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Fruit of the Spirit

Peace. A deeper look pt. 3 of

By: Matthew Cortinas

What about Peace??

Peace…. Ahhh!  the word itself stirs calming and pleasant thoughts.

 Hearts yearn for peace. In fact, a common greeting in many languages is to wish someone peace, like shalom (Hebrew) or aloha (Hawaiian). Even Jesus Christ used it.

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." John 20:19​-​21 ESV

How about your life? Are you stressed out with life’s pressures and wanting more peace? Most people including myself would say yes! The Bible focuses on three areas of peace: personal peace of mind, doing what we can to have peace in our relationships with others and eventually peace among all nations.

True peace of mind is an inner calm, contentment and confidence no matter what the outer circumstances. This seems impossible at the time we are going through hard times. This is when we must lean on the Lord and gather our own inner peace which the Holy Spirit brings to us. Say a silent prayer and ask the Lord to bring His peace into the situations of life that you are going through.

Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." *

We live in a frightening and frenzied world. We used to hear of someone being a nervous wreck or suffering a nervous breakdown. Emotions haven’t changed as much as terminology. Tension, anxiety, depression and panic attacks are the common designations today.

 the result that comes from this is the overuse and abuse of alcohol and legal drugs as well as the use of illegal drugs—as people turn to temporary escapism instead of seeking long-term solutions. Solutions that can be found is seeking the Lord and asking Him for His peace.

Finding peace in a crazy uncertain world can seem hopeless. Hold tight to what the word promises and move in closer to the Lord.

1 Peter 3:11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. *

 …. “seek peace and pursue it” .... meditate on that for a minute. Seek it by taking time to read the Bible, by far the greatest book on peace ever written! Pursue it through prayer to the very “God of peace” 

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. *

Christ’s followers are protected from many trials and dangers, but not all. In fact, some trials, like persecution, happen because of trying to “live godly in Christ Jesus”. Never mind about the trials, press forward, trust in God. He will not fail you.

2 Timothy 3:12… Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, *

Christians are persecuted in this world by people. What others don’t believe in or understand they sometimes attack. By holding onto our faith and remaining steadfast in it, we set a good example for the world to see.

The key is to rely on Christ, the source of sublime peace!

John 14:27 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 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

 And the Prince of Peace! This title was prophesied in:

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Luke 1:78-79 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." * God set all this in motion for the salvation and comfort of his children! He can “guide our feet into the way of peace” Our world may seem hectic and sometimes all out of sorts but knowing and embracing the promises of God contained in His Word, through Jesus Christ, we all have been given the assurance of salvation...or in other words, PEACE!

END   Dear Lord, Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill my heart, my world, my universe. Amen