A heart at peace is that inner tranquility with contentment in what we have. But everyday we’re overrun with the lifestyles of the rich & famous. And that’s when the inner struggle against jealously effects our mental & spiritual wellbeing. Proverbs 24 cautions us about being envious of the wicked, for when we desire to follow their lead, it becomes a dangerous game of the allurement of easy money and unethical gains. We can’t compare our life to the ways of the wicked…for their ultimate fate is destruction and loss. So instead, we must keep our focus on God and not be swayed by the apparent success of those who live contrary to His principles.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
As fresh snow covers the earth in white, God’s love and forgiveness can cover over our sins.
Snow in the Bible symbolizes purity, forgiveness, and God’s divine grace. In Psalm 147:16-17 it illustrates God’s majestic control over nature, and celebrates His greatness, care for His people, and Sovereignty over the natural world. For just as snow blankets the earth with softness and protection, it demonstrates how God’s grace and mercy can cover over and protect us. And elsewhere, in Isaiah 1:18 we see the stain of sin washed “whiter than snow” by the redemption of Jesus as He bore our punishment on the cross. Finally, as a fresh blanket of snow buffers the sound…we should shield our ears from the foolishness of the world and listen for His still, small voice. (I Corinthians 3:19)
Acts 14: 5-7 ” There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the Good News.”
Paul and Barnabas had traveled a long distance to proclaim the Gospel in the city of Iconium…only to be faced with a covert attempt to abuse & stone them to death. (This hostile crowd executing the ancient penalty for what they believed was blasphemy against God.) Except Paul and Barnabas caught wind of it and quickly left town. But we see that this death threat didn’t for a moment stop them from declaring the Good News of Jesus as they journeyed on. What boldness and resolve they needed to persist in their Ministry…what fearlessness in the face to danger they exhibited…all to tell people about Jesus, for their good and His glory.
Jeremiah 8:15 ” We hoped for peace but no good has come…”
Peace isn’t given by the world…peace is only given by Jesus Christ. But we still search for tranquility and calm in all the wrong places…and usually end up disillusioned and in despair. For the promise of God’s peace far surpasses any peace the world can offer. (I Corinthians 14:33) Right before Jesus left His disciples, He comforted them with this, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” (John 14:27) Hence, showing us that His peace is a far superior remedy for all the fears, anxiety, and confusion wrought by the world today. The Apostle Paul’s beautiful benediction and prayer in II Thessalonians 3:16 should then become our daily plea, “May the Lord of peace Himself give you (me) peace at all times and in every way.”
Psalm 27: 9-10 ” Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger, You have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
Like Moses, God promised Joshua and the Jewish people that He would never leave nor forsake them. (Deuteronomy 4:31 & 31: 6,8) But unlike God, those we love and care for will at times abandon us and break promises…walk away and devastate us. And yes it will hurt, but humans are fickle and unreliable…but God isn’t. So the next time someone turns away and leaves you behind, remember these things – it is, and always will be, only God and you… and that He is a merciful and loving Father Who will never, ever, walk away or renege on His promises.
If God is making you wait…do what waiters do…serve.
In I Samuel 10 we see the prophet Samuel anointing Saul…commissioning him to deliver Israel. But there was a season that Saul waited for events to happen. This is when Samuel told him, “Do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” (I Samuel 10:7) So when we find ourselves in a season of waiting, it doesn’t mean we should sit by idly twiddling our thumbs. Rather, as we wait, we prepare, and as Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” We are then to continue to work diligently for the Lord…living life to the fullest…pouring out our lives in wholehearted devotion to God as we wait…and while we wait, we are to serve others. (Colossians 3:23)
Job 38:1-3 ” Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said, ‘Who is this that darkens My counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “
In rapid order, between Job 38:1 and 42:6, God asks more than 70 questions of Job. With none of then related to Job’s suffering or God’s vindication…but rather to help Job realize that God’s ways are higher than man’s. The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah penned it this way, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8) With question after question, God made it crystal clear…He is worthy of our complete trust even in the most desperate of circumstances…enabling us to then rest in the hands of a Sovereign and good God Who is not our enemy. (I Peter 4:19)
Psalm 51:4 ” Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…”
Conviction of our sinfulness stirs our conscience and brings us into the awkward reality of just how unethical, immoral, and wicked we are. And as that uncomfortable view of our shortcomings sink in, there is sorrow. Either sorrow for making foolish mistakes and being caught, or deep contrition for sinning against God. For if we say, “I have sinned Lord.” and mean it, repentance follows…which is the prerequisite and necessary condition for Salvation. What comes next is God’s forgiveness, for I John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Genesis 9:12-13 ” And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.’ “
Throughout Biblical history God dealt with man through covenants…establishing the relationship between Him and His people. Covenants were usually certified by visual symbols…in this case, a rainbow to remind mankind that God would never again destroy the earth. (Genesis 9:11) The Jews regarded this particular covenant between God and Noah, after the great flood, as the basis of the relationship between God and all mankind to come. The rainbow in the Bible has always been viewed as the pinnacle of God’s astounding creation, (Ezekiel 1:28) His glory and power, (Revelation 4:1-3) and His splendor. (Revelation 10:1) But for us, seeing a rainbow in the sky after a fierce thunderstorm can produce hope, faith, and gratitude for the enduring gifts of grace and mercy… all rolled up in those beautiful colors of God’s promise.
Galatians 5:16 ” So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
When we say “Yes” to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes and makes His home within each Believer. This third part of the Trinity is the One who works to make us holy, and to conform us to the image of Christ. We must then work with the Holy Spirit to grow in holiness, (or in Sanctification as it’s called.) And this means not giving in to immoral urges, carnal pleasure seeking, or deceptive greed. But that’s very difficult to do living within our corrupt human body & nature. That’s why a few verses later, Paul explains & encourages us with, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24) In other words, the cross of Christ broke the grip of our sinful flesh. And like Christ, we have now been raised to new life…for we are now a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (II Corinthians 5:17) Thus, we can walk in the power, and with the help of the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 3:1-5)
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