2020 Jan – Message from Rev. Pierre Tang

It is the beginning of a new year, 2020, and I wish you all "peace in the Lord." Why do we want to talk about peace? Because this is what the Lord Jesus has promised to all who believe in Him: "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.”  John 14:27.

Peace is something very special, we clearly know whether we have it or not, and we really cannot pretend to have it. Peace cannot be fabricated, it flows naturally from the heart. In the course of my life as a Christian, personal peace from the Lord is something that I have experienced most. Before I believed in Jesus, I always lacked a sense of security, and I was prone to be suspicious of others. I also had poor interpersonal relationships. After I became a believer, I often pray for myself and ask the Lord to help me change my attitude towards life and grant me His peace. Once, I was having a meal in a restaurant, and the waiter was very irritated and rude. But I had peace, and I thanked him for his service with gentle words. Later, he actually ran over to apologize and told me about the difficulties he was facing. In the past, I would have been very angry and would counterattack his poor attitude.

Once an elder pastor listed out the reasons why people have no peace: sufferings in the world, personal health issues, internal worries and anxieties, unfortunate happenings, heavy burdens in people’s conscience, emptiness in their hearts, and broken interpersonal relationships. . Human beings are really limited in power. We cannot change the present nor control the future. This makes it very easy for us to lose peace. However, a person who trusts in the Lord can always receive peace from Him.

Lastly, let me share with you a little secret about peace from the Bible: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. May true peace always be with you!