“What Kind of Peace is God’s Peace?”
Good Morning Friends,
Friends, I have worked with youth that have tried to commit suicide and have had friends some of whom have succeeded in ending their lives. I have come to the conclusion that it is a forgivable sin but not a path God would choose for us. For some it was mental illness and chemical imbalances and still I have to ask why peace was so elusive for them. I have come to the conclusion for myself that I can fall to the mistake of seeking peace in the wrong places. Friends, once we are born we are fated to die. We are predestined to die. It is the way things have been working for centuries upon centuries. We all have that universal fate but that does not mean that we each have a predetermined path to that future event. If we are freed to choose we can live in this moment. The Biblical idea is that by accepting Christ’s offer we can become conformed to the image of Jesus for His glory. It is here that we choose our destiny with the help of Jesus the Loving Counselor. So with that in mind today we ask the question, “What Kind of Peace is God’s Peace?”
Scripture: Jesus said, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. . . . Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (TEV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9 (NRSV)
Message: The world tells us that there is a fixed sequence of events that determine our future. But with Jesus counseling us with His peace I have to believe that we are not set on an unalterable course. Here we experience the invisible protector in a relationship that promises peace. Without getting into a discussion about God’s sovereignty and our free will, let’s suppose for a moment that the mechanism of chance and our choosing unfolds a purpose and a call that brings peace. Friends, lay claim to the truth and majesty of God who loves us, chooses us…. calls us and justifies and glorifies us by being in us. Here what we do is who we are. By the power of the Spirit the goal does not terminate with us. The glory of the preeminence of Christ breaking forth in and through us is the plan of our salvation. In that we can end the worry. In that we can pray with an attitude of gratitude…in that we can hopefully allow God’s peace to take root in our minds and souls. Friends, serving Christ will help us grow not just in peace but also into peacemakers. Friends, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Jesus is the way to peace through the purpose of love.
Pray we learn to lean on Jesus when we feel life is meaningless. Pray we choose to allow Him to calm our troubled minds with His peace. Pray we embrace the most practical power in the world. Pray we choose to accept the freedom of hope and shine a light that dispels the dark world of discouragement and depression and irritability and anxiety and thoughts of our own death. Pray we believe in a future that invites vision and dreams and planning and prayer. Pray we listen to the loving Counselor and not lose hope for something really great and beautiful and satisfying in our lives. Pray we pray daily. Pray we give thanks. Pray we dwell on the positive. Pray we are obedient. Pray we choose his peace.
Pray that the Spirit lives within us and guides us and counsels and protects and empowers us in peace to share the love we have received. Pray God guide our feet into the way of peace Pray that we believe that God, in an act of extraordinary love, sent His son to save us and bring us peace. Pray we love one another. Pray we honor one another. Pray we be gracious to one another. Pray we empathize with one another. Pray we get along with one another. Pray we be humble toward one another. Pray we be honest with one another. Pray we be good to one another. Pray for the peace found in the harmony of truth.
Pray we rejoice in the promise of peace. Pray we grow into Peacemakers. Pray we find a peace that lasts.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 