Tag: peace

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Rise & Shine

krisshetter 
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2

Rise and shine and give God the glory! Those are the words I heard when I first woke this morning. You see I had told my husband last night, just before we went to sleep, that I had no idea what I was going to write about today. Zip, zilch, nada. But I wasn’t worried. I didn’t lay awake all night concerned about the words that had yet to come. Why? Because over a month ago I made the commitment to the Lord that I wouldn’t run ahead of Him in this project. I turned any worries I might have over to Him. So, last night I fell into a blissful sleep with the knowledge that our glorious Lord always comes through for us.

You read that correctly. He always comes through on His promises. He is always present to comfort us, to teach us, to protect and heal. The way He accomplishes this may not (and it usually doesn’t) look like how we imagined but, when we have faith in His love for us and we seek Him in every circumstance we will see Him at work.

Yesterday at lunch my friend and I shared the topics of what can keep us up at night: family strife, fears of illness, the state of the world, and even our pets. As the Lord has worked on the part of my body that brings me so much grief — my mind — He has shown me how to turn each thought over to Him in trust and prayer.  To release my prideful ideas of control and be still of mind.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

That thief? He is the one keeping you up at night. He is the one that whispers that you must be the one to fix other people. He reminds you that death may be just around the corner. He reveals to you all your weaknesses and screw ups. He places the doubt of God’s sovereignty and love in your mind.  He’s convincing you to expect bad things to happen. He’s the one telling you to clean up your act before you can come bow down before our Mighty and Glorious King. Ugh! I hate that guy! The king of lies. 

"Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
    when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be a light to me." Micah 7:8

Oh, yes we will rise! We will rise because when we pray, the glory of the Lord shines a light on the lies. Before we go to bed each night we turn every single thought over to Him and we don’t take it back. We put it in God’s holy lockbox. We pray for the hope of tomorrow. That the Lord will do a mighty work in our circumstances. Because Jesus came to slay that serpent and indwell in us the fruit of the spirit.

I heard in a podcast this morning that Israel’s enemies would try to defeat them by putting rocks in their fruitful wells. King David was said to have opened all the wells up in victory. That’s what we need to pray today. For the Lord not to fill us — as believers we already have the gift of the Spirit in us — but to remove all those rocks we have placed in our well. It may be bitterness, jealousy, fear, mistrust, anger or any number of negative thoughts and actions. We pray not to be filled but to break down those rocks and fully utilize the glorious gifts we’ve been given such as love, joy and especially peace.

Oh, that blissful peace. It’s what we yearn for each night we lay our heads to rest. My friends, it’s time to unblock our wells and give God the glory for all He has done and will do for you. The hope of today and tomorrow that He will be present in your life every single moment.

And when you rise, give God all glory and honor and power. Amen.

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Knitted by God

krisshetter 
"I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:6-7

I’ve been thinking alot about babies lately — not because I want another (I’m way past that time!). Yes, the talk of Jesus coming to earth as a baby has been in my mind’s forefront but also my two-year old grandson and six-week old granddaughter had been staying with us for Christmas. Having had two daughters of my own I still find myself fascinated with pregnancy, childbirth, and the ever-changing process of growing up. 

Even while I was pregnant years ago, I thought the concept of having a human being inside me was very odd and alien-like. The miracle of life seemed just that, a miracle. While too many people in our societies want to pretend that a life growing inside a woman is not … a life, I remain in awe of how a tiny swimming seed can push its way into a tiny egg and an explosion of life begins. What a wondrous miracle God came up with to continue His creation!

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-15

While scientists pride themselves on the basic “how’s” of the creation of life they can never fully answer the “why’s.” Why does the tiny sperm swim up to the egg? Why does it find the egg and push its way through? Why do the cells begin to split? Why do the cells stop making new features of whatever creature they are creating? 

My pondering led me to a different question about this glorious, God-given miracle we call human life. When does the mystery of consciousness begin? Any small amount of research will unveil the biases of scientists working in this arena. The idea of God’s creation of consciousness is seen as “make believe” (as written over and over by Dr. Ralph Lewis in his 5 part series in Psychology Today). Yet, even after studying this topic for many years, evolutionary biologists and psychologist can only make conjectures based on theories of animals that lived thousands if not millions of years ago. They reject the one, most simple answer – God’s miraculous work in us.

I did find an article on when the journey to consciousness may begin in babies. Again, however, it is based on the idea of what scientists presume must be in place physically before a human is deemed able to have consciousness.

But when does the magical journey of consciousness begin? Consciousness requires a sophisticated network of highly interconnected components, nerve cells. Its physical substrate, the thalamo-cortical complex that provides consciousness with its highly elaborate content, begins to be in place between the 24th and 28th week of gestation. Roughly two months later synchrony of the electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythm across both cortical hemispheres signals the onset of global neuronal integration. Thus, many of the circuit elements necessary for consciousness are in place by the third trimester. 

Christof Koch, When Does Consciousness Arise in Human Babies? Scientific America

Friends, our glorious God, the creator of all things seen and UNSEEN has given humans the gift of consciousness. That, in turn, gifts us with creativity, planning, memory, higher emotions, and more. We can no more truly guess when this gift has been delivered to us than we can know when our souls have entered into our cells. Of course, many evolutionary biologists and atheists don’t believe we have souls either. 

If we look at life simply as a compilation of mechanical-like parts joined together (somehow for some reason) to create a two-legged creature that can speak, then we ignore all the beautiful intricacies of our human existence. The nuances of love, of sadness, of joy, of peace, of fear, and of reverence. 

Our Christian faith is not ignorant of the “how” we are knitted together. We can accept all the biological facts of our human bodies. We just have the key to why it all works. A God to whom we give all glory for being the greatest scientist and creator for all time.

All glory and honor and praise to God. Amen.

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Our Lovely God

krisshetter 
Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. Isaiah 24:15

Today we bask in the glow of a Christ come to us in the form of a baby. A baby which held the power to defeat sin in His tiny hand. A baby that so terrified a king that he called for the deaths of all the young children in Bethlehem. A baby that drew people of all races, creed, religion, nationality to Him for the promise of peace through all eternity. 

The other day I read part of a sermon by the renowned 18th century pastor, Jonathan Edwards. He became well known for glorifying God’s beauty and magnificence throughout his lifetime in sermon after sermon. Today I’d like to share a portion of his sermon titled, “Children Ought to Love the Lord Jesus Christ Above All” (Sermons and Discourses 1739-1742). It seems fitting in celebration of the birth of our Savior and a lesson for us all to carry in our minds and hearts.

“Christ is so lovely that the angels in heaven adore Him. Their hearts overflow with love for Him and they are continually, day and night without ceasing, praising Him and giving Him glory. He is so lovely that God the Father infinitely delights in Him.

Christ is His beloved Son, the brightness of His glory, whose beauty the Father continually sees with infinite delight, without ever being weary of beholding Him. And if the angels and God himself love Christ so much more than anyone or anything else, surely all children on earth ought to love Him above all things in this world.

Everything that is lovely in God the Father is in Jesus Christ, and everything that is lovely in any man is in Him. For He is man as well as God, and He is the holiest, most humble, and in every way the most excellent man that ever was. He is the true delight of heaven.

There is nothing in heaven, that glorious place, that is brighter or more lovely than Christ. By becoming man, He was as a flower springing up out of the earth, lovelier than any seen in all this world.

There is more goodness to be enjoyed in Christ than in anything or anyone in all the world. He is not only loving, but all sufficient for any need of humankind. There is enough provision in His person to supply all our wants and satisfy all our desires.” 

To our God who created the glorious heavens and earth, to Him be all power and honor and majesty. Amen

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Hope for All

krisshetter 
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

In my Bible Study groups we have talked occasionally of the need to be educated about major religions so that in speaking with folks about Christ we know their general beliefs and positions of faith. When obeying the commands to love our neighbors and make disciples of all nations we must be aware and sensitive to the distinctions between Judaism, Islam and Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. We’ve talked about missionary failures when believers enter into cultures too aggressively and trample on the very people we are tasked to love

Unfortunately, this history has caused many Christians to be overly cautious — thinking they shouldn’t ”push” their faith on people.  The lack of apologetics and addressing the differences in religions in churches only makes this situation worse. If we truly believe in Jesus, if we seek to obey Him and therefore are promised peace and joy, then we must accept as truth His directive.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19

It’s not about just trying to get Jesus’ conversion numbers up for the next quarter so God will be pleased. No, it’s about sharing the truth and glory of Jesus’ message to the world. It’s about wanting so desperately for our friends, neighbors, loved ones, and even strangers to experience the fullness of life for all eternity. It’s about how we view conflict and strife and fear – praying for, yes even our enemies, to come live in peace.

On this Christmas Day, when we celebrate the most significant day in the history of the earth since it was created, we should re-commit ourselves to this mission. Why? Because today the God of all monotheistic religions came down from the heavens and choose to live among us. Not as a prophet, as the Jews, Muslims and Hindus would believe. As God. That should be earthshaking news. It seems so un-god like which is why those religions have a hard time believing it. But God, over and over in the Old Testament and Torah (which both the Jews and Muslims accept as Holy Scripture) shows Himself to be atypical of gods. 

He choose the least of us to lead thousands. The sinner is the savior for an army. A woman outsmarts a king to avoid genocide. A farmer stands before a ruler issuing warnings. Musicians defeat a powerful army. A tiny nation is taken under His wings as loved. A baby is crowned a Savior for all people.

Today, a few thousand years ago, God came to tell us the best news we have ever needed. We don’t need to keep striving. We don’t need to give more money or kill a few doves or lambs. We don’t even need to be a “good person.” In fact, He came and pointed a finger at you and said, “Sinner, I love you.”  All three other major religions — Judaism, Islam and Hinduism — require you to just work harder. Sacrifice more. And hope that you’ve done enough on one column to make it into heaven (as we lie about what we put on the other column). Their own scriptures tell them it’s impossible on our own. What a terribly hopeless way to live!

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:16-17

If we believe in God, no matter the name we put on our faith, then how can we not believe He can do anything? Including coming to earth as both God and a human baby. A baby, not born of kings and queens but of an every day woman. Yet another worldly view that God shatters and turns upside down.

My friends, when we think of believers in other religions we should find common ground first. And then, we reveal the glory and hope of the Lord — through grace alone, through Jesus alone. No other religion offers true hope. Their messiah is really themselves, as in Buddhism. The truth of human history is that we cannot save ourselves. It’s something we are miserable at accomplishing. 

Jesus is the only spokesperson for the most beautiful message of God’s love. He holds out His hand to every single person and says, “You can’t, but I can.” So again, today commit or re-commit yourself to His commands. Pray for people who hate each other to turn to Jesus. Pray for people who hate you to accept His love. Pray for knowledge and wisdom. Pray for your neighbors who are devoted to a religion that requires them to run daily on a never ending wheel to earn their way into heaven. And thank God that He came, revealing His light as a child born in Bethlehem.

May all honor, glory and power be given to the One True King and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

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Savior King

krisshetter 
"Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!" Psalm 24:10

Yesterday, in the Advent study I’m working through we were tasked with listing the names and characteristics of Jesus from various Old and New Testament scriptures. The names included: child, son, Son of the Most High, Father, Counselor, God, Prince of Peace, Lord, King, Jesus and Messiah/Savior. Attached to these names were adjectives such as wonderful, mighty, great, everlasting, zealous, wise, and upholder of justice and righteousness.

We were then asked to highlight the name and characteristic that we believe to be the most significant. Which would you say? It may depend on your current state of mind or the situation you find yourself in. But let me back up a bit and take us to the year 2019. There were just a few small things going on in the world that year. A worldwide pandemic for one. And the U.S. election for a new president.

What was your state of mind at the time? Were you afraid for your health? Worried about who would lead the world’s most influential country? Concerned about the status of your job? Upset about the situation with your children’s schools? Angry about people wearing masks or not? Abandon by your church for shutting their doors? Distraught over a loved one’s death? The year 2019 certainly held a lot of opportunity for all those emotions. At the time, the bigger question was: being honest, who did you cling to? The TV newscasters? Health officials? Elected leaders? Family? Or God?

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

“When His glory is revealed.” What does that mean for us in the here and now? We suffer through leaders seeking their own glory through greed and immorality. We hear false teachers leading Christians astray with destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). Neighbors and even family and friends follow their sensual desires and blaspheme the truth (2 Peter 2:2). And we shouldn’t be surprised. It is all written in God’s Holy Word. But what is also written is that there will be a day of judgment. 

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." 2 Peter 3:9-10

My friends, if we believe that Jesus is a real person who walked this earth as both God and man; if we see how the truth of the prophets in the Old Testament came to pass over and over; if we have experienced our glorious God working throughout our life, then we must place the banner of truth on the promise of times to come.  We must look different than the world. Our choices both physically and emotionally must cause others to ask us questions. ”Why aren’t you worried?”

I’ll tell you honestly the Lord was doing a might work in me in 2019. On one hand, I allowed myself to be carried away with all manner of worldly emotions. On the other, I began clinging to God. The battle of the heavens was revealed in little ‘ole me.  I know that God is winning and will be victorious. Just the other day a good friend shared her husband’s observation of me. He told her how much I’ve changed over the years. I almost cried when she shared that he called me “gentler.” And I raised my hand up giving God, the Victorious, all glory.

Jesus is all the names I listed during my study. He has all the characteristics found in those scriptures. Surely the name Savior should speak most to us especially during times of trouble and strife. He came to save us from a terrible judgement. He is the Savior King who will uphold all final justice and righteousness. Knowing that this glorious and powerful God cares about those two things should bring us everlasting peace. 

The world is a mess, just like it was hundreds of thousands of years ago. Just like it was when the Romans ruled throughout Israel, Judea, Samaria and the far reaches of Europe when the Jews sought an earthly king to save them. The Word of God promises us it won’t get better until Jesus returns. So, let’s put our hope and peace and love in His hands. He is the only one who will lead us into victory.

Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen

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Not Yet Home

krisshetter

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14

I had just found out that my boyfriend of three years was seeing another young woman behind my back. I didn’t know her but she, apparently knew all about me. I discovered this betrayal on a surprise visit to my (soon-to-be ex) boyfriend’s house –finding the two of them together. Now, looking back, it seems almost funny that he ran away and she stayed to tell me about the affair. I drove off with emotions swirling — anger, sadness, betrayal and confusion.

As I made my way home those emotions turned to despair. At 18 my world evolved around him. I was crushed and felt broken. Just a few miles before my house while driving on the freeway I did the unthinkable. I looked up and said, “I’d rather die right now.” And let go of the wheel.

Thankfully, the usually busy freeway was almost devoid of traffic as my car veered out of its lane crossing into two others. And thankfully a whisper told me he wasn’t worth this pain. As I grabbed back hold of the wheel I realized it wasn’t time for me to go to my eternal home.

I’ll admit that a couple other times in my life I’ve wished it was my time. The last time I felt that way I finally sought help and realized my menopausal body was in complete disarray. With a caring, thoughtful doctor I went on a small dose of antidepressants to get me through this life transition. At the same time I turned and grabbed hold of the Lord. And I asked Him to heal me.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

This week my church has taken a deep dive into the above scripture. This idea of “going home.” The promise Jesus makes to His disciples, and all other believers, is that He has made a beautiful, comforting place for us. We only need to seek Him and believe. But at rare times we yearn so much for that place we go ahead of God and try to take a shortcut. We want to be in control of that timeline because of pain and sadness.

Friend, I want to remind you, however, of two things. First, when Jesus took the glorious and awe inspiring step to leave His earthly home and join us in the flesh He declared the Kingdom has come. We look to the heavens and dream of that place. But Jesus brought the Kingdom to us. John the Baptist was the first to herald this truth.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  Matthew 3:2

He came so we would experience great joy, love and peace through Him in this earthly kingdom. He came to give us the great command to love one another as He loves us. We can, right now experience His peace and love. We just need to ask Him to show us the path. He reminds us over and over throughout scripture of His great love for not just a people but for us as individuals. He loves every single hair on our heads. He can wipe away our tears with a gentle reminder that He loves us so much He took on our pain and suffering.

Secondly, He came to prepare us for an eternal kingdom. He wants each of us to complete our god-given role while we are here for a relatively short time. We have a purpose and He has a plan. That purpose? To glorify Him each and every day through our works. 

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  John 14:12

Jesus never promises us a physically easy life. A life full of rainbows and unicorns. In fact, He makes it clear to the disciples that we may even be despised by following Him. But He does promise that we won’t be alone, that we can ask for help and He will provide. That we will experience the fruits of the spirit when we love others. And when the time comes we will be welcomed home to join in His glory.

He asks us to live an outward life. Serving others, washing feet, loving others, making peace with others. Not worrying about today or tomorrow but trusting in Him. Keeping a watchful eye for the smallest of blessings and sharing them with others. He asks us to live our best and brightest life in service to Him. When we obey and trust in the Lord we find our despair, our anger, our hurt shrinks as our hearts grows bigger. Sounds a bit like the Grinch story doesn’t it?

While we aren’t promised to never experience loss or pain we are promised our great Comforter. When He left the heavenly kingdom He opened Himself up to tears, physical pain, and even death. He knows how you feel. 

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. ... I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live." John 14:15-19

Jesus in the most glorious of ways lives in us so that we may live to glorify the Father. To look outward so that He may heal us inwardly. And when we have run our race, touched as many lives as He has planned for us, squeezed every last bit of love we can from our bodies in service to others, He will surely welcome us home.

May all Glory be given to Him alone. Amen

Friend, if you are experiencing overwhelming despair and sadness first look upward to the Lord for help. Then seek assistance through the many resources available in your community — possibly through your church, a Christian counseling group or a hotline. If you have a friend or family member you can go to knowing you will be received well, call them today and tell them you need help. You are precious my friend. And you are needed here for a specific piece of God’s plan.

If someone you love or know has talked about suicide here’s some ways to respond (from the Mayo Clinic)

  • Get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible. Your friend or loved one may need to stay in the hospital until the suicidal crisis passes.
  • Urge the person to contact a suicide hotline.
    • In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
    • U.S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.
    • The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
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Resting In Peace

krisshetter

I sat in the back of the car texting my husband about our travels that day.  Suddenly, we experienced yet another brush with death.  Our car came within inches of having the entire left side (the side I was on) shorn by a large truck.  My friends in the front seat continued their ongoing murmur of bickering about driving skills and directions.  My next text to my husband went something like this:

Me: I realized I might die today and I’m ok with that.

My Husband: What??

Me: Ya, we almost just died a few times today but somehow I’m ok with it.

When I tell my friends about this moment they think I’m being funny and exaggerating.  One friend then inquired, “but weren’t you terrified and angry?”  I said, “No, really I was at peace.”

My reaction to our death-defying adventure that day reminded me of these few verses in Pastor John Newton’s famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come; 
His grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home."

I’ll tell you friends, my reaction that day was a first for me. Neither the near miss or the bickering could take away the peace I was experiencing. I saw the bickering as my friends’ natural way of communicating with each other over their 60 years of loving marriage. Somehow it worked for them. And as for that little death thingy? I realized I had zero control over the situation. No amount of my yelling about my friend’s driving, yelling at the other driver, fretting , crying or whatever would change the situation. We were in the middle of nowhere so I couldn’t even demand we pull over and let me out.

Instead, I sat back and did the only things I could do: pray and worship.  I didn’t beg God to save me.  I told Him I trusted Him.  If He had more things for me to do here on Earth then I would do them.  I watched as beautiful scenery sped by and I thanked Him for His glorious creation.  I thanked Him for my sweet little family whom I love and I know loves me.  

I tell this story because this hasn’t always been me.  I didn’t even realize it could be me until that very moment.  Until I was tested by the Lord.  Let’s just say I’m a really talented “backseat driver.”  Or as my husband can attest, a well-practiced jump seat boss.  The Holy Spirit and I have worked diligently on this topic.  With each foray into my husband searching for parking places, driving past our freeway exits or taking different, less efficient routes for errands, the Holy Spirit has set on my right shoulder prodding me into silence.

It’s my desires of the flesh – pride and anger — that get me into so much trouble during these times.  I know best.  And if you don’t take my advice, it’s a punishable offence.  But I’m heartened to know I’m probably the only one with this problem, correct?  

Joy and patience are far above our strength…We must persevere in prayer that He may not permit our hearts to faint…Prayer and perseverance are necessary in our daily conflicts. The best remedy to the weariness is diligence in prayer.

John Calvin

When I realized I could not, by my own doing, take on this task of peacefulness  while not in the driver’s seat I turned to God in prayer.  It’s He that gives me the reminders.  It’s He that tugs at my mind and heart.  It’s by the Holy Spirit’s strength that not only does my mouth stay shut (mostly) but my mind turns to something else. And lo and behold, we still arrive at our destination.  We may walk a bit father but we still get there!  While I still struggle with this sin our Saturday errand trips have become more peaceful ventures.  

This training each week led me to that moment in the back of my friends’ car.  To my possible “meeting my Maker” moment.  Not only did I have peace but also joy in knowing I have the love of the Lord on my side whether I’m here for another day or two or not.  And I had love for my friends.  They had taken the day to share an adventure with me, to share their time with me. And what an adventure it was!

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27

I know I can’t, by worry or fear or anger, add a single hour to my life.  I do know that with prayer and worship He will make my life more peaceful and beautiful.  And for that I am forever grateful.  Peace be with you my friends.

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The State of Peacefulness

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Throughout the last three years with my Bible study girls (BSGs) I noticed what we all struggle with the most — control.  Or on the flipside, lack of trust.  The results of that need to control typically lead to lack of peace.  We humans like to manage situations and people without first consulting the “man upstairs.” The inevitable results create frustration, hurt feelings, anger and more.  

Instead, we turn to the desires of the flesh listed just above the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy.  

We must picture hell as a state where everyone is perpetually concerned about his own dignity and advancement, where everyone has a grievance, and where everyone lives with the deadly serious passions of envy, self-importance, and resentment.

C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

You may look around your own Bible study groups, church friends or even just the “good” people you know and think, “Nah, we never do any of that horrible stuff!”  You might recall, however, at the beginning of this study on love that Jesus considers gossiping or defaming someone “murder.”  Yikes!

We take our newly signed peace treaty with God and consider it a license to do what our flesh desires.  Maybe thinking He won’t notice.  We turn from the peace table, walk out the door and get angry at the first person who doesn’t do what we think they should.  We fantasize of a spouse who would love us so much better, we drink away our anxieties, hold onto our bank accounts for fear of the poorhouse, speak of “Karma” when hurt by others, become jealous of our non-Christian neighbors with the fancy new car, or just turn away from others who need a bit of kindness.

Friend, God has implanted in each and every one of us the knowledge of His existence.  Somehow, we all know what His desires are for our behavior, for our hearts.  

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." James 1:21

We know, through the Holy Spirit what is right and wrong in God’s view.  When we actively or even passively work against this you know what the inevitable result is?  Lack of peacefulness.  That niggling in your heart and mind is God’s way of reminding you of the path toward peace.  And yet we so often ignore it. We’ve been rejecting the Prince of Peace and His path since He walked on this Earth.

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they (the Pharisees) were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” Luke 13: 44-46 

How incredibly sad is this point in scripture?  The Pharisees and Sadducees were spoon-fed by Jesus, Himself, the truth.  The glory of the heavens was opened to them.  The bountiful, beautiful life was placed on a platter before them and they rejected it out of jealousy.  Out of fleshly desires.  Do we want to be listed among them?  I pray your answer is no.  

I heard a podcast recently by John Ortberg on taking a hold of the beautiful life God wants for us.  He spoke of not just cutting out actions and thoughts from our lives but more importantly replacing them with a positive action and thought.  The Bible speaks of cleaning house but not leaving it empty for the thief to come and take up residence.  Therefore, if we want not just the glorious peace with God but God’s gift of peacefulness, we need to replace our desires of the flesh with His goodness.  With the blossoms of love and joy.  With trust that our God does in fact know what He is doing.  He is greater than us in every aspect and will provide.  

Through prayer, obedience and knowledge of His Word we can, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, rest in His peace.  Ask Him today to shine a light on the areas that are creating deadly weeds in our hearts.  The Great Gardner will create a beautiful peacefulness in you that you never could’ve imagined!

Coming Up: Resting In Peace

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Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

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I sat scrolling through my Instagram feed and felt my very body react with each passing post.  Doom!  Gloom! Watch out!  The World is falling apart!  I had originally created an Instagram account years ago to follow my teenage daughters’ posts.  Their accounts were full of fun events and beautiful scenery.  Photos taken from atop the highest peaks in our city and from endless beach days.  Soon, however, I started following political-related accounts and outspoken people who warned of problems in society.  In other words, I was constantly feeding my mind and soul with the opposite of what I really needed, peace.  

My head’ll explode if I continue with this escapism.

Jess C Scott, EyeLeash: A Blog Novel

I finally had the same “ah ha” moment as Ms. Scott.  Although I agree on the need for good citizens to stay informed, I didn’t need to be this well-informed throughout my day.  Hence, I started unfollowing accounts and searched for ways to add beauty to my life.  I recently told a woman from Australia, whom I follow, that I could watch her sourdough shaping videos all day.  Watching her strong hands roll, pat, and lovingly form something beautiful out of God’s simple gifts of water, flour and salt.

While I brought some measure of peacefulness to my social media, I also realized this isn’t really the peace Jesus meant when He told the disciples:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives." John 14:27

That peace, Shalom, is a gift of mercy and grace from God.  It’s peace with God.  It’s the kind of peace that can, if we place our trust in God, lead to a state of peacefulness.  This Shalom is a relationship that only the one true God can give us.  Fallen, sinful humanity works daily, hourly at being at war with God.  We turn our backs on Him, we spit on His name, we refuse to show Him even a cursory love at times. Yet He, in His magnificent, lovingness still says, “Come to me and I will forgive.  Not just forgive but cleanse.”  

Before ever we can enjoy peace within our hearts there must be a state of peace established between us and God. We must submit ourselves to the Lord, and he must forgive the past, and make with us a covenant of peace, or else there is no peace for us; for “there is no peace, saith my God, unto the wicked.

Charles Spurgeon, Peace: A Fact & a Feeling

We stand before God like a criminal on the stand.  We are guilty although so many of us refuse to admit this guilt.  We call ourselves righteous because of our good deeds or warm feelings or even because we see ourselves as victims.  But friend, we are all so, so guilty.  And yet He provides a substitute for our punishment, a peace-treaty of sorts.  One that sees Him carry the larger portion of the burden.  Our portion?  It’s to just say, “I’m guilty.  I accept your terms.”  And the dove is released.  Peace with God is done and we are made righteous, we are cleansed thanks to Jesus.  We are made into allies rather than enemies.

If this seems a bit far-fetched, too difficult to grasp you may be right.  Imagine, if you will, standing in your local court docket.  The sergeant of arms reads your crimes from a large ream of paper.  The list includes small misdemeanors such as rolling through a stop sign (x100) or not turning on your blinker when changing lanes (x1000).  The severity of the crimes increases to stealing (the fruit from your neighbor’s tree, the pen from the office, the item not charged but made it into your grocery bag, another person’s parking place or spot in line) to defamation of your supposed friend’s character or even of someone you have never met.  The list includes all the lies, small and large, the times you were downright mean or rude, all the instances you turned a blind eye to a person in need.  It may include adultery, debauchery, times of greed and idolatry.  At the final page sits the judge’s punishment for all your crimes, for your crimes against humanity he says.  100 years in a harsh workcamp where you will be broken and live out your days in despair.  

However, as at a wedding whereby the pastor asks if anyone has anything to speak against the impending union, the judge asks if anyone would like to intervene for the accused; anyone who would be punished in your place.  You look out into the crowded benches.  Into the faces of your children, your spouse, brothers, sisters, aunts, parents, friends.  What are you thinking?  Are you hoping someone would step forward and take your place in what will be your hell on earth?  Your sweet daughter, perhaps?  Your favorite sibling?  Your ailing father?  No, you are probably pleading with your eyes for not one of them to take your place.  You love them too much.  And yet your son, the strong, intelligent, gentle one stands.  He declares you free of guilt and will take your place.  He approaches you and looks into your eyes and says, “I am strong and you are weak  I love you too much to see you suffer.”  And you fall at his feet not just from the weight of his overwhelming love but also in the sorrow of your sin.  You look up to him and he says, “I will see you again one day and we will both be restored in fullness.”

This is what the Lord has done for us.  He takes our sentence on and erases our sin and guiltiness.  He signs on the dotted line for peace and justice.  He does so to allow us to blossom in God’s loving arms.

Our hearts can be free of the fears of this world because we know when our day comes we will be welcomed into God’s tent, not left outside waiting for a terrible judgement.  And when we understand this Shalom type of peace it will lead us to a state of peacefulness.  The peace Jesus mentioned at the end of John 14:27: “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Coming up: A State of Peacefulness

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God’s Flawless Words

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“Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”  Proverbs 30:5

In January 2020 I embarked on a faith journey of which I am still on today and will be for the rest of my life.  It was a simple journey, for which I only needed one book and the desire to converse with God.  I added a few new friends and a few old timers who understood God a lot better than me.  And so began my study of the infallible Word of God, the Bible.  I appreciate the way one of the “old timers” I’ve had with me describes this amazing book.

We have a more sure word of testimony, a rock of truth upon which we rest, for our infallible standard lies in, “It is written.” The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, is our religion.”  

Charles Spurgeon

What I found, having researched the Bible’s origins and its mind-boggling consistency in truths over thousands of years and multiple writers, is that God is never wrong.  He’s never been mistaken.  He has never told a lie or broke a promise.  Most “confusion” over His Word is typically because we humans can’t understand a being that loves us so much that He hates sin.  Other issues with His Word abound because we don’t take the time to place the stories in context of the times or within their original language.

More importantly what I have found is comfort, peace, joy and hope.  Comfort that He never leaves us and is always teaching, guiding, encouraging, forgiving.  Peace in that He wants a relationship with us free from strife and He shows us how to live in this world knowing of the beautiful eternity to come.  The joy He brings is through His love of this place we call earth.  His creation is so gloriously beautiful and intricately woven together.  And of course, the hope that Jesus gave through the forgiveness of our sins.  Knowing that when the day of judgment comes, He will welcome us into the New Eden with open arms.  Hope that sees no pain or suffering.  No sadness or despair.

My friends, don’t let the unbelieving world define God’s Word for you.  Read it for yourself.  Study it with all your heart, mind and soul.  There is nothing else that will bring you such comfort and hope.  There is no other book that will tell you as much about the world, its people and its creator as the Holy Bible.

Thank you, Lord God for your infallible Word.  Speak to me in my confusion, my pain, my sadness, my joy and my hope through the pages of your book.  Amen