Category: Peace

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Facing Your Fears

“ Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

There is an age old conflict that we all face from time to time. I would like to say that once we’ve successfully conquered it, we never face the battle again but that’s just not true.

Discouragement!

“Why don’t things work out for me the way they do for others? Why am I going through this again and again? Why can’t I get the answers I need? Why do I feel so discourage?”

Discouragement comes when “WE” have been dealing with a particular situation for a prolonged period of time. Even the Scriptures say that “hope deferred makes the heart sick”. And sometimes we get heart sick – now how do we get well?

When King David was dis-couraged, he en-couraged himself in the Lord. It’s possible that after some of his trials, he was inspired to write Psalm 42.

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. 2 In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face? 3 Day and night my tears are my only food, as everyone keeps asking, “Where is your God?” 4 Sorrow floods my heart, when I remember leading the worshipers to your house. I can still hear them shout their joyful praises. 5 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, 6 and you are my God. I am deeply discouraged as I think about you from where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon
and from Mount Mizar. 7 Your vicious waves have swept over me
like an angry ocean or a roaring waterfall. 8 Every day, you are kind,
and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God. 9 You are my mighty rock. Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? 10 Even my bones are in pain, while all day long my enemies sneer and ask, “Where is your God?” 11 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42 CEV

King David asked all the questions of himself that we ask and his conclusion was this; I will praise YOU because YOU are my God.

Courage is the ability to stand strong under adverse and difficult circumstances.

Dis – courage means to take courage away. (Comes from looking at the hopelessness of a situation. Looking at our limited power and resources.)

En – courage is the ability to infuse with courage. (Comes from looking at our God who is infinitely bigger than our situation and His miraculous power and unlimited resources.)

Look at what the Apostle Paul says about adverse circumstances:
“What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36 It is exactly as the Scriptures say,
“For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way
to be butchered.”
37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:31-39 CEV

So face today as the deer who is thirsty – come looking for God.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 KJV

You will be filled! Filled with Courage. Filled to stand strong facing your greatest fears.

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Let Peace Grow

We’ve got a good start on our garden. It would be impossible to ever say we have planted enough. Who can have too much love, joy, peace, humility, patience, kindness? A friend reminded me recently that as long as we abide in the vine (Jesus) we will bear much fruit.

““I am the true Vine. My Father is the One Who cares for the Vine. 2 He takes away any branch in Me that does not give fruit. Any branch that gives fruit, He cuts it back so it will give more fruit. 3 You are made clean by the words I have spoken to you. 4 Get your life from Me and I will live in you. No branch can give fruit by itself. It has to get life from the vine. You are able to give fruit only when you have life from Me. 5 I am the Vine and you are the branches. Get your life from Me. Then I will live in you and you will give much fruit. You can do nothing without Me. ” John 15:1-5 NLV

That’s precisely what we are doing with our garden. We are planting God’s word in our lives and so we are living attached to the Vine and we will produce fruit.

Do you know what the plant in the picture above is?  It’s a peace lily. That’s right, peace lily. I had never heard of such a thing but because I want us to plant seeds of peace today I did a search on peace images and this came up. (Now I need to search and see if they will grow in Southern Arizona and get one.)

This is what I found, “Peace lilies are one of the most common houseplants because they are so easy to grow. Most household varieties grow up to 16 inches tall, but larger cultivars can reach 6 feet in height.”

Let’s get started on planting Peace! We can all use more peace in our days right?

“People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. 6 If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we will have life and peace. ” Romans 8:5-6 CEV

If we  look at things from a worldly viewpoint and not from God’s we will be filled with selfishness, greed, anxiety, and stress. God’s way brings life and peace, I’ll choose His way!

I wish I could say that I always have a life of peace but that just isn’t true. Sometimes I get so caught up in the demands of the day that I find my mind racing here and there – tossed back and forth in what to do or what to do next. Then I hear that small inner voice, better known as the Holy Spirit, whisper “Peace”.

When I see that I’ve lost my peace I know that I haven’t been focusing on the Lord and waiting on His direction because His Word (our seed) promises “God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Did you ever notice that most of the New Testament books begin with greetings of Grace and Peace? If they don’t begin with those two words they generally end with them. Those words aren’t there as space fillers, they have real meaning.  Grace is God’s blessing to us in spite of who we are or what we do. Peace is  inner calm, presence of mind, settled, still.

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 1:3

When we know God’s grace, we can be at peace.

One of the last thing Jesus told his disciples was ““I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:27.

If the disciples could have peace, so can we.

Peace, a true inner peace, will lead us in the right direction and be our compass for making right decisions. When our kids were in school and they would ask if they could go somewhere or do something and we weren’t sure, our answer was always the same. “Let us pray about it and if we have a peace you can go. But if we don’t have peace, it’s a NO GO!” We let God lead in situations where we didn’t have sufficient knowledge and the same has been true in our own decisions about jobs, moving, and other major life decisions.

“So you will go out from there with joy. You will be led out in peace.” Isaiah55:12 CEV

Sometimes we will be overwhelmed with a sense of peace. Everything around us says we should be worried, stressed out or in complete fear but then there comes this peace that goes passed our understanding.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Worry and fear are so prevalent today, they were in Jesus day too. In fact the Bible is filled with verses on peace, don’t fear, don’t be anxious. God gave us the instruction in advance. Plant peace!!

This last verse should be our sleeping pill each night – “When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, LORD, you keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 CEV

Peace, Peace, wonderful peace comes down from the Father above.

 

 

 

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It Is Well with My Soul

Peace of mind – tranquil thoughts – going to your happy place! Boy, generations have sought peace – inner peace as if it were some sort of illusive butterfly! This isn’t something that is unique to the American populous and it hasn’t just come since the industrial revolution; the prophet Isaiah talked about long before Christ was born.

Seems that every few weeks I share something that has to do with peace. I guess that’s because we are daily bombarded with situations that would try to steal our peace or get us to abandon it.

I know this from personal experience! Just yesterday I  had a show down with anxiety and worry. Dave and some dear friends reminded me to focus and God’s peace came flooding in.

There is only ONE place where we will find real and lasting peace. When we focus our thoughts and attentions on God and His love, His provision and His strength, we find peace.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV

There are some key words in this verse; keep, stayed, trusteth. Keep – to hold on too; to preserve; to value – God is the one who does the keeping. Stayed – fixed; focused on; established; single-minded – we are the ones who are responsible for the staying. Trust – to believe in; confidence; hope; assurance; intimate knowledge – we are also the ones who do the trusting. However, the trusting part comes easier the more we keep our minds stayed on the Lord.

Another translation puts it this way: “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. 4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” Isaiah 26:3-4 AMP

And still another: You will keep the mind that is dependent on You
in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. 4 Trust in the LORD forever,
because in Yah, the LORD, is an everlasting rock!” Isaiah 26:3-4 HOL

So I guess the long and short of it is this – is your mind at peace? Then you’re trusting God. Is your mind worried or in turmoil (like mine was yesterday) – then you’re not trusting God. It’s an easy thing to ascertain. The more you walk with God the easier it is to trust.

Maybe today you need to be like the man who wanted Jesus to heal his son. Jesus asked him if he believed and he answered “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” This father had so many years of “experience” with his son’s illness but He also knew that Jesus was able to do miracles so he CHOSE to KEEP his mind STAYED on what God could do.

There’s an old hymn that was written in 1873 by a Chicago businessman named Horatio Spafford. He had been  very successful in his business dealings and was widely respected. He had plans to travel with his family to England when last minute details required his attention.

He sent his wife and four daughters on ahead and told them he would join them shortly. While crossing the Atlantic their ship sank and most all the passengers were lost. When the survivors arrived in Wales he received a telegram from his wife, “Survived Alone”. His daughters were lost. He left immediately to join his wife and as the ship he was traveling on neared the place where his wife’s ship had sunk he penned these words.

“1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.”
(Refrain)

I have not faced anything that horrendous and I doubt that any of you have either. My heart’s cry is for that kind of peace each and every day and I will also be able to say confidently “It is well, with my soul”!

 

 

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Be Still

This morning as I sit here I am drawn to one phrase that keeps repeating in my heart. Be still.

 

I would like you to imagine, if you would, that you have a small child and it’s nap time. You put the little one to bed and tell them they need to lay down and rest. You come back a few minutes later and they are up playing with toys, far from obedience to your instruction. You pick them up, put them back to bed repeating the instruction, kiss their little head, lay them down and you leave.

 

Upon your return they are up once again, this time picking up the toys they had gotten out the first time and putting them all away. They are trying to be helpful but still they’re not obedient. Again you repeat the process and leave the room. Now the third time you return to see if they are resting and you find them sitting up in the middle of the bed, the corner of the blankie in their hand, twisting it in a worrisome manner. It only takes you a minute to realize that they are scared and need reassurance.

 

Another  big kiss on the forehead, a big hug, and tucked in – this time you turn on some soft music and you leave the room. When you return they are cuddled in and sleeping. Aww, so sweet! Resting at last.

 

Each one of us has been that little child. Sometimes we are disobedient and distracted with play; sometimes we are disobedient and trying to be helpful; we are often disobedient and worried but then there are the times that we are obedient and rest.

 

I just really sense that someone needs this message this morning – be still and know that I am God!

 

It’s not time to play or to help or to worry. It’s time to “be still” and rest in who God is.

“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:9-11

I know how hard it is to “be still” when there is a storm raging all around. It may be a physical storm or perhaps it’s financial, physical or emotional. A storm is a storm no matter what form it takes.  If we follow Jesus’ example we will be able to sleep through the storm.

“ Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!”  39 Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm. 40 He said to his followers, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 ERV

Yes, it’s time we are obedient. It’s time to rest, time to be still, time to trust God.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3and you refresh my life.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

 

 

 

 

 

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Victory Over Fear

Our news is filled with it again – wanton destruction of life! The non-understandable, the devastating and the heart wrenching!

There is only one way to truly get through situations like this and that is to trust in God. King David knew what it was like to live in a constant battle while King Saul pursued him with a vengeance. His life was threatened at every turn and this was his resolve.

“Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. 5 You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need.” Psalm 23:4-5 NLV

David knew that the job of a shepherd was to lead, protect and provide for his sheep. He made a very definitive statement at the beginning of this Psalm – The Lord is my shepherd. I will have everything I need.

In other words, God can be trusted. We cannot always see what He is doing for us but we can trust! Look at these words from Psalm 91.

“He will cover you with His wings. And under His wings you will be safe. He is faithful like a safe-covering and a strong wall.

5 You will not be afraid of trouble at night, or of the arrow that flies by day. 6 You will not be afraid of the sickness that walks in darkness, or of the trouble that destroys at noon. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand. But it will not come near you. 8 You will only look on with your eyes, and see how the sinful are punished. 9 Because you have made the Lord your safe place, and the Most High the place where you live, 10 nothing will hurt you. No trouble will come near your tent.

11 For He will tell His angels to care for you and keep you in all your ways. 12 They will hold you up in their hands. So your foot will not hit against a stone. 13 You will walk upon the lion and the snake. You will crush under your feet the young lion and the snake.

14 Because he has loved Me, I will bring him out of trouble. I will set him in a safe place on high, because he has known My name.” Psalm 91:4-14 NLV

God will keep us safe in troubled situations. He will bring us through. When fear comes we need to look to the One who is our protector and defender and trust!

“I can lie down to rest and know that I will wake up, because the Lord covers and protects me. 6 So I will not be afraid of my enemies, even if thousands of them surround me. “ Psalms 3:5-6 ERV

“I praise the Word of God. I praise the Word of the Lord. 11 In God I have put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I am under an agreement with You, O God. I will give You gifts of thanks.” Psalm 56:10-12 NLV

“See, God saves me. I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and song. And He has become the One Who saves me.” Isaiah 12:2 NLV

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.” Isaiah 41:10 NLV

The one thing we know about God is He cannot lie. So when He puts it in his word once that is sufficient but when He repeats something time and again it’s for our reassurance. He is trust worthy.

The night Jesus was betrayed he met with his apostles for the Passover meal and while there he started His last message to them in this way.

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.” John 14:1 CEV

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew Judas had committed to betrayal, he knew Peter would deny him, he knew all the disciples would flee. He was warning them of what was ahead. His words should be ringing in our ears today – Don’t worry, don’t be afraid, trust me!

Fear is the absence of faith. Faith is confidence in God’s word and His strength. Don’t let fear win!

“Be strong and have strength of heart. Do not be afraid or shake with fear because of them. For the Lord your God is the One Who goes with you. He will be faithful to you. He will not leave you alone.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLV

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Like a New Baby

This is how I spent most of my afternoon and evening yesterday. What a joy!

And no matter how hard I would try, I would never be able to count the number of those fine, tiny hairs on the top of Kristine’s head. Holding her in my arms, I watched her breathe, listened to her squeek, felt her wiggle and stretch

and was just totally amazed at the miracle of life.

Some days I feel unprepared, insecure and vulnerable just like a new baby and other days I feel like I have things handled and am as strong as Samson. But no matter what the circumstances of the day I have a promise from my heavenly Father.

“When birds are sold, two small birds cost only a penny. But not even one of those little birds can die without your Father knowing it. 30 God even knows how many hairs are on your head. 31 So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than a whole flock of birds.” Matthew 10:29-31 ERV

That promise is to all of us who are His children! Our Father is watching over us, just like I was watching Kristine and He tells us to “fear not” because we are dearly loved.

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Talk Too Much, Listen Too Little

Many times we talk too much and listen too little. We go on and on about our successes and complain about our failures; or we expound on our challenges and bemoan the routine and mundane. Let today’s verse be an admonition for all of us.

” Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

When we focus on the Father, when we are still, things seem to fall into a proper perspective and we find peace in the midst of a storm and reason to rejoice in the daily routine.

“God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.
3 Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.
4 A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High.
5 God is in that city, and it won’t be shaken. He will help it at dawn.
6 Nations rage! Kingdoms fall! But at the voice of God the earth itself melts.
7 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come! See the fearsome things the Lord has done on earth.
9 God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows,
shatters the spears, and burns the shields.
10 Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.”
11 The Lord All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46 CEV

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Overslept

I overslept this morning. For some, my statement makes them chuckle because they know me as one of their early rising friends. But really I slept until 5:15 – not a common occurence. I so enjoy my morning quiet with the Lord, watching the sun come up, hearing the birds start their morning songs and having my coffee and time with all of you.

So since I overslept it seems only appropriate that I share what God’s word has to say about rest and sleep.

The practicality of the God of Word is ingenious! Large or small there is no problem that it doesn’t address.

“There are some who ask, “Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, LORD, shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness than a rich harvest
of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down and sleep soundly
because you, LORD, will keep me safe.” Psalm 4:6-8 ERV

In the King James, verse 8 says that “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” …lay down in peace and dwell in safety – that will give you a good night’s sleep.

This goes along with a verse in Isaiah that tells us how to live in peace – stress free, free of anxiety and fear.

“The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.
4 So always trust the LORD because he is forever
our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

When we keep God and His Word as the center of our focus we will be in perfect peace and we will rest and sleep in safety.

Here’s to a day of peace and rest!

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