Peace

November 17th – Revelation 14:6

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Revelation14:6

I am thankful Thant God gives everyone an opportunity to receive the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ 

One of the most loving things God does is not give up on us. For He is the God of second, third, and fourth chances. So much so, He gives us ample opportunity to hear and receive the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. You’d think after the rapture, when believers are taken from the earth, God would say, “That’s it. You had a chance. Now suffer the consequences.” But our Heavenly Father wishes for none to perish. And so even during the tribulation, God sends an angel to proclaim the Good News. Everyone on the earth will hear the only message that provides eternal life. Because of His great love, God gives every person one last opportunity to choose life over death. To turn to the Lord and experience a peace, joy, and perfect love for eternity. Afterwards, there will be no more excuses other than a hardened heart. But sadly, because they love sin more than God, some will still reject the gospel, choosing death and destruction.

November 17th – Revelation 14:6 Read More »

November 10th – John 1:14

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John 1:14

I’m thankful Jesus left His heavenly throne to become man

From the beginning it was God’s plan to establish a way for us to fellowship with Him forever.  And so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, “The Word of Life” in the flesh. As God’s Son, Jesus is heir to everything. (Heb.1:2) Yet in a perfect display of humility and obedience, Jesus became a man, and for a little while becoming, “lower than the angels…because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9) Christ willingly left His glorious throne in heaven and became human. He did this out His great love for both us and the Father. And to save us, He had to become one of us. The consequence of sin is death. But Christ in His beautiful love, became our substitute paying the sin debt we owe and giving His sinless life for our sin filled ones. And through His blood we now can have an intimate, unbreakable relationship with God.

November 10th – John 1:14 Read More »

October 25th – Philippians 4:7

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Philippians 4:7

God’s promise- “My great peace will guard your heart and thoughts in Jesus.”

Anxiety and worry go hand in hand with life. And unfortunately some people get so used to being surrounded by stress and drama, without it they feel incomplete. Sadder still, some even thrive on it. But that’s no way for Christians to live. Because God wants to fill every area of our hearts, minds, and lives with His perfect peace. So how do we receive God’s peace? First we need to believe in our minds that God is the Author of peace. Next we need to believe He will overflow us with that peace. And we do that by following Paul’s example of prayers and thanksgivings. How do we learn to pray and give thanks? By spending time in God’s Word, and applying His promises to our lives. For as we grow in our understanding of the overwhelming love our Heavenly Father has for His children, our minds can find the peace they so desperately crave. And our hearts can’t help but burst with thankfulness for all God is and does.

October 25th – Philippians 4:7 Read More »

October 22nd – Psalm 29:11

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Psalm 29:11

God’s Promise – “I will give you My strength and bless you with My peace.”

In todays climate everyone is over stressed, anxiety filled, and fearful for the future. That’s why we could all use a heaping dose of strength and peace. Life is difficult enough without trying to navigate it alone. My heart aches for those who do not know Christ as their Savior. For they have only themselves to rely on. Only themselves to turn to for comfort, guidance, and security. But thankfully as Christians, we can take refuge in the Lord. For He will never forsake nor disappoint us. Instead the Lord takes our weakness, and gives us His strength. A strength that can overcome any storm and win every battle. And the peace He offers, supersedes even the greatest deluge. For He is our eye in the hurricane. And when we stay centered in the Lord, no lightening bolt, thunder clap, or howling wind, can shake the perfect peace found in the Lord alone!

October 22nd – Psalm 29:11 Read More »

September 23rd – Psalm 61:2

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Psalm 61:2

Many times my heart has felt faint, consumed by discouragement and fear. And it’s during those times when praying and drawing nearer to God is a necessity. Because the Lord is our “higher Rock”, our unshakable foundation that will never fail. No matter what is going on in this fallen world, God goes before us and makes our paths straight.  Deut. 33:26 reminds us that, “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Satan loves to fill our minds with “what if” scenarios that all result in defeat. But God promises those who trust in Him and not the world, can live in peace and joy. King David who was protected by a mighty army knew better then to place his security in chariots and soldiers.  He understood that it was only God who could lead him to victory!

September 23rd – Psalm 61:2 Read More »

September 3rd – 1 Peter 5:7

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1 Peter 5:7

I didn’t grow up in a safe and loving environment. As a result, trust and surrender were very foreign to me. And the idea of handing over control of my life was petrifying. But that’s just what God commands us to do. He calls us to trust in Him, and His love. To believe that He only wants the very best for us, and has the ability to take care of our every need. I used to be so very tired. Tired from carrying all of my burdens, worries, and fear. Tired of feeling helpless, defeated, and wounded. But through Jesus’ redemptive love I can find peace and joy. And the freedom that comes from laying down my pain, fear, and worries at the feet of our Savior, swells my heart to the point of bursting. Although it’s a constant fight, each day I strive to trust in and walk closer with God. And He’s never failed me yet. So with peace and conviction, I can pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

September 3rd – 1 Peter 5:7 Read More »

June 13th – Psalm 4:8

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Psalm 4:8

Experts recommend getting 7-9 hours of sleep a day. Yet for many a good nights sleep is an elusive goal. So no wonder a reported 9 million Americans take prescription drugs to help them fall asleep. And 50 to 70 million people in America suffer from one or several sleep disorders. David had many reasons to lay awake at night in worry. Yet because of his faith in God to protect and see him through his troubles, Israel’s king slept like a baby. And look at Peter. Facing certain death in the morning, you’d think he would have spent the night pacing his cell. But instead he slept so soundly, the angel sent by God to rescue Peter had to strike him in his side to awaken him. We all can experience that kind of peace and deep, restorative sleep. If we do like David and Peter, and turn over all our cares to God. For He promises peace. A peace “which surpasses all understanding,” and one which “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

June 13th – Psalm 4:8 Read More »

June 3rd – John 14:27

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John 14:27

I wish I could tell you there was a magic pill, a fool proof therapy, or a sure fire yoga pose to combat fear and anxiety. But there’s not. Because nothing this world offers can truly ease our weary hearts. No, the true soul resting peace that we crave only comes from the Lord. I myself struggle with PTSD stemming from a childhood tragedy. And some days the battle for peace seems impossible to win. But because of my relationship with Jesus Christ, I don’t fight it alone. It’s a war I wage together with Him. The moment I feel the fear start to creep in, I cry out to my Lord. I share with Him every thought and feeling. And I remember His promise that tells me if my fears never come to pass, or if my greatest dread is realized, Jesus is there. And my heart need never be troubled or afraid.

June 3rd – John 14:27 Read More »

May 11th – Romans 15:13

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Romans 15:13

I love how Paul refers to our heavenly Father as the God of hope. Because hope, joy, and peace, aren’t things we wish for just around the holidays. As a Christian, God wants everyday to be filled with the hope, joy, and peace that He alone provides. Each day through the power of His Spirit dwelling inside us, can be a good one no matter the circumstance. Our spirits fill with hope knowing that God wants only the best for us. And He always fulfills His promises. We have hearts that overflow with joy from the great love God has for us. A love shown in the daily blessings we receive. And we can rest in perfect peace when we see God as our refuge. Because when we make Him our safe place, we are tucked safely under the wings of the Creator of the universe!

 

 

 

 

 

May 11th – Romans 15:13 Read More »

March 21st – Philippians 4:6-7

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Philippians 4:6-7

The faith and love of the Lord exhibited by Paul never ceases to amaze me. No matter if he endured beatings, persecution, imprisonment, or a shipwreck, he never gave up. Nor did he give in to anxiety or despair. Does it mean he didn’t have those feelings, even for a brief minute? Of course not. For Paul, like us, always battled his human nature. But because of his close, personal, relationship with God, Paul experienced a peace beyond human understanding. And we can too.

Anxiety and worry go hand in hand with life. Especially as the days grow darker. But that doesn’t mean we have to stay trapped in the swirling cyclone of turmoil. We have a choice. But unfortunately some people get so used to being surrounded by anxiety and drama, without it they feel incomplete. And sadder still, some even thrive on it. But that’s no way for Christians to live. Because God wants to fill every area of our hearts, minds, and lives, with His perfect peace.

First we need to believe in our minds that God is the Author of peace. Next we need to believe in our hearts that He will overflow us with that peace. And we do that by following Paul’s example of prayers and thanksgivings. How do we learn to pray and give thanks? By spending time in God’s Word, and applying His promises to our lives. For as we grow in our understanding of the overwhelming love our Heavenly Father has for His children, our minds can find the peace they so desperately crave. And our hearts can’t help but burst with thankfulness for all God is and does.

As long we the earth is our home, we will encounter situations that will test our faith, and attempt to rattle our peace. But remembering that nothing happens without God’s say so, and He uses all things for our good, gives us a peace that transcends human understanding. I love the analogy of living in peace being like the petals of a flower unfolding in the morning sunlight. Our petals of peace open as we learn more about God. And as we soak in the sunshine of His perfect love, our petals blossom in His warmth and goodness.

March 21st – Philippians 4:6-7 Read More »