Tag: PeaceofGod

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Hope, Joy, Peace

I was looking for an image to use for this morning’s blog. When I did a search for hope, joy, and peace most of the results were images of Christmas cards. I thought that was interesting.

Is that the only time the world stops to think about these words which are so interconnected in Scripture?

We live in a society that is hurting. Without hope there is no joy or peace. This isn’t a seasonal message, it’s a message we should be living on a daily basis. But once again we can only give what we possess – if our hearts are filled with anxiety, fear, self-preservation and desperation we have nothing to give.

“ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

When we embrace the promises of God and place our trust in His unconditional love His joy and peace will fill us and we will overflow with His hope.

“Remember that in the past you were without Christ… you did not know about the agreements with the promises that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God. 13 Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ. 14 Christ is the reason we are now at peace.” Ephesians 2:12-14 ERV

Years ago, there was an evangelist by the name of Oral Roberts. Many, in Christian circles, were skeptical of his message. You see, he preached hope and the goodness of God. He preached the Gospel, the good news.

He would say to those who came to the stadiums and those who watched him on television “something good is going to happen to you today”. He believed it wholeheartedly and he brought this message of hope to everyone he could.

“‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.'” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Something good. Something to hope for. Something to fill us with joy and peace.

These are the words Jesus quoted from the book of Isaiah about Himself.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor. He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.
He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.” Luke 4:18-19 ERV

My prayer for each of us is that we are filled with hope, joy and peace and that we carry that to those in our sphere of influence, not just at Christmas but all year through.

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Good News!

Welcome to March. I hope you found some seeds of hope and peace to plant in your heart’s garden yesterday.

“ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 NLT

God’s word is powerful! It is created to bring results of peace, joy, strength, forgiveness, healing, grace, and unconditional love. It represents the very heart of God to us, His children.

“The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:10-12 NLV

God’s word is our good news, it brings joy and peace.

The last week or so I have been praying for several dear friends. The news they have received about circumstances in their lives has been less than encouraging. Fear has tried to get a foothold and replace their peace. That’s not from God.

“He will not be afraid of bad news. His heart is strong because he trusts in the Lord. 8 His heart will not be shaken. He will not be afraid and will watch those lose who fight against him.” Psalm 112:7-8 NLV

“Whom have I in heaven but You? I want nothing more on earth, but You. My body and my heart may grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart and all I need forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 NLV

“ We have a great Religious Leader Who has made the way for man to go to God. He is Jesus, the Son of God, Who has gone to heaven to be with God. Let us keep our trust in Jesus Christ. 15 Our Religious Leader understands how weak we are. Christ was tempted in every way we are tempted, but He did not sin. 16 Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NLV

There is nothing, NOTHING, that we can’t trust the Lord with. He promises to be our help whenever we need it, to strengthen our hearts, and to replace fear with peace.

Is it easy? No. It requires discipline, we need to stay focused on the promises of our Father instead of the bad report.

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also” John 14:1 NLV

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

Fear isn’t from God. Let the Good News of God’s word be your source of strength, your hope and your confidence. God is your help – He’s got this.

Good News!

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In the Storm

Peace. Simply put: to be at rest. Some see it as the absence of confict but I want to show you that we can be at peace in the midst of a storm.

I’ve been reading in Luke for over a month now but the last few days I have been reading about the final days of Jesus life. He was celebrating the Feast of the Passover with his disciples. He told them that the broken bread and the wine represented what was about to happen to Him. He told them He would be betrayed.

Do you know their reaction? They began arguing about which one of them would do such a thing and then they began to argue about which one of them was the most important to Jesus.

Oh, my goodness!!! If I had been Jesus I would have left them all. But instead, Jesus began telling them that He was praying for them and gave them instruction on how to live once he was gone.

He took them to the garden where He went to pray. He told them they needed to pray so that they could remain strong. Jesus then withdrew, going a little farther and prayed for Himself. He knew what was about to happen.

In His humanity, He didn’t want to face the cross and the horrible death of crucifixion but in His divinity, He knew he was the only one who could be the sinless sacrifice. Only He could be the one to redeem us all and reconcile us to the Father.

“He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:2 NLT

He went through great conflict and turmoil in battling His mind and emotions but came to peace, He was resolved in His spirit!

When Judas betrayed Him with a kiss there was no ridicule or retaliation, when the soldiers were placing him under arrest there was no fight. He was at peace!

Jesus was living the words He spoke to the disciples hours earlier.

“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 ERV

The Apostle Paul tells us this:

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Are you in the middle of a storm today – do you feel like you’re about to be crucified? Perhaps you’ve received an adverse medical report or it could be your company is planning massive layoffs and your future is uncertain. Whatever you are facing rely on the kind of peace that only God can give.

In the midst of the storm, don’t be troubled, don’t be afraid; let the peace of God control the way you think and feel.

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Don’t Miss the Small Things

I wonder how many small, life affirming moments I missed yesterday because I was busy. I realize I used to do that with my morning Bible reading, I’d skip over the little things looking for some great spiritual revelation.

“We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.” Colossians 1:2 NLT

We read or see things so often that they lose their impact.

This verse is like many others that are the opening salutation in Paul’s writings to each of the churches he was instructing. Often those opening remarks are skipped to get to the heart of his teaching. But this is the heart of his teaching.

Our heavenly Father gives us grace and peace. He wants us to know that right from the beginning.

Grace and Peace.

Those two words are the summary of the Gospel. The Gospel is good news. What better news can we focus on than that of grace and peace.

Grace: unmerited favor. God giving us something wonderful that we are unable to earn. That something is a relationship with Him – being welcomed in His presence no matter the time day or night. Twenty-four hour access to the throne room of God.

“ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 NLT

Our Father doesn’t want us struggling on our own. His message of “Peace on earth, good will to all men” proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds was His message of grace and peace.

Peace: soul rest. When everything is tumultuous and chaotic, we have the Father’s promise of peace.

Paul and Silas had been beaten and were imprisoned but they had such a sense of peace they were able to sing at midnight. Paul knew God’s promise of peace. Jesus was beaten and hung on a cross but in that moment, He had the peace of mind to say “Father, forgive them – they don’t realize what they are doing”.

This is the kind of peace God has promised us.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT

The Prince of Peace, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, tells us that our peace in every situation is found in Him. The world will have trouble, but He promises peace.

“Now may the God of peace…— 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT

Our Father, the God of peace, will equip us with everything we need, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.

Don’t miss the small things – grace and peace aren’t just words that start every letter like “hello, how are you”. No, they start and end those letters with the same proclamation issued by heaven’s chorus.

Those words are a declaration of independence from worry. They are a mandate from God’s heart to ours!

Don’t miss the message.

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Sweet Peace

I think one of the most peaceful things I’ve ever seen is a sleeping baby. I don’t know how many times I have stood at cribs edge and watched my children and my grandchildren.

Not a care in the world. Total surrender. Immersed in peace.

Before they know the meaning of words, they know peace. That’s how our heavenly Father wants us to be.

“Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 NLV

God never intended for us to carry the cares of the world on our shoulders. In fact, the verse that precedes this one is as follows:

“So put away all pride from yourselves. You are standing under the powerful hand of God. At the right time He will lift you up.” I Peter 5:6 NLV

Pride is a peace robber. Pride convinces us that we should be able to “handle this on my own”. Pride whispers, or shouts, “what will people think if you ask for help”. But with the absence of pride comes peace.

Peace to know that the powerful hand of God is working on our behalf. He will lift us up when we stumble and fall. He will lift the burden of the world’s cares from our shoulders. He will carry the load and we will be able to rest in peace.

“ I will lie down and sleep in peace. O Lord, You alone keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 NLV

I was curious so I did a word search on peace. In the King James version of the Bible the word peace is used 420 times; in the NLV (New Life version) it’s used 381 times. Peace is a core teaching of God’s word.

One of the biggest attacks on my peace is the temptation to worry over my children and grandchildren, the ones I love most. They have faced some herculean obstacles. The Holy Spirit has always been there to provide me with peace and calm assurance.

“And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
18 My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest.” Isaiah 32:17-18 NLT

“He will not be afraid of bad news. His heart is strong because he trusts in the Lord. 8 His heart will not be shaken. He will not be afraid and will watch those lose who fight against him. ” Psalm 112:7-8 NLV

Calm assurance is a state of being. I love the wording of the verses above. It’s a quietness, confidence, a heart that will not be shaken. That’s peace.

“I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.” Isaiah 54:13 NLT

Each day I pray for the peace of my children and grandchildren. I pray that in every situation they will experience the peace of God which bypasses their natural understanding. I pray that in their smallest moments and in the largest challenges they will see God’s hand protecting them and bringing them peace.

As we close, let’s turn our thoughts back to that sleeping baby. We are God’s children, He wants us to be at peace, He will handle our cares and give us sweet peace!

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Peace of Mind

That was the message of the night when Christ was born. “Peace on earth, good will toward men”.

But what kind of peace? There was and has been unrest and wars, divisions between nations and people. Was God wrong to have the angels proclaim peace? Not hardly!

The peace that Christ brought to earth was a peace between God, the Father, and all mankind.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19 ERV

What an amazingly, wonderful gift! Peace with God; God’s goodwill being poured out on us. It’s a heart peace, a freedom from worry. A mindset that God loves me, and I can trust Him with my life. I can trust Him to want good for me, I can trust Him to protect me. I can trust Him to give me peace.

“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.

8 Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9 ERV

God’s peace will stand guard over ALL my thoughts – imagine that. Every thought guarded by peace!

I’ve heard it said that the war or battlefield we face as Christians is the one in our mind. I agree with that. Fear starts in our thoughts – the “what if’s”. What if I get cancer, lose my job, my kids rebel, my spouse leaves, I’m injured or killed? What if?

“We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:5 NLV

Replace the what ifs with things that are good, worthy of praise, true, honest, pure and lovely. This is why it is so important to have our hearts and minds filled with God’s word. The word of God is the sword that helps us fight the battle in our own imaginations.

God’s word has promised us protection, provision, a life of peace. We need to appropriate those promises.

The peace that the Father promised didn’t come in a big box wrapped with a beautiful bow, no. It was delivered on a normal night, in a small town, wrapped in strips of cloth and put in a feed trough. His name was Prince of Peace and He comes to all who will receive Him.

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Wrapped in Peace

Last night Dave grabbed my phone and captured this beautiful end to a raining afternoon. I didn’t see the shots he took until this morning. They brought a smile to my face and a sense of peace to my heart.

The image made me wonder how many skies like this Peter saw on the Sea of Galilee and many times Jesus looked up at the end of a long day and saw the rays of the sun shining through the clouds?

Peter would see the clouds and think like a fisherman. He would be focused on the natural while Jesus was about His Father’s business and the lives that needed to be changed.

I don’t know Peter’s thoughts or concerns, but I do know that Jesus was always intent on doing what the Father had sent him to do, to serve mankind and tell them (us) of the Father’s love.

He would draw away from his disciples in the evening and then again in the early morning hours to pray. He was always aware of the Father’s presence, and He was wrapped in the peace that only comes from above.

One particular night Jesus had sent his disciples off in a boat and He stayed by himself to pray.

“At once, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. 23 Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later in the evening, he was still there.

24 By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. 25 A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. 26 When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

27 At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:22-27 CEV

The disciples had seen miracles that day but out in the boat the miracles and power of God had been forgotten. They were focused on their desperate situation and fear had set in. Jesus spoke words of protection and peace.

Don’t be afraid!

Peter was emboldened by Jesus’ presence and said, “Lord if it’s you let me walk on the water too”. Jesus said, “Come on”. Peter stepped out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus but then he looked at the waves and felt the wind. He was no longer trusting in the one who said “Come” and he began to sink.

Jesus took him by the hand and they joined the other disciples in the boat. Peace was restored.

How many times do we start out on a course that God has designed for us and become frightened by the circumstances around us?

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Take your worries and concerns to the Father in prayer. Our Father who fills the sky with His beauty will wrap you in His peace!

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Wrapped in Warmth

When I was praying this morning, I wrote these words: “Let me wear Your compassion like a cape and willingly wrap all who need the warmth of Your love”.

It’s a chilly morning, lots of moisture in the air from yesterday’s rain and although I’m wrapped in my fleece blanket, I was thinking about my warm cape that I usually wear in winter. There’s more than enough yardage to wrap around myself and my grandchildren. It’s perfect for snuggling.

That cape serves to keep me warm and it is an example of how the Father wraps us in the warmth of His compassion.

“The Lord is kind and merciful, patient and full of love. 9 The Lord is good to everyone.
 He shows his mercy to everything he made. 10 Lord, all you have made will give thanks to you. Your loyal followers will praise you. 11 They will tell how great your kingdom is. They will tell how great you are…The Lord can be trusted in all that he says.  He is loyal in all that he does. 14 The Lord lifts up people who have fallen.  He helps those who are in trouble. 15 All living things look to you for their food, and you give them their food at the right time. 16 You open your hands and give every living thing all that it needs. 17 Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is. 18 The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help. 19 He listens to his followers and does what they want. He answers their prayers and saves them. 20 The Lord protects everyone who loves him, but he destroys all who do evil. 21 I will praise the Lord! Let everyone praise his holy name forever and ever!” Psalm 145:8-21 ERV

These verses are some of my “every day” read. “The Lord is kind and merciful, patient and full of love.”

Daily He reaches out to us. Daily He wraps us in His love. Daily He listens to our prayers. Daily He protects us. Daily I will praise Him!

Maybe you are feeling a bit of a chill this morning, maybe you are feeling cold and indifferent. The Lord can be trusted, He lifts us the fallen and everything He does is good.

Take a few minutes to tell Him your heart and let Him wrap you in the warmth of His love.

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Guard Your Thoughts

Do you ever daydream? You know what I’m talking about – you’re alone with your thoughts planning for something special, going over the details and then out of the blue a disturbing thought enters in.

It’s some thought that wants to take you in a wrong direction – it can be unnerving and even make you fearful.

How do you counter that?

“ My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. 21 Don’t let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. 22 These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. 23 Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 ERV

Be careful how you think…

Good advice from a very wise man, Solomon. Now here are some words from Solomon’s father, King David.

“May my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:14 ERV

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made.
2 Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power.” Psalm 19:1-2 ERV

These verses are from the same chapter – one from the beginning of the Psalm and the other is the last. King David tells us how to keep our thoughts centered – we stay focused on the glory of God and His power at the beginning and ending of each day, our thoughts will please our Father.

When troubling thoughts come, and they will, we counter them with God’s promises. especially those verses that counter fear.

“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 4:7 ERV

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT

I find such peace in the beauty of the morning sunrise and the evening sunset. They are a constant reminder to me of God’s power and provision. For all of time past, there has never been a day that there wasn’t a sunrise or a sunset. Since God keeps all of nature on its course, He surely has established a plan for my well-being. I can trust Him!

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

Father, I keep my mind fixed on You and Your good plan for me. Your peace will stand guard over my thoughts. I trust you!

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Singing Before Dawn

This morning I slept a little longer than normal. How did I know? I was awaken by the birds singing in the pines just before dawn.

Normally I’m up and have had my first cup of coffee before they start their chorus. It’s a glorious way to start the day.

Listen…Stop right now and listen for 10 seconds…If you’re anything like me you’re morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot and the hum of the computer. But it hasn’t always been that way.

I remember what it’s like to wake to the alarm clock. Have kids that need to get up, be fed and taken to school on my way to the office in the busy traffic. Radio’s playing, tv spilling the morning news, emails to read, FB to check in on – so much noise.

When you stopped to listen did you hear the voice of God?

I love that when I wake up each morning I say “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I can hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“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

Folks spend much of their time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and miss the simple, still small voice of God trying to lead them and give them insight.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing”? We often don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us.

Elijah was looking for God’s answers during a very serious time in his life. He was seeking God and there came a great wind and then an earthquake and then a fire and finally a still small voice. God spoke in a still small voice!

“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” I Kings 19:11-12

The song of the birds is my morning reminder, the still small voice, as it were that God has the day in order. The birds wake singing praise to God for His provision.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

The most important thing you’ll hear each morning, if you listen, will be the still small voice of the Lord. Sssssh – just listen!

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