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. John 14:27
I love the above scripture. It plainly states and reminds me that there is a difference in my life when I look to God for peace versus looking to the world for peace.
God's peace is everlasting---it's sustaining. The Bible tells me that no matter what is happening in my life, I am assured of a deep sense of security and peace in knowing that God is always on my side, in control and unconditionally in love with my soul.
Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone seeks joy. And everyone wants a sense of peace and security.
The bookstores are filled with rows and rows of books on how to be filled with peace; how to pull out of depression; how to be anxiety-free. The doctors are ready and willing to prescribe a pill for everything under the sun from stress, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, etc.
But God says plainly that all we need is Him...He IS love. He IS joy. And He IS peace.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
In Romans 5 versus 1 through 11, I believe the crucial point is this: Jesus died for my sins. I believe He is the risen Christ. Therefore, I am saved.
As Christians, that alone gives us a deep sense of peace in knowing that we are reconciled to the Almighty God and have everlasting life because of His plan for our salvation! The more I get to know my Lord, the closer I draw to Him and the deeper I fall in love with Him which breeds true joy and in turn breeds genuine and real peace in my life.
Each of the fruits of the Spirit are all connected...they all reveal the true Character of God and draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. The closer we draw to Him through a daily walk with Him, the more evident these fruits are in our own lives.
Peace. It's the opposite of anxiety and stress, worry and fear. It's what the world wants but never finds...until falling at the foot of the cross.
Great peace have those who love Your law. And nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165
"Lord, thank you for reminding me each and every day that You are my peace and my joy. Please help me to share this with others in my life so that they, too, can experience the great peace that only You offer. Amen."
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