RSS

Tag Archives: peace of god

It is all in there

12 Feb

It is all in there

Romans 11:36-12:2     For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

It is almost impossible to single out a few scriptures in the book of Romans to write on. Romans is Paul’s pinnacle writing, steep in theology, God’s sovereignty woven throughout the epistle, chapters hinge on preceding chapters. It must be read in context; as all the Bible should; but the understanding of it is deep in the meanings of all that is laid out prior to where God is speaking to you in it. Paul had been pointing to the sins of Israel, and the relation of that sin to the Gospel going out to the Gentiles; all of this in God’s sovereign plan for mankind. The pieces of His puzzle all coming together in a way that makes little sense to us; yet there can be peace in us that understand He is in control of it all. Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. God’s sovereignty explained in one simple sentence.

When you come to understand, to grasp that you are one of the elect, one of a chosen child of God’s, their is a humbleness in your heart that draws you to rest in peace. God has prepared your heart for that understanding. He has given you the ability to possess that peace and joy that the world cannot steal away. He has given you the ability to see all things as temporal; he has given you the ability to possess peace when all around you is failing. Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This world is in chaos right now in all areas; political, economic, rumors of war, poverty, social, weather phenomena; the list could be detailed right down to each of us. We are all living in a world out of control, a world turning their backs on God.

God is really pressing on me. I do not know what his plans are, but I feel him pressing on me. When times get tough, and believe me right now they are, I find myself just wanting to spend more time with Him and His Word. I also find that Satan through the world provides every seemingly distraction possible. Those things speak to my heart as confirmation I am hearing and headed in the right direction. Dig into God’s Word if you want to possess more of God. He has given you all you need there. The way to way to transform your mind and body as the scriptures above speak, is found in a heart that desires to spend time with God every day in prayer and his word.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 12, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Thankful for mercy and grace

22 Nov

Thankful for mercy and grace

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Today is the day when families gather together to extend traditions and give thanks for what they have been blessed with. There was a thread going around asking what if you only had today what you gave thanks for yesterday. A great thought to ponder, for we most likely have lost the realization of how much we take for granted. As I prayed this morning I tried to take that thought to God; to form a list. I wonder what tomorrow would reveal I had forgotten? The greatest gift I could ever receive is all wrapped into the story of the Gospel; the gift of God’s grace and mercy. Grace is unmerited favor, receiving what we do not deserve. Mercy is the grace covered forgiveness of not receiving what we do deserve. All wrapped up in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Luke 6:27-38 speaks much about our ability to extend mercy; to do good in the path of evil. Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Today’s society has brought a high level of selfishness; of putting oneself at the top of the list, and the plunder of one’s wake of destruction is not one’s problem. These ideals make extending mercy difficult to those hurt by those wakes. But it is our calling as Christians to be selfless; to not seek retaliation or gain, but to bless those who hurt us. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Christ continues to tell them of how the same measure that we forgive, is how we are forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Not only God’s mercy, but God’s grace is woven throughout the whole Bible. He continued to provide for the rebellious people of the Old Testament, pointing them back to Him in signs and wonders of their generations. He gave them great prophets to attest to these signs. He gave them every reason to know that He was God; to know that He was in control. He then culminated His plan of grace with the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. He delivered Christ to die the sacrificial death required to bring us to paradise with Him for eternity. There is no greater act of grace than Christ alone. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. That realization should bring your Thanksgiving to a new level of appreciation for the grace you have been given by God.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 22, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Wait for it….wait for it

12 Sep

Wait for it….wait for it

Philippians 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Why should I pray about that decision? If I gather all the facts, analyze the possible outcomes, I should be able to make an educated decision. I should be able to use the resources I have to make the best possible decision. I….I….I….. where in there is God? I have looming over me now big things as I am sure many of you do also. Possibly those game changers of life, or where you move your next chess piece in this game of life. Do you rest on your ability alone, or do you seek  wisdom from others at all? Very rarely is a prideful spirit rewarded in the end.

God is there for you to seek in His Word and in prayer for any decision you make. Those impulse decisions feel good for the moment; many times until the first payment comes due. But slowing down and truly seeking God for help with them requires a heart prepared to hear and heed His voice. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. A heart that is concerned with the outer appearance of the worlds perspective is not a heart that is transformed by the inward direction of God. A heart that seeks God’s Will for their lives is a heart that slows down and waits on His moves. Waiting is a graduate level Christian walk in a world bent on the immediate satisfaction.

When we makes steps on our own without going to God, we have many times moved outside of His Will for our lives. He may be wanting to see if we will seek and wait on Him so that He may reward us with a blessing that we realize came from Him. We all want a sign in the sky that says “Here is your answer from God”. The great prophet Elijah had just called down fire from heaven, only to flee for his life and hide in a cave. He was at the end of his rope. He too wanted that sign from God and the earth shook all around him in display.  But;“ and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12). Hearing God’s voice to you will be in the quiet times you spend with Him and through circumstances He places in your path that speak directly to what He showed you in that time. Seek Him and set your heart for Him in whatever you face, and be prepared to be obedient to what He shows you.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on September 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Mountaintops

01 Aug

Mountaintops

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

What is the mountains that lies before you? What are you facing that may be life changing? It could be relationships, careers, financial, physical, or any number of things. It is a big thing no matter what, that can change the game of life. Mine currently falls into the career and financial arena. These types of struggles are full of emotion and fears, and they can either drive us away from God, or draw us to God. Satan wants to drag us down with those fears, and God wants to pull us in for comfort. He has allowed and can work any situation in your life for good, and will comfort you in all of it. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

You hear the testimonies of people that go through great trials of life that the only thing that got them through it was their faith. These are consistently their stories. It is never one of self, but of the power of God and prayer. The worry that comes is part of the trial, for it is the hook that Satan casts. But the peace of God found during this times in prayer and His Word allows you pass by Satan’s bait if you focus on the things of God and not the problem. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Most likely you have heard the phrase, “What is bigger? Your problem or your God?” In the middle of all the strain, all the climbing of the mountain that lies before us, God is reaching down the mountain to pull us up to Him. If we keep looking at the size of the mountain, we will never see the glory at it’s peak. At the top is not the peak of the problem, but the victory in reaching it’s peak and the glory of our relationship with God at the top. When you are facing these great things, in what seems to be the worst, or the peak, you are the closest to God.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on August 1, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Prayer for Aurora

21 Jul

Prayer for Aurora

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I have really been struggling this morning on where to write. The thoughts in my head are dominated by the senseless tragedy in Aurora. As the days unfold we will learn many details of horror and heroism that unfolded that night. We will learn the media’s play on the killer’s life. There will be all sort of theories as to ‘why’. That is what everyone wants to know, yet it is not where our focus should be. There are evil people beyond our understanding near us every day, and they do not need glorified in their acts. The focus needs to be on comforting those affected as a result of their actions.

Many ask how could God allow this. I cannot begin to understand, but I can rest in the assurance of His Sovereignty, and the understanding of how evil can still be used to draw people to Him. Those that survived will realize the value of life, and many of them will change their lives for the better as a result with a humble thankful heart. The incredible story of the girl who had just survived another shooting months earlier, yet lost her life Thursday. There were some pics of people gathered in prayer that were gripping. Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. In times like these we can only seek God for prayers for the lost, for the injured, and for the emotionally hurting. We can show them the compassion that God has shown us.

Please take time over the coming days to earnestly pray for those affected. Pray for them to seek Godly counsel for help in their pain. Pray for them to feel God’s touch and comfort that they will find the peace of God in this. Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Pray for healing both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Pray for them to seek God in all of this and not to fall into the snares of the world’s comfort. Let this tragedy bring them closer to Jesus. Amen.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on July 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Thankfullness

15 Jul

Thankfullness

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This morning I woke up with a heart full of thanks for the great day with friends yesterday God had blessed me with. I began to think of how could I write about being thankful to God. How could I possibly sum up “Thankfulness” in a OneMinuteMinsitry?

Everything you have is a gift from God. In that simple sentence, the breath you take, the eyes you read with, the mind you comprehend with, the place you are at, the sun that arose to give you the day, the luxuries that surround you…………should I keep going? My mind started to bend in trying to simplify something so complex, yet so simple. Every single thing in your life was filtered through Gods hands to draw you closer to him. It is that simple.

Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. David wrote most of the Psalms, and poured his heart out to God many times when he did not understand why he was facing the trials he was, yet he understood to give thanks for them for they served God’s purpose. “Give thanks” is found 26 times in the Psalms. Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. The Apostle Paul was speaking to unity in the church and of how we are to be filled with God’s love and that breeds a heart full of thanksgiving.

A prideful heart will not breed thanksgiving. A humble heart will breed thanksgiving with the realization of everything comes from above. James 1:7 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Stop, drop, and pray a prayer of thanksgiving today.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on July 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

I wanna Abide

25 Jun

I wanna Abide

John 15:5 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.

God granted me a good nights sleep, and I lay there this morning with my mind ramping up. I was also watching Reflections that scrolls scripture as I do most mornings. John 15:5 came across and it was clearly a word from God for me.  “Without me you can do nothing”. There are endless roads to go down with that scripture with eternal implications, but for today it was God’s reassurance to keep my eyes on Him. When the load that lies before you is daunting, where do you lean? Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Leaning on God in the practical application is surrounding yourself in His Word, and turning over your concerns to Him in prayer.

How much time you spend with God is directly related to how you handle the stress and strain of life. The closer you get to God the more Satan tries to pull you away in both turmoil and even blessings to draw your attention away from God. Start your day in prayer and His Word. Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the kingdom of God…. Surround yourself with God’s Word all day. There is Christian radio, podcast’s, TV, CD’s, on YOUR PHONE….you name it in this digital age. God can speak to you anytime His Word is read or spoken, but how can you hear from God if you are not seeking Him? Romans 10:7 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Abiding in the scripture above is a state of ‘being’. Abiding is only found in the heart of those continually seeking God. Abiding in Christ is where you find rest in a world that is out of control. Abiding is where you find God and the peace of God. Abiding starts with the heart that seeks…….daily.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on June 25, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

No doubt!

08 May

No doubt!

Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

How do you know, that you know, that you really know you are saved? If you have repented of your sins, asked Christ for His forgiveness of them, and for Him to be the Lord of your life, you are now a child of His and eternally secure. Has your life changed as a result? Did you immediately return to sin or have the desire to change? That desire to change inside you is His Spirit that wants to live a life glorifying God, not in rebellion any longer. The doubt that you are feeling is from Satan. The more time you spend with God in prayer and His Word, the stronger your assurance is of your Salvation. If you continually seek God and the things of God, you will attain the peace of God and the assurance is a by-product. This assurance if a promise from God – Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

This below is from a resource at GotQuestions.org that was so good I had to include it here.

Question: “How can I have assurance of my salvation?”

Answer: How can you know for sure if you are saved? Consider 1 John 5:11-13: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Who is it that has the Son? It is those who have believed in Him and accepted Him (John 1:12). If you have Jesus, you have life. Not temporary life, but eternal.

God wants us to have assurance of our salvation. We cannot live our Christian lives wondering and worrying each day whether or not we are truly saved. That is why the Bible makes the plan of salvation so clear. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior, that He died to pay the penalty for your sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)? Are you trusting Him alone for salvation? If your answer is yes, you are saved! Assurance means “having been put beyond all doubt.” By taking God’s Word to heart, you can “put beyond all doubt” the fact and reality of your eternal salvation.

Jesus Himself affirms this regarding those who have believed in Him: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). Eternal life is just that—eternal. There is no one, not even yourself, who can take Christ’s God-given gift of salvation away from you.

We hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11), and this includes the sin of doubt. Take joy in what God’s Word is saying to you, that instead of doubting we can live with confidence! We can have the assurance from Christ’s own Word that our salvation will never be in question. Our assurance is based on God’s love for us through Jesus Christ.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on May 8, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,

The Great Comforter

13 Feb

We all have our battles, and our stresses of life. We all can be drug down into the gloom by our enemy and the focus on the problems, and not the solution. Constant distractions, lack of time, and the pressures of society feed worry. I know we all battle it daily. But there is a solution that comes with Christ, that gives us comfort in those times of need. The more time we spend with Him, the less the cares of the world have power over us. You truly begin to see things in a different light. If I am to describe my relationship with Christ in one word, that word is Peace. That does not mean my life is a bed of roses, and it is far from it. But I do know where to turn when the pressures of life get to me. It is not only for me, it is for all of you too….all you have to do is ask Him.

 

 

 

The Great Comforter

Philippians 4:6-7   Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.

What worries you? What brings you comfort? Our world promised material treasures, 30 day programs, and medications to fix any problem that we have. I don’t know of anyone who could claim to not worry over something. I suffer myself from both anxiety and depression, and I have given both up to God. Paul is speaking here of the gift of the Holy Spirit upon acceptance of the free gift of Salvation. The Holy Spirit is also known as the Great Comforter. He is the enabler, the guide to wisdom, the pathway to peace.

John 14:27 says “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Christ was speaking here of whom He was leaving with us to those that accepted Him, when Christ returned to heaven. This is a free gift that nourishes our sousl for our little time here, then we take that peace into eternity. Our world is full of daily stresses that that draw our attention away from God. But if we turn our hearts to God in prayer and time in His Word, the Great Comforter that indwells in us, will bring about a peace that surpasses all understanding. Their is only one way to gain this comfort, by the Cross of Jesus Christ.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , , , , ,