Tag Archives: Peace

No More Tears

Posted in Bible Study by

“He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. Isaiah‬ ‭25:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

IMG_1515We often look at this scripture as reference to the afterlife; I believe it is also relevant to this life.

The people of Israel have always had to fight for their promised land. Even though God gave them the land, their enemies didn’t give up  without resistance. They still face rebuke and prejudice from other nations.

Satan, our enemy, doesn’t give up without a fight either. I often hear people talk about “all Hell breaking loose” after giving their lives to Christ. It only makes sense. Satan hates God, and we are His children. As long as we are submitting to Satan he has no reason to come against us.

While this passage was written long before the birth of Christ, it pointed to a time when God’s people will finally have peace.

Jesus first came as a lamb, but will return as the lion of Judah. The Word tells us, He will rule and reign on Earth for a thousand years, followed by the creation of a new Heaven and Earth. (Revelation 20) Those who gave their lives for the gospel will be resurrected to reign with Christ.

I’m going through a really tough time emotionally right now. This verse gives me hope. Whether I live to see the Lord’s return or not, I know that ultimately He will wipe away my tears. In fact, I can go to Him in prayer, crawl up in His lap, and allow Him to comfort me as a loving Father.

I also know when I breathe my last breath on Earth I will breathe my first in eternity. Jesus has conquered death. It is no longer an end, simply a transition.

As for rebuke, it hurts when someone we love scoffs at our faith. It’s not fun to be ridiculed or persecuted, but Paul told us to count it all joy. (James 1:2) God will reward our faithfulness; more importantly we have an opportunity to be a living witness, if we respond appropriately.

PRAYER:
Lord, you are a good Father. I am thankful I can run to You when life is hard. Though You have not promised an easy life, You have promised to be with me through it all. I can trust You will never abandon me.

Thank You for being my comforter, giver of life and for turning rebuke into joy, tears into laughter.

AMEN

Lack Peace?

Posted in Spiritual Growth by

IMG_1365“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”  ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

Sometimes a lack of peace is the result of perfectionism.

When I read ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:9‬ , the saying, “practice makes perfect” came to mind. The ONLY perfect human being to ever live was Jesus. While believers will never reach perfection on this side of heaven we can experience the God of peace. How? By putting the principles of God’s Word into practice in our lives. 

We have instant access to ‘learning’ today, but if we do not put what we learn into practice, how does it benefit us? James put it like this: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (NKJV) 

 

Sometimes a lack of peace is the result of disobedience.  

Are you faithfully following the things you have learned from God’s Word? Examine yourself and see if you are “practicing” the example of Jesus. If not, repent (confess and turn from your sin) and allow the peace of God to restore you. 

 

Sometimes a lack of peace is the result of life stress.

Does peace ever feel like an elusive dream? We are constantly bombarded with the cares of life. When you lay your head down to sleep at night, is your mind at peace, or do your racing thoughts make it impossible to quiet your spirit? 

Several years ago I was tested for sleep apnea. Thankfully, that was not the issue; however, they confirmed I suffered from insomnia. This dilemma led to a decision … do I spend the rest of my life relying on medication to help me sleep, or is there a better way? 

Over and over in Psalms, David writes about meditating on the Word of God. I tried listening to worship music as I was going to sleep. Didn’t work. Then I remembered something from my college days. When I was studying for a test, I used to tape my notes and listen to them through headphones as I was drifting off to sleep. I found my unconscious mind was able to process the information much easier than my conscious mind, which was susceptible to distraction. 

I began listening to sermons at bedtime. By focusing on what the speaker was saying I was able to intercept the disruptive thoughts keeping me awake. Normally I am asleep before the sermon ends. Why? Because I changed my focus from my problems to my source of peace. 

The peace of God follows the presence of God.

 

 

Pursue Peace

Posted in Spiritual Growth by

image“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14 NKJV

When I think of all the things that divide us in the World, it is hard to imagine being at peace with everyone. Peace, like forgiveness, does not mean the inappropriate behavior of others is acceptable. It means we rise above the behavior and actions of others to reflect the holiness of Christ in us.

When we respond to injustice rather than reacting to it, we open the door for others to  see the righteousness of Christ in us and therefore to see God through us.

Romans 12:17,  1 Thessalonians 5:15, and 1 Peter 39 all admonish us not to repay evil for evil. As Jesus hung on the cross He cried, “Father forgive them.” He chose to respond in love rather than react with vengeance.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You love me in spite of my sins. Thank You for paying the price for my redemption and setting an example for me to live at peace with others. Help me to be a reflection of Your holiness so that others may see Christ in me and through me.

Perfect Peace

Posted in Spiritual Growth by

image“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.”  Isaiah 26:3 AMP

What is the secret to perfect and constant peace? According to Isaiah it is in keeping our mind focused  on God. When we commit to Him, lean on Him and put our hope in Him we can remain at peace regardless of our circumstances.

Being a Christian doesn’t shield us from hardship or heartache, but it does guard us from being hopeless.

A few days ago I visited my brother in law in the hospital. He has terminal cancer. As we spoke he shared a conversation he had with his doctor. He basically told the doctor, “You offer no hope, but my hope is in God. He will heal me now, or He will heal me after death, either way I will be healed.”

THAT my friend is perfect peace!

Prayer: Lord, when the storms of life surround me, my hope is in You. Because of Your steadfast love I can find constant peace in knowing You are my God, and “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  (Romans 8:31)