I just finished my study on "Peace" as part of the Fruit of the Spirit, a Bible Study by Beth Moore. I would like to share some of the things that I was encouraged with through this chapter.
First of all "life without peace" is unbearable. Job faced terrible circumstances that were definitely not peaceful. In Job 3:25-26, he says this, "What I feared has come up on me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." Satan delights in our lack of peace! He desires to "sift us as wheat" just like he was trying to do to Jesus' disciples.
Secondly, Jesus Christ came as our "Prince of Peace." He became our peace by shedding his blood on the cross for our sins. His death brought us peace with God for an eternity of peace. "We could not experience peace with God until the fullness of the Godhead made peace with death." Through Christ's death, we have been given ACCESS to the heavenly Father!
Christ gives us a peace that transcends all understanding (Phil. 4:7); a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27); a peace that guards our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7); a peace that belongs to Christ and is only His to give (John 14:27); and Christ offered His peace to us, if we choose to accept it (John 14:27). Christ promises to graciously give us all that we need (Phil 4:19; Rom. 8:32), that should bring us a great peace. If there is a need that we have, we must bring it before the Lord, give Him all we have to offer, and allow Him to answer. "Are you sitting down in a posture of trust and sitting quietly to receive it? If so, prepare the baskets!"
"Peace means the absence of fear and turmoil, not the absence of pain and grief." Jesus experienced peace in the midst of tears. He saw the pain and loss that Mary & Martha experienced when they lost their brother, Lazarus. Jesus was moved to tears by their love for Him. Yet, He remained peaceful during the whole situation, because He knew that it was all happening for God's glory. "Christ had perfect peace in ALONENESS...in PROVISION...in the STORM...in the WAIT...and in the TEARS."
"Only at our invitation can Christ surgically open the blocked artery that connects our head to our heart." Judas "knew" Christ very well, yet he never fully accepted Christ for his own. He led the soldiers to Jesus for a little money. Judas then hung himself because he lacked the peace with God that only Christ can give.
Judas thought he was handing Jesus over to the Pharisees, but in reality it was Jesus who, even in the garden, gave his life peacefully. We too can have peace only in God's perfect plan. God give us peace through the Holy Spirit once we have accepted him.
Finally, may you find the lyrics to this song... peaceful:
Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day;
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry, touch the spirit there.
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Trac'd upon our dial by the Son of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.
Chorus:
Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;
Finding as He promised; Perfect peace and rest.
MAY YOU FIND PERFECT PEACE AND REST IN OUR RISEN SAVIOR THIS EASTER SEASON ESPECIALLY!
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