Tag: peace

Peace through His Omnipotent Power

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This Second Sunday of Advent we light the purple candle of Peace. The peace here is the peace we have in Jesus. Jesus’ coming brought peace to the world and to each of us as believers. The attribute for today is Omnipotent. Only God in His great power could bring peace to the world and reconcile mankind to himself. God is all powerful meaning his power, authority and influence are unlimited. God is the source of life, energy, power and hope. All things would fall apart without God’s power. Nothing can stop God and evil and death will not win!

Only God could have brought about bringing His Son to earth with a mission to redeem us. Job reminds us in Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” The passage in John 3:16-18 is very familiar and reminds us of why God sent His Son on this mission, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

So this second Sunday of Advent as we light the Peace Candle, do you have the peace of Jesus in your heart? John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Will you take His peace today and place your trust in our Omnipotent God? Remembering Matthew 19:25-26“ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, , “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” and Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Revel in the God of peace today and the one who came to reconcile us to the Father and bless us with His peace! Salvation in Jesus brings PEACE!

Linda

God Controls Peace- Rest in Him

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Today’s verse about the Lord finding delight in man gives me hope in the character of man. Proverbs 16:7

“When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

When I first read this I focused on the peace that comes from pleasing God. Then I realized that when God is pleased with my behavior, He can and does make even my enemies be at peace with me. This is about God and His knowing my behavior and making others around me to cause peace to happen with me. Does this come as a surprise to you that God can cause others to be peaceful? Jesus told us in John 14:27 “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” His peace is not regular peace, but peace that will allow us to live for him and be unafraid! We have a lot of evidence that God can and does cause things to happen. He brought the world into being, he created man and woman, he caused there to be a way to reconcile us to Him and so much more. God is a mover and a shaker and His will cannot be thwarted. Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

Since we know this about God, why not focus on what God wants us to do and leave the world, its problems of unpeaceful-Ness to Him. In Titus we find and admonition for good behavior because we know Christ and want to please Him as we wait for His return. Titus 2:11-13 “ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” Because we have Christ within us, we are empowered to live for Him.

Let the turmoil of this world be left to the world and focus on living an upright, spirit-filled life for Jesus. God promises that He will cause our enemies to be at peace with us. Trust Him for the future as He knows how it will end and He wins!

Linda

Peace-filled Living, Possible for you and me!

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In light of recent events, I begin to question whether or not living peacefully with others is at all possible. Peace seems like such an illusive thing.  Some days I revel in it and some days it seems out of my reach.   What we can be assured of is that peace is ours through Christ and is always attainable.  Jesus said in John 14:27 “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.”  The peace Jesus gives is not worldly calm and freedom from activity, but a peace with God that will satisfy our souls.  It is the peace the pervades us even when the world is swirling around us.  Paul describes this peace in Romans 5:1-2  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”   Paul assures us that the peace we have though Christ brings us into relationship with God and is filled with His grace and purposefully holds us no matter what else is happening in our lives.

Believing that Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace in Christ. He promises that His peace is ours for the taking. Why do we struggle with it so much?  I think it is because of the pull of the world on our lives and the loss of focus and faith in the power of our God.  We are free in Christ from the power of sin over our lives but we live in a sinful world.  The effects of sin on us and our lives is unavoidable.  Staying above this and living in peace takes work- unwavering faith, prayer, diligence to stay in the Word and fellowship with other believers.  Are you getting a dose of each of these in your life each day or week?  Summer is a good time to renew commitments and take time to pray, read God’s Word, memorize a verse or two and have fellowship with other believers.  It is good for your soul and will bring you peace!

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Thankful for the power of peace in Christ,

Linda

Seek Jesus’ Peace, Ask and He will Deliver!

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Jesus gave us a very precious promise in John 14:27. It is only one verse but packs complete hope and peace in a world filled with turmoil. Jesus knew the disciples would need these promises in the days ahead and so do we!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.“

Promise: Jesus promises His peace that will keep us from worry and fear.

On those beauty pageant shows they would always ask the candidate what they wanted. So many said ‘world peace.’ Peace is always desired by people but it is something no amount of money can buy. No person can purchase it for you or give it to you. Only Jesus could promise His peace that transcends this world and is heavenly in nature. His peace will keep us from being troubled or fearful. Since we are often troubled or fearful, how do we access this peace? Jesus said he gives it to us. That would suggest that we need to ask Him for it when we are in need. Knowing that His peace is available for the asking, we need to prepare our hearts and minds to receive it. Being anxious or occupied with the world will keep us from getting His peace 100%. Focus, mindset and and open attitude are essential to receiving His blessing of peace.

What we know from this verse: Jesus promises me peace, Jesus gives peace, His peace brings calmness of spirit that dispels worry and fear.

Lenten Reflections: Are you pushing peace away by craving the world? Do you seek peace and ask God for it?

When I am frazzled and wanting some peace, I need to stop and think about Jesus, ask Him to intervene and give me His peace. He will. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace in the midst of the storms of life. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Related verses: John 16:33, Romans 8:6, Philippians 4:7 and 4:9, Psalm 34:14.

Need a Plan for Peace- Try Prayer

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I love the promise for today. It is so meaningful and uplifting to me and is filled with God’s assurance and love. Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Promise: God promises that prayer will relieve anxiety and bring His peace that guards both our hearts and our minds in Christ.

These verses lay out a plan for relief from the anxieties that plague our lives and gives us a plan of action. When I’m feeling worried or stressed, the best way to get my mind off of the problem is to be busy doing something. God knows this and gives us a plan for doing here which is to be praying with a thankful heart. We are to tell him about our problems and desires and leave these with Him. The result will be His peace and protection through the work of the Holy Spirit within our lives. Being thankful reminds us of who is in control and who is sovereign in all circumstances. Leaving our worries at Jesus’ feet reminds us of His great power and omniscience. We serve a sovereign Lord that cares for us and wants us to live a life free from anxiety and have a heart that is focused on Him. His peace both guards our hearts and our minds and frees us. The fears of worries are enslaving and He wants us free to serve Him. The resulting freedom = peace from God.

What we can know from these verses: God hears and answers our prayers, my heart attitude and mindset are important when talking with God, God desires peace for me, God’s peace is beyond imagining, a heavenly place of mind, God’s peace is internal and can happen even when life seems in turmoil.

Lenten reflections: Where am I needing God’s peace in my life? What worries or anxieties can I relinquish to God today in exchange for His peace?

Just reading these verses seems to calm my mind and heart when I’m in turmoil. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have peace of mind and heart through Jesus.

Linda

Related verses: Isaiah 26:3-4, Isaiah 48:17-18, John 14:26-27, Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 7:25.

Peace and Strength, Available from God

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What do you do when you are troubled? How do you find assurance and peace? In our chaotic world with wars, rumors of wars, famine, geopolitics and unsettling circumstances all around us, there seems to be no place with or for peace. David lived in such a time as he was pursued by his enemy King Saul for 10+ years. Saul was jealous of David and wanted him gone! David found peace in the assurances of the Lord and comfort from God’s faithful promise that he would be king. God held his future, and David leaned into and depended upon God.

Psalm 29:10-11 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
    The Lord reigns as king forever.
11 The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Promise: God promises strength and peace to His people.

David knew that God was sovereign and in control of the world around him. He trusted him for his future and the circumstances of his life. He took God at his word that he would provide the strength David needed to face and oppose Saul, lead his people and fight the battles before him. What about your strength? Do you seem to run out of strength to face the hard things in your life? Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:19 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Christ is the source of all strength and He will provide. In Isaiah 40:29 God assures us, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” God is the source of all strength and it is to be ours through Jesus who gives us the strength we need. We need to ask Him for His strength when we are feeling weak. He will provide what we need to meet the challenges we face.

David also took God at his word and relied upon Him for peace. Not peace from his enemies, but internal peace knowing that all was in God’s hands and under His control. Do you know that peace? It transcends our world and is from within. Jesus spoke of this peace in John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Jesus knew we are prone to worry and would struggle with the circumstances of our lives. He did not want us to live in turmoil or to be afraid! Jesus wanted us to see his peace as a blessing to our lives. It is a blessing that provides hope and assurance and rest in Him.

What we can know from these verses: God our source of strength, God’s peace is a blessing to us when we receive it, God cares about me, God wants me to be secure and resting in His peace.

Lenten reflections: How am I doing at accepting and reflecting God’s peace in my life? Is He winning or am I succumbing to the pressures and worries of the world? Have I asked God to give me strength instead of trying to do all things on my own?

I pray that you will look to Jesus as the source of your strength and peace. He had promised to provide them both. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust Him to provide peace and strength in my life as He has promised!

Related verses: Isaiah 40:29, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 4:17, John 14:27, Jon 16:33, Romans 5:1, Psalm 102:27-28, Psalm 62:1-2.

Linda

Here is the entire Psalm 29. Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
    honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
    Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
    The God of glory thunders.
    The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
    the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;
    he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
    with bolts of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
    and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
    The Lord reigns as king forever.
11 The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Advent Day 16, The Perfect Defense

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Today’s Advent passage comes from Ephesians 6:10-17. Paul advises us as believers to be ready by putting on God’s armor as it will help us stand when things get hard, when we are under attack from the evil one, or when we feel weak and unfocused in our faith. Do any of those conditions describe how you are feeling this holiday season? Are you going through tough times? Is money in short supply? Do you have relatives that take pleasure in making fun of your faith? Are you doubting God’s power to overcome or your ability to hang in there with God? Paul is writing just for you.

Ephesians 6:10-12 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Before telling us about the specific pieces of armor God provides for those who believe in Him, Paul gives his general reasons for putting it on. 1) From the beginning Paul reminds us that God’s armor works because it is given infused with His mighty power! 2) God’s armor will help us be strong in Him. 3) His armor will help us stand firmly rooted in faith against Satan’s attacks. 4)The forces coming against us are unseen, other worldly, not tangible so we need God’s special armor to be able to stand and fight victoriously.

God realizes that standing firmly against Satan and his minions will take His power within us. We cannot do it alone. He has designed special armor for believers to wear so that we can stand protected in His power. We need to know that God goes before us and also has our backs! “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;  your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:16

Paul continues in the passage to explain the separate pieces of armor and what they can do to help us in our struggles. The end result of wearing God’s armor is victory in Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13-17  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Belt of Truth- Jesus is the truth that holds us up and supports us. John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Breast plate or Body armor infused with God’s righteousness – provided for us in Jesus. Romans 3:22 “ the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.“

Shoes for delivering the gospel of peace- the good news of the gospel brings peace. Acts 10:36 “As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),“

Shield of faith to stop the flaming arrows of Satan– our faith is our defense in Jesus. Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Helmet of Salvation- our salvation in Jesus protects our thoughts, minds and deeds from Satan’s’ grasp. 1Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”

Sword– which is God’s Word- our defensive weapon is the best ever. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Being prepared to meet the challenges of faith is necessary to thwart Satan and his devious tactics. With Jesus, our Savior, by our side we can and will defeat the enemy. Jesus will be returning as the conqueror. I love Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Remember Jesus- his strength, his power and love as you navigate this season of Advent.

Linda

Second Sunday of Advent, day 8, Peace to You!

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The candle for the second Sunday of Advent represents peace and is often called the “Bethlehem Candle” as it symbolizes Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem in anticipation of Jesus’ birth; it is usually purple in color. The scripture for today comes from Isaiah 40. This is a wonderful chapter and verses 1-5 speak of the coming Messiah. Not only do the words compel us to look to the coming Messiah, but you might hear the familiar sounds of Handel’s Messiah ringing in your ears.

“Comfort, comfort my people,”
    says your God.
2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone
    and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over
    for all her sins.” Joy is in the offing with the coming Messiah, sins will be pardoned!

Jesus came to reconcile us to God. This is something we cannot do on our own. We can never be good enough nor can we avoid all sin and be perfect as He was perfect. We need a Savior!

 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
    for our God!
4 Fill in the valleys,
    and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
    and smooth out the rough places.
5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
    The Lord has spoken!”

Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus, the one who would forgive sins, and John the Baptist, the one who would be his forerunner, were given hundreds of years before they occured. Luke 5:24 “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” John 1:6-8 “God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.” They came to pass just as God said!

Today as the Peace or Bethlehem candle is lit on the Advent wreath., think about the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and Mary’s words from the Magnificat in Luke 2:46-48. “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed. Mary and Joseph knew they were a part of something big that would impact all of mankind. They were at peace as they depended upon God to lead, guide and protect them. Where do you need to trust God this season? His peace awaits when you surrender to Him.

Linda

Advent Day 4, Bethlehem and Peace

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Today’s scripture comes from Micah, a prophet in Israel during the reigns of King Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The passage begins with a call to arms, probably when Sennacherib was coming to conquer Jerusalem during Hezekiah’s reign. You can read this great story in 2 Chronicles 32. Then the passage moves into prophecy about the coming Messiah. I love that these details were given hundreds of years before the birth of Christ and he fulfilled everyone! Micah 5:1-5

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
    siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
    on the cheek. Prophecy often has different layers right together. This call to arms was in Micah’s present time.


2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.

Verses 2-5 speak of a coming ruler. He would be born in Bethlehem, King David’s birthplace. He would be from of old. The phrase used here is from ancient of days, which was another name referring to God. The people would be subjected to rule by others until Messiah comes to reign. He would be a shepherd to his people, in God’s strength and those who dwell with him would be secure. In his reign there would be peace.

As prophecy often has the near and far placed right together, we can see that Jesus, Messiah came but his total rule with total peace is still in the future. However, Jesus’ rule was not a physical kingdom at the time he was on earth but a spiritual one. Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus came proclaiming his spiritual kingdom and was the shepherd to those who believed. As the good shepherd, he laid down his life for this sheep. John 10:10 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” Jesus came to give peace, not the peace from the turmoil with Rome but inner peace. Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

This short passage tells us a lot about the coming Messiah. Where he was born and where he came from. What his kingdom would be like and who would be included. This holiday season what are you searching for? Jesus has what you need and can give you peace. He is the good shepherd and watches over, protects and defends those who come to him in faith. Come to him and be filled with true peace!

Linda

The Prince of Peace makes Peace Possible

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Today’s passage presents a future picture of how God’s people will worship and live. They will be taught by God to walk in His truths and wars will be no more. The people will trade their guns and spears for farming tools. All will be at peace as each man will sit under his own tree and each woman will be able to tend their garden. God himself will bring this about. Micah 4:1-5

1-4 But when all is said and done,
    God’s Temple on the mountain,
Firmly fixed, will dominate all mountains,
    towering above surrounding hills.
People will stream to it
    and many nations set out for it,
Saying, “Come, let’s climb God’s mountain.
    Let’s go to the Temple of Jacob’s God.
He will teach us how to live.
    We’ll know how to live God’s way.”
True teaching will issue from Zion,
    God’s revelation from Jerusalem.
He’ll establish justice in the rabble of nations
    and settle disputes in faraway places.
They’ll trade in their swords for shovels,
    their spears for rakes and hoes.
Nations will quit fighting each other,
    quit learning how to kill one another.
Each man will sit under his own shade tree,
    each woman in safety will tend her own garden.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so,
    and he means what he says. Message translation

The prophet Micah then reminds us that this is not the case right now. People seem to be living like they wish and worshipping their own gods. He encourages us to stay the course and live lives honoring to God.

5 Meanwhile, all the other people live however they wish,
    picking and choosing their gods.
But we live honoring God,
    and we’re loyal to our God forever and ever.

This passage is a reminder to us that God intends for us to live in peace. However, without Jesus, peace can never be achieved. Why is that? God and man are irreconcilable because of sin. When Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden, God put them out of the garden. They could not walk with God side by side and fellowship with Him andy longer because of their sin. Sin had to be dealt with so that man and God could be reconciled. God’s plan to redeem us was to send Jesus to take the penalty for our sins. With our sins covered by Jesus’ blood, God could then look upon us. Hebrews 9:22 “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Through faith in Jesus, we can be redeemed by His work on the cross making us forgiven of our sins and able to spend eternity with Him. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

I am so very grateful for Jesus who brings peace into our lives through forgiveness and hope for a future with Him. He is indeed the Prince of Peace for all eternity.

Linda