Peace...

It's a two-post Sunday! 

I have been spending the weekend seeking peace and answers for some things, and these three passages on peace have stuck out to me.  Between all three, the whole Trinity is represented.

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.


It is pretty clear right there.  We are called to rejoice.  If we are focused on the goodness of God and seeking his paths for our lives, then we leave no time for a lack of peace.  Even tough and troubling times fade quickly because we understand that God is in ultimate control of EVERYTHING.  Peace comes with the pursuit of Godliness and focus on goodness.  Our minds are instructed specifically here.  Following this leaves less room in our lives for Satan to attack---which we all know he is EAGERLY waiting to do.  And then the word "practice".  We should be practicing our faith daily in our lives.  Heck, every minute we should be!

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.


So that means that these things listed here are good, and from goodness and Godliness comes peace---so it seems pretty clear here again the things that we should be constantly be focused on.  Read that list of things again and think about what they look like in practice daily. 

John 14:25-27
All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  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.


I love this.  The Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us what all Jesus has said that he had received ultimately from God the Father.  Think about it though---were you ever in class and being taught but weren't actually LISTENING?  It is very much on us to be in a state that we are actively listening for the Spirit and what it is telling us.  The Holy Spirit will NEVER be guilty of not trying on our behalf.  It is ALWAYS on us to be doing our part.  And then it says that Jesus has given us HIS peace.  Wow.  Think of the peace he walked this earth with.  No matter the circumstances, always having a direct line with God, always in control of thought.  Then finally the comment on the world.  The world is a tough thing to keep away from.  The world is powerful in our lives---if we allow it to be.  But if we are seeking the Lord with our whole hearts, then this passage from Christ's mouth tells us that our peace will NOT come in anything from this world.  Not money, not things, not people----ONLY God.  We CAN'T have it both ways.  One or the other. 

When we have peace we can have a bold confidence.  We know then that we are living right and walking as close as we can with God.  We still should be keeping our guard up, and giving everything to Him in effort to continue growing, but here is something that is said about that confidence we gain:

Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.


Powerful promise right there!

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

Be a blessing out there...and I pray peace for all...