be in the water, but not for water to be in the boat. Lingering Lot was taken out of Sodom but Sodom was not taken out of Lot. The Bible says, “Remember Lot’s wife?” Why? Because she could not leave the world she loved. Remember Achan! Remember Demas! While in this world don’t love or get entangled in the ways of this world (1 John 2:15; 2 Pet. 2:20). You can find food in a garbage can, but don’t go there to eat. When someone falls into a well, don’t join them, but simply lower a rope. As the Lord, be friendly but not familiar (James 4:4). Don’t become worldly to win the world. We are in this world, but the world should not be in us. Don’t be overcome but overcome (Rev. 3:21). Also there are times, as Noah, that we must shut out the world and be shut in with God. Remember! We are in this world, but not of this world.
No God – No Peace … Know God – Know Peace
