“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – Jesus (John 16:33)
Victory through Jesus alone.
Tag Archives: Peace
Abundance of Peace
11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” – Psa. 37:11
Believers are promised not just peace, but overflowing peace.
You Who Still the Noise
“You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.” -Psa. 65:7
Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of God.
The Lord of Peace
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” – 2 Thes. 3:16
Jesus is the Lord of peace. He, Himself gives it. He gives it always in every way. Not as the world gives peace, but as He gives peace.
True peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God.
Perfect Peace
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” – Isa. 26:3
We all want peace. What about perfect peace?
Perfect peace comes only from God and knowing His Son, Jesus.
God is able and willing to keep you in this divine calm.
It comes only to the one who keeps their mind stayed on God. Of course, that’s easier to do when you trust Him.
Trust God.
Stay your mind on Him.
And God will keep you in His perfect peace.
Confused God
“God is not the author of confusion but of peace,” – 1 Cor. 14:33
Whenever you see disorder, God is not the author. Whenever you see uncertainty, God is not the author. Whenever you see frenzy, God is not the author.
God is the author of harmony. God is the author of tranquility. God is the author of reconciliation.
Jesus Preached Peace
This is a wonderful little verse about Jesus that doesn’t get much attention, but it’s just perfect:
“And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” – Eph. 2:17
Righteousness & Peace Have Kissed
“Mercy (hesed) & truth have met together; Righteousness & peace have kissed.” – Psa. 85:10
Where did they meet? In Christ Jesus.
These four virtues, once lost with Adam, are now found in Jesus. All the attributes of God rest perfectly in Him. They lovingly kiss.
When did they kiss? When He poured out His life on Calvary.
We are all guilty. The Law requires justice (TRUTH/RIGHTEOUSNESS). But the Judge wants us to be free (MERCY/PEACE). So He punishes sin (in the person of His Son) and releases the sinner. It is the only way God can judge us and save us at the same time. It is the only way God can be both Just & the Justifier (Rom. 3:26).
Why? Because He loves you so.
“This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us & sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” – 1 John 4:10
Sound too good to be true, but it gets even better: it’s a free gift. All you have to do is accept it in FAITH Rom. 10:9). You can’t earn it. If you could, it would become “payment for services rendered” (Rom. 4:4). It is HILARIOUSLY WRONG to think we have anything to do with our own salvation. God could never, ever (ever ever ever) be “in debted” to Man (Rom. 11:35).
Its called Good News for a reason!
How Long Halt Ye?
There’s no way the Old Testament is relevant to me. People from 3,000+ years ago and 6,000 miles away living in a culture radically different than mine could NEVER speak into my life! Oh really.
“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. – 1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV)
Is this not the same exact question we must answer today?
- How long will you waver (NIV), hesitate (HOL), go limping (ESV) between?
- How much longer will you try to have things both ways? (CEV)
- Or my favorite: “How long halt ye?” (KJV)
The original Hebrew is really vivid. The literal translation is: ” ‘Till when are ye leaping on the two branches?” (YLT)
Here’s the word picture Elijah is painting: a bird is walking down a branch and it forks. Instead of choosing one branch or the other, the bird begins leaping between the two.
He’s saying: YA GOTTA PICK A BRANCH!
Is it going to be God or satan? There is no third branch.
A fork in the road splits the road. Now it runs in completely different directions; one goes North and one goes South. The further along you go, the further away from the other you get.
The word pacach; to halt or hesitate also has the idea of “dancing” between two.
Are you dancing between God and satan?
Try showing up to Prom with two dates and see how that ends up for you. No, both demand your affection & loyalty. But you can give it to only one.
Jesus said you cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:24a). At least have some conviction; If the LORD is God, (which He is, of course), then give Him your 100%. If the Baal is God (which he is not, of course), then give him your 100%. This wishy-washy, back-and-forth nonsense is just annoying.
Notice the people’s reply. Crickets. What’s your reply?
You CANNOT be silent on this issue. Its the most important issue of your life! God has set before you life & death, blessings & curses; now choose life! (Deut. 30:15-20)
Hmmm, the OT’s seeming awfully relevant suddenly, isn’t it?
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The Little Engine That Couldn’t
We are all familiar with “The little engine that could.” A little steam engine pulls a big train over a big hill, or (depending on the version) a little engine is loaded with an abnormally large cargo and has to make it over that big hill. He ends up doing so by believing in himself and relying on his own strength. He chugs slowly up the hill. With every inch he repeats the famous phrase: “I think I can. I think I can.”
This is a wonderful fable about positivism and self-reliance. I get that. But please understand: it is fiction both literally and figuratively. Eternally-speaking, no amount of positive thinking or determination will help you. The impossible task set before us, that hill so high, that load so heavy; cannot be overcome on our own tenacity.
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
You might as well be saying: “I know I can’t. I know I can’t.”
Now, before you run me out of town as a Debbie-downer, remember there is hope. There is such wonderful hope because: I know the One who can.
Jesus can get you over that hill. Jesus can help you bear that load. But you have to let Him. He won’t take over without your consent.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Gal. 2:20
I know I can’t, but I know God can. “I know God can, I know God can” should be our famous phrase.
We are the little engine that couldn’t… but relied on Jesus who could!
Not as catchy, I know, but much more true.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Engine_That_Could
A Verse A Day 