GOD'S PEACE IN AN UNCERTAIN TIME

3/15/2020

We are certainly all aware of what a crazy and frankly frightening time we are currently living in. There is virtually no place in the civilized world that isn’t watching the Coronavirus march steadily onward through villages, towns, and cities on every continent. Economies, food supplies, medical services, and the very fabric of human interaction are being challenged. In times like these it is very easy to let fear overcome us and lose sight of the fact that as followers of Jesus, this is precisely the time that we must lean into Him and realize His Power, Authority and Grace. This is the time when we must trust in Him and understand what His word tells us about Him, and our relationship with Him. We must understand the things that the Kingdom of God promises us as we abide and thrive within it. The Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 are described as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. These are the promises and desires that God has made paramount in the life of His children. In times like these, there is perhaps nothing more important than finding Peace within your spirit….and the place where we find peace in our lives and situations rests directly in our efforts to abide in our Lord.

“AGREE WITH GOD, AND BE AT PEACE; THEREBY GOOD WILL COME TO YOU. RECEIVE INSTRUCTION FROM HIS MOUTH, AND LAY UP HIS WORDS IN YOUR HEART”. Job 22:21-22

IN PEACE I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN AND SLEEP; FOR YOU ALONE, O LORD, MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY. Psalm 4:8

“PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET THEM BE AFRAID.” John 14:27

“THEREFORE, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. THROUGH HIM WE HAVE ALSO OBTAINED ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE IN WHICH WE STAND, AND WE REJOICE IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD”. Romans 5:1-2

The true peace of God brings tranquility to our lives. The true peace of God brings us the confidence that He is indeed watching over us, and although times may be difficult, we seek to fellowship and encourage each other in every way possible ! Peace, as Dr. Michael Lake shares in one of his incredible podcasts, is “ A full manifestation of God in your life that includes healing, deliverance, prosperity and all that brings you Peace Within”. No matter how much we prepare and toil to make sure we have everything in order to take care of our physical needs, unless we feel peace deep within our hearts and minds, we will always be just a little unsure….and perhaps fearful.

I am by nature a person who is diligent in being prepared. Ready for any challenge. Interestingly in the past several years, I began to change my focus. I heard God’s voice quietly move me away from self preservation toward caring for others. Away from the watchful eye for the storm coming, toward realizing Jesus could calm the storm with a simple word. Our God is about love, and power; He is about grace, and authority; He is about trust, and faith, and a different way of life. Our life is in Him, and it is about Eternity. It is about what lies ahead for us in His Kingdom !

PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD; AND INTO AN INHERITANCE THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE. THIS INHERITANCE IS KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU. 1 Peter 1:3-4

This time in history will be remembered for a very long time, and from many different perspectives. The question is, “How will you remember it ?” Will it be a time of fear, or a time of God’s Peace ? Will we ever have as much time on our hands to read His Word in it’s entirety ? Will we ever have a better time to share the Gospel with those in need ? Will we ever have more time in our lives to get close to Him and learn to abide in Him ? Let this be a time when Jesus manifests His presence in your life, and you, yes you, give someone in your life the True Peace Of God ! May you have the peace of Christ/JAA

FOR OUR LIGHT AND MOMENTARY TROUBLES ARE ACHIEVING FOR US AN ETERNAL GLORY THAT FAR OUTWEIGHS THEM ALL, SO WE FIX OUR EYES NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN, BUT ON WHAT IS UNSEEN, SINCE WHAT IS SEEN IS TEMPORARY, BUT WHAT IS UNSEEN IS ETERNAL. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18