Know ‘Peace’ [v201]

NOVEMBER 2015

Know ‘Peace’

Peace is a popular concept these days. I just saw a bumper sticker that said: “No Violence, Know Peace.” Well, while most people ‘pursue’ peace daily in many aspects of their lives—and I commend them for ‘chasing after’ it—it seems as though it is an almost impossible reality to obtain.

Turmoil is all around us. There is an absence of personal, family, and relationship peace, locally, nationally, and internationally. By many researchers calculations, in the last 3,500 years, there has been less than 300 years that could actually be considered “peaceful.” Many historians have defined “peace” in the world as the ‘lull’ in the battle when everybody stops to reload!

People talk about trying to find “peace and quiet,” or trying to “make peace.” Law enforcement tries to “keep the peace,” and global arbitrators trying to “establish peace.” We do all this until we finally “rest in peace”!

 

Humanity defines peace mostly in negative terms: to be “without trouble”—free from conflict, stress, hostility, fear, anxiety, depression, despair, and unrest. Peace for the ‘world’ is just the absence of what troubles them—a kind of superficial, temporary ‘respite’ from an otherwise troubled existence.

So, people try many things—good and bad—to obtain peace: solitude, meditation, music, exercise, recreation, entertainment, shopping, friends, volunteering, church, and even alcohol, drugs and other forms of ‘escapism’. Many also try to ‘manipulate’ or ‘trick’ their minds into a peaceful ‘state’. Here’s some examples I found:

– Let a good fact become a good experience, and really savor this positive experience. Make it as intense as possible—in this case, as felt in the body as possible—for as long as possible.

Then, as you sink into this experience, sense your intent that this experience is sinking into you. Sometimes people do this through visualization, like by perceiving a golden light coming into themselves or a soothing balm inside themselves. You might imagine a jewel going into the treasure chest in your heart—or just know that this experience is sinking into you, becoming a resource you can take with you wherever you go.

– Zen practice teaches a person to just keep asking questions and then more questions until the mind literally says enough is enough and the mind just lets go. Of course, Zen then takes this a step further and you ask a few more questions just to be sure you mind has learned to be empty of questions.

– Some have suggested that you ‘build’ a “peaceful place” in your mind that you have total control of—reliving all the sensations of a time when you experienced perfect relaxation. This is usually done by another person that will ‘guide’ you in building the ‘room’, then getting into it, and then “porpoising” (a process to ‘trick’ you mind into thinking that it is going to sleep). It is said that this process will allow you to “let go” of your ‘bad’ thoughts, and replace them with ‘good’ thoughts, to “attain peace.”

– Imagine being able to clear your head in an instant and focus only on your breath. Notice how your body feels when it’s unburdened by the weight of thoughts. Picture a mental cloud clearing out in the same way fog dissipates in the sun; the only thing left is a feeling of lightness and clarity.

– A good visualization technique is to imagine your distracting thoughts as a train—keeping the term “train of thought” in mind. Each time a thought pops up, imagine it as another car on the train. Attach it to the train or throw it into a freight car and watch it go away. Take a step back and just watch the train pass. Let it go, and let your thoughts go with it. Notice that it feels different to step back from mental chatter and simply observe it rather than getting caught up in it. There is a distinct lack of effort involved. You can apply this mental trick anytime you need it.

– “MindWash TV” is software that promotes that it makes you happy and improves your life. They say watching it regularly will improve your mental wellbeing by reprogramming your conscious and subconscious thinking. The immersive art is stimulating entertainment, creating and promoting “positive psychology” mind states. They say it is “positive brainwashing.” [ MindWash says it builds upon the benefits of mindfulness, self-hypnosis and positive affirmations. It resets your mind into a calm and peaceful state, and continuously reminds you of simple, but often forgotten truths impacting our happiness. MindWash builds upon techniques and concepts like neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), (self-)hypnosis, positive psychology, autosuggestion and autogenic training, learning repetition, mantra meditation, brain plasticity, and visualization ].

In addition to ‘personal’ techniques, there’s also a whole ‘branch’ of psychology that deals with the ‘group’ aspects of peace, conflict, violence, and war—termed “Peace Psychology.” It is defined as “the study of mental processes that lead to violence, that prevent violence, and that facilitate nonviolence as well as promoting fairness, respect, and dignity for all, for the purpose of making violence a less likely occurrence and helping to heal its psychological effects” [ Rachel M. MacNair ]. Another definition is that “peace psychology seeks to develop theories and practices aimed at the prevention and mitigation of direct and structural violence. Framed positively, peace psychology promotes the nonviolent management of conflict and the pursuit of social justice, what we refer to as peacemaking and peacebuilding, respectively” [ Christie, Wagner, & Winter ]. Though peace psychology has links within all branches of psychology, there are especially strong links to social psychology, political psychology, community psychology, and positive psychology.

 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the “Nobel Peace Prize”—which according to Nobel’s will, was to be awarded to the person who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” But, do you know the reason why he wanted the organization to be created?

Well, Alfred Nobel is the inventor of “dynamite,” and he amassed a great fortune because of it in his lifetime. But in 1888 (when he was 58 years old) he was astonished to read his own obituary, titled “The Merchant of Death is Dead,” in a French newspaper. Well, it was really for Alfred’s brother Ludvig—who had died visiting Cannes—but the article disconcerted Nobel and made him apprehensive about how he would be remembered. So, he changed his last will, and set aside the bulk of his estate (94%) to establish the Nobel Prizes—with the one for “peace” to be the first one awarded.

 

Now, I’m not going to say that there isn’t any value to some of the personal ‘mind techniques’, all the research about “peace psychology,” or recognizing someone trying to achieve peace, but I am going to make a bold statement that these will NEVER ‘FIX’ our peace problem! The thing is, I posit that peace is not an emotional, circumstantial, or a psychological issue—I believe it’s a THEOLOGICAL issue.

The Bible tells us that the whole human race is ‘alienated’ from God—since the rebellion of Adam and Eve—and we are all under divine ‘judgement’, headed for an eternity in hell. But, there’s GOOD NEWS! Since we all ‘appropriated’ Adam and Eve’s sin when we were born, God the Father made Jesus to be our “substitutionary atonement”—taking the punishment that we deserved so that it ‘frees’ Him to forgive us and ‘impute’ the righteousness of Jesus to us (“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” [ 2 Corinthians 5:21 ]).

So, to be ‘reconciled’ to God, we need only BELIEVE in Jesus as our Savior, and His atoning death on the cross. That’s it—a FREE ‘GIFT’ for any of us to accept! This is a ‘transaction’ that takes place ‘outside’ of us by a sovereign God. Put another way, this is peace WITH God—in Heaven forever!

But, THAT’S NOT ALL! Peace WITH God ‘paves’ the way for a believer to have an ‘internal’, experiential peace—a sense of goodness, contentment, tranquility, confidence, and well-being here on earth. The peace OF God.

Now, this is not just a ‘passive’ peace—one that gives you the ‘strength’ to endure. It’s not some kind of ‘benign’ reality—it’s much more than that. It’s a victorious, conquering peace! It’s a peace that not only ‘protects’ you from anxiety, fear, doubt, and despair, but is a peace that ‘triumphs’ over everything with courage, confidence, and contentment—which every ‘believer’ can experience!

The apostle Paul underscores this by saying: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope” [ Romans 15:13 ]. In the context I’m presenting here, Paul is saying that, “I want you to literally be filled with an ‘internal’ peace that ought to be the result of your ‘external’ reconciliation with God.”

 

Of all the promises in the Bible, I think this is one of the most ‘significant’: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” [ John 14:27 ]. Wow…what an AMAZING PROMISE!

This is Jesus’ peace—Who is called the “Prince of Peace”—that provides the ‘spiritual harmony’ that brought about our reconciliation WITH God (“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” [ John 10:27-28 ]).

But Jesus’ sacrifice provides more than just ‘eternal’ peace—it also allows for us to have peace in the ‘here and now’ by having a ‘relationship’ with the Holy Spirit—the “Advocate” Jesus said that God the Father would send to dwell in every believer (“Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you”/ “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you” [ John 16:7; 13-14 ]).

The Holy Spirit will take the peace of Jesus and will ‘disclose’ it to you. He will be giving to you ‘exactly’ what Jesus possesses. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will ‘manifest’ Himself in every believer by helping us live in ways we couldn’t possibly live on our own—by ‘filling’ our lives with love, joy and peace [ Galatians 5:22-23 ]. This peace is not what the ‘world’ can provide—it’s divine; it’s supernatural; it’s from Heaven!

 

So, how does a believer attain this peace? Well, it’s all about TRUST—the ‘internal’ reality you possess of a God who loves you ‘infinitely’, desires the very best for you, and has a wonderful ‘plan’ for your life (“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” [ Jeremiah 29:11 ]).

The thing is, trust sometimes requires that there be unanswered questions. In the moment, we may not always understand the “why,” but like the psalmist David, we can also say, “My times are in Your hands” [ Psalm 31:15 ]. God is way smarter than we are, and He wants us to trust in His great plan for our lives.

So, to be more peaceful, let God have ‘control’ of your life. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Trust God even when things don’t make sense. It’s one sure way to enjoy your life, experience more peace than ever before, and someday you’ll back and discover that God had your best in mind all along!

An illustration might help to clarify this:

A train traveling was through the night in a very violent rainstorm. The lightning flashes were almost blinding, the rain hitting the windows was deafening and the strong gusts of wind rocked the train from side to side. When the lightening flashed and lighted up the darkness, the passengers could see the rising water along the tracks. This created terror in the minds of the passengers. Yet several of them noted that through all the noise, lightening and wind, one of the passengers, a little girl, seemed to be at perfect peace. The adult passengers couldn’t figure out why the little girl was so calm during all this excitement. Finally, one passenger asked her, “How is that you can be so calm when all the rest of us are so worried about what might or could happen?” The little girl smiled and said, “My father is the engineer.” She wasn’t anxious, worried, or fearful. She had a peace that couldn’t be shaken. Why? Because she knew her father and she knew he was in control—and so it is for believers who know their Father in Heaven has it all under control!

This is similar to how Jesus responded to Pilate just before His crucifixion—His calm was stunning. He said, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above” [ John 19:11a ]. In essence, whatever you’re going to do to Me is what God wants you to do to Me, and whatever is going to happen is in God’s plan.

So, where did that peace come from? Again, it came from perfect TRUST in God the Father—clear, consummate and complete—built on the internal reality of a God who can be fully trusted!

 

This is where that ‘internal’ peace begins to really become strong. This is not a peace created as a result of ‘manipulating’ your mind or playing psychological ‘tricks’. This is, as Jesus said in John 14:27, “not as the world gives.” This peace is not found in the human ‘realm’—it transcends all that the ‘world’ offers of superficial and temporary peace.

The Bible emphasizes that the ‘world’s’ peace is inadequate: “‘There is no peace for the wicked,’ says the Lord” [ Isaiah 48:22 ]. (The “wicked” are those who are not yet believers in Jesus). The prophet Isaiah said: “The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace” [ Isaiah 59:8 ].

 

My “life verse” is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” [ Proverbs 3:5-6 ]. As was said previously, “trust” in God is a ‘component’ in peace, and this verse also emphasizes that we need to remind ourselves that God is ‘in charge’, and will take care of ‘obstacles’ when you come to them, if you’ll do your ‘part’—by giving Him the ‘wheel’—the impossible can become possible!

Now, this doesn’t mean that things will always turn out the way you want them to, and you won’t get everything you want. But, ‘perfect’ trust says, “Lord, I’m going to trust You with this whole process—it belongs to You. I’m going to ‘walk’, day by day, in obedience to You, as best as I understand it, in keeping with Your will. I’m going to do it all Your way!”

You will find that God takes care of the ‘barriers’ when we take our hands off of them—and He often does it in the most surprising of ways. As you ‘walk the path’ of trust, you will experience situations that simply will defy explanation—and when you look back, after the fact, you realize that you could not have figured out a better plan! At the time it seemed strange, frustrating, and ‘mysterious’—even illogical. But, that’s just God ‘working’ on the situation. Things will happen that seem to be totally contradictory, but these are God’s ‘arrangements’. Your ‘job’ is simply to obey His ‘leading’.

God will HONOR YOUR TRUST in Him and will give you an inner ‘quietness’, security, and a confidence when you are ‘walking’ in His will—and you will be ‘enveloped’ by His peace!

 

Coming ‘full circle’, I started this ‘post’ with the statement that most people ‘pursue’ peace, but it’s not a reality for most. Well, referring back to my ‘highlight’ verse (John 14:27), Jesus then goes on to say how to have His peace: “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” But you say, “That’s not reality.”

Well, it’s about ‘APPROPRIATION’. Jesus promised us, “All the resources of heaven are available, but to access them, you must ask in My name.” To do this, you must search the Scriptures, become a diligent student, study to show yourself ‘approved’ unto God, and ‘walk’ with the Holy Spirit.

This is not something that you try once in a while—it should be something that totally ‘dominates’ your being all the time! Perfect peace comes when our focus is off the problem, off the trouble, and constantly on Jesus!

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah put it quite simply: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are steadfastly fixed on you!” [ Isaiah 26:3 ]. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul told the Colossians, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts” [ Colossians 3:15 ].

I recently saw a sign on a man’s desk that said, “I’ve got so many troubles that if anything else happens to me, it will be two weeks before I can even worry about it.” That probably ‘speaks’ to many of us, but God wants very much for you to have peace, so He encourages you to: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” [ 1 Peter 5:7 ]. God is “looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward Him, so that He can show His great power in helping them” [ 2 Chronicles 6:9 ].

 

Jesus was pretty ‘adamant’ about how we can have this peace in the “Sermon on the Mount.” He told us what we SHOULDN’T DO: “For this reason I say to you, stop worrying, stop worrying about your life. Don’t worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you’re going to drink, what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to wear. Don’t worry about that.” Then He goes through a whole litany of things: “God takes care of the birds, God takes care of the plants. Worrying doesn’t help anything. You can’t add a single hour to your life by worrying.” So, if God takes care of grass and plants, don’t you think He’s going to take care of you, since they are temporary and you are eternal? Erma Bombeck said it well: “Worry is kind of like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”

But then, Jesus told us what we SHOULD DO: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” [ Matthew 6:33 ]. So, when you follow the ‘path’ of righteousness, peace finds you on the ‘trail’. So, don’t worry, and pursue righteousness—then you will have peace!

In the Book of James it says that righteousness and peace are inseparable. Hebrews 12 speaks of the peaceful ‘fruit’ of righteousness. The apostle Paul emphasizes this: “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking; the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” [ Romans 14:17 ]. Every believer has been justified and made righteous—and the result of this is peace.

The apostle Paul also underscored this to the Philippians saying: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” [ Philippians 4:6-7 ].

The peace of God is not based on circumstances like the ‘world’s’ peace, so it doesn’t always make sense to the ‘carnal’ mind. Paul says it is a peace that surpasses comprehension. It doesn’t seem reasonable that such peace could exist in the midst of the problems and troubles that a believer is going through. But, this is a divine, supernatural peace—it cannot be figured out on a human level.

If we lay hold of the promise of the very peace of Christ, we will have calm, untroubled hearts, regardless of external circumstances. But, if you still have a troubled heart, it is probably because you don’t totally trust God. Anxiety and turmoil seldom focus on present circumstances. Normally, anxiety is trouble borrowed from either the past or the future. Some people worry about things that might happen, and other people’s anxieties come out of the past. But, both the future and the past are under the care of God. He promises to supply our future need, and He has forgiven the past. Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” [ Matthew 6:34 ]. So, concentrate on trusting God for your daily needs, and stop being anxious for anything!

 

Now this introduces the ‘critical component’ in peace: FAITH. You go to God in the midst of all your troubles because you believe in His power, promises, provisions, resources, and His love for you.

So then, how does one go about developing this “faith”? Well, the Bible talks about “renewing your mind.” Romans 12 says “Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Colossians 3 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Romans 8 says, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Perfect peace is the product of perfect trust. Perfect trust is the result of perfect knowledge of God (which creates righteousness). The more you know about God, the more you trust Him, and the more trustworthy He is to you.

Then, the more you know about God—His ‘person’, attributes, works, power, and promises—the greater He becomes. The greater God becomes in your ‘mind’, the greater your faith will be in Him. The greater your faith, the more eagerly you go to Him in the midst of your trouble with thankful prayer, and the more His PEACE WILL ‘FLOOD’ YOUR SOUL beyond comprehension (“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” [ Isaiah 26:3 ]). This is really a ‘staggering’ promise! Faith is not knowing WHAT the future holds, but knowing WHO holds the future.

So, we obtain this ‘transcendental’ peace through trust, righteousness, and faith.

 

You’ve probably heard or have seen the bumper sticker that says: “No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.” Well, though that ‘slogan’ inspired me to write this ‘post’, based on what I’ve learned and presented herein, here’s the bumper sticker I would like to see:

KNOW JESUS
to have
Peace WITH God
and the
Peace OF God

 

The title of this ‘post’ is “Know ‘Peace’.” I was referring to two things by it: That Jesus IS “PEACE” incarnate (the “Prince of Peace”), and that YOU CAN ‘KNOW’ His peace for yourself!

So, I pray for those who DO NOT YET ‘KNOW’ JESUS, that you may realize that you are living in the most severe ‘danger’ you have ever been in—teetering on the ‘edge’ of hell, and on the ‘brink’ of eternal danger. That might sound harsh and dire, but that’s how the Bible presents it. So I pray that you turn your ‘eyes’ toward Jesus, and ‘run’ to Him for your PEACE WITH GOD through justification, salvation, and reconciliation—and the ‘gift’ of eternal life!

 

If you would like to ‘give’ your life to Jesus, you can do it right now—right where you are. There’s no magical words to say, you just need to believe in your ‘heart’ that God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, is God in the flesh, rose from the dead, and is alive today—and when He died on the cross, He took your place as your substitute sacrifice for your sins. If you sincerely believe this, then admit you are a sinner, confess your sins, and that you will trust Jesus alone for your salvation, committing your life to His service.

You could say something like the following (in your own words if you would like):

Dear Lord Jesus,
I understand that I am a sinner, and I can’t save myself. I sincerely repent of my sins, and ask You for forgiveness and mercy. I believe that You died on the cross as my substitute, paying my sin debt in full so that I could receive Your forgiveness and have eternal life. I ask You to come into my life right now and become my personal Savior. From this day forward, I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and ask you to send the Holy Spirit into my life, to take control, and guide me be the kind of person you want me to be. Give me a ‘new beginning’, and help me to live for You. Amen.

 

I also pray for you that DO ‘KNOW’ JESUS, that you experience the PEACE OF GOD, that surpasses all understanding. Even though your circumstances may not change, I pray that you experience Jesus’ ‘HEAVENLY’ PEACE to the full, as you pursue it through TRUSTING Him for all your needs, RIGHTEOUS living, and a FAITH that believes that He has your best ‘interests’ in mind!

 

[ Excerpts from: Scott Ashley; Lloyd John Ogilvie; Matt Slick; John Piper; Charles R. Swindoll; John MacArthur; Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer ]

 

[ I would be honored to know it if you became a ‘believer’, and would very much like to be of any help I can be in your ‘journey’ with Jesus! – My email: mbesh@comcast.net ].

 

RESOURCES:

—————-
“The Key to Personal Peace”
by Billy Graham

People are seeking the answer to the confusion, the moral sickness, the spiritual emptiness that oppresses the world. We are all crying out for guidance. For comfort. For peace. Is there a way out of our dilemma? Can we really find personal peace with God? Yes! But only if we look in the right place.

The Key to Personal Peace includes trusted Biblical insights from renowned evangelist Dr. Billy Graham. The Key to Personal Peace offers a look into how to live life in the fullness of God.

Sections include:

– The Great Quest
– Our Dilemma
– What is God Like
– What Did Jesus Do for Us?
– Finding the Way Back
– Peace at Last
– Heaven, Our Hope

http://www.amazon.com/Key-Personal-Peace-Billy-Graham/dp/0849944287/

—————-
“Finding Peace: God’s Promise of a Life Free from Regret, Anxiety, and Fear”
by Charles Stanley

In times of crisis and confusion, Dr. Charles Stanley has learned the one phrase that can carry him through: “God, You are in control.” The peace he has experienced in life stems from that foundational belief. In Finding Peace, Dr. Stanley shares with readers how they, too, can experience an unshakeable peace which “passes all understanding.”

Filled with encouragement to lift the soul, Finding Peace offers insight on what causes us to live without God’s peace in our lives, and how we can reverse course and open our hearts to receive it. Also, Stanley gives his perspective on the things that hinder peace-including the “Four Great Hallmarks of God’s Peace” and “Five Essential Beliefs for a Peaceful Heart”-to put the important message of this book into concrete terms. Addressing regret, anxiety, and fear, Dr. Stanley extends hope for overcoming the obstacles that block peace with the Lord. Finally, he gives direction on learning to live a life of contentment.

http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Peace-Promise-Regret-Anxiety/dp/0785288600/

—————-
“How to Have Peace: Anytime and Anywhere”
by Robin Bremer

In a world full unpredictable weather, incurable disease, how can anyone help peace and confidence? There is only one way to have peace in all situations and circumstances and that is through the unconditional love and undisturbed supernatural power of knowing inexperience in God as your daddy.

This book will show you that through the unconditional love of God you will have supernatural power to change any circumstance in any situation. Fear is false evidence that appears real. Peace is knowing and all loving God who has given you everything you need to live on earth like you will in heaven.

Learn about your daddy’s love and power toward you and for you and walk in power and peace.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Have-Peace-Anytime-Anywhere-ebook/dp/B00JZRSWUY

—————-
“Perfect Trust”
By Charles R. Swindoll

Beloved Bible teacher and bestselling author Charles Swindoll offers fresh, original insights in this wonderful sequel to Intimacy with the Almighty. He encourages readers to discover a more meaningful, intimate relationship with God by learning to trust Him more completely. This classic favorite is revised with an elegant updated design and powerful new quotes that go right to the heart. With his unique, uplifting writing style, Swindoll helps those navigating life’s most difficult obstacles to pursue the path that leads to power, blessing, and peace.

http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Trust-Charles-R-Swindoll/dp/1400320100

—————-
“Peace: Cast All Your Cares Upon Him”
by Joyce Meyer

Give Your Problems to God And He’ll Give You Peace and Joy!

Are you trying to do the impossible? Are you working too hard to change the people around you? Are you unhappy because you’re not where you want to be spiritually? Are you losing your peace? If you don’t have peace, you can’t enjoy life. Now Joyce Meyer shows you how to gain mastery over your day-to-day existence while you find peace in the midst of the storm. She’ll teach you how to:

– Wait on God and His perfect timing
– Outsmart the ‘peace stealers’ who set you up to get you upset
– Find power in a calm and trusting attitude
– Focus on the grace of today and not the worries of tomorrow.

The peace of God passes all understanding. It’s His free gift to you. Are you ready to receive it?

http://www.amazon.com/Peace-Cast-Your-Cares-Upon/dp/0446691747

—————-
“In Pursuit of Peace”
by Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer explores the myriad ways readers can experience a life overflowing with tranquility. In today’s world, peace is hard to come by. When personal desires are followed, serenity is forfeited. But by submitting one’s will to God, a peace-filled life is ensured. Maintaining peace is therefore a choice, says Joyce Meyer. In her new book, IN PURSUIT OF PEACE, she discusses:

– How to be at peace with yourself
– The importance of having peace with God
– Enjoying peaceful relationships
– Being led by peace
– Developing a peaceful attitude
– and the paradox that peace equals power.

Joyce says, ‘I’ve discovered over the years that peace is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us. We must pursue peace with all of our might.’ IN PURSUIT OF PEACE is a guidebook for success in this task

http://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Peace-Joyce-Meyer/dp/0446695025/

—————-
“Experiencing God’s Peace: Philippians (A Woman After God’s Own Heart)”
by Elizabeth George

Highlighting the presence of God’s perfect peace, Elizabeth George helps women know God’s perfect peace in every circumstance in their lives. They will discover how to respond to the needs of others; mature in Christ; and overcome anxiety. The “heart response” sections help readers grasp Paul’s teachings and focus on God’s loving provisions.

http://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-Gods-Peace-Philippians-Woman/dp/0736902899/

—————-
“Peace with God: The Secret Happiness”
by Billy Graham

It May Not Be a Coincidence That This Book Has Crossed Your Path…

In Peace with God Dr. Billy Graham asks God to help this book “find its way into the hands and hearts of a lost, confused, and searching world…men, women, and young people everywhere [who] thirst for peace with God.”

In spite of a life drenched with responsibilities and rewards, are you thirsting? Searching for some nameless thing that is more important than anything in life? You are not alone. All mankind is seeking the answer to the confusion, the moral sickness, the spiritual emptiness that oppresses the world. All humanity is crying out for guidance, for comfort…for peace.

Dr. Graham shares God’s gentle, reassuring promise of spiritual calm—of authentic personal peace—amidst a personal life wracked with too much stress, too many burdens, too great a heartache.

“I know men who would write a check for a million dollars if they could find peace,” writes Dr. Graham. “Millions are searching for it. But we Christians have found it! It is ours now and forever. We have found the secret of life!…When your spouse dies or your children get sick or you lose your job, you can have a peace that you don’t understand. You may have tears at a graveside, but you can have an abiding peace, a quietness.

“God’s peace can be in your heart—right now…Whatever the circumstances, whatever the call, whatever the duty, whatever the price, whatever the sacrifice—His strength will be your strength in your hour of need. “It’s all yours, and it’s free. You don’t have to work for it…Do not put it off.”

http://www.amazon.com/Peace-God-Happiness-Billy-Graham/dp/0849942152/

—————-
“Pocket Prayers: 40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest”
by Max Lucado

When the chaos of our daily lives becomes overwhelming, where can we turn for peace and rest? Best-selling author Max Lucado points to the Source of all hope and strength in Pocket Prayers, which contains forty guided prayers and complementary scriptures for any situation. This pass-along companion to Before Amen serves as an outreach tool for ministries and churches, offering simple encouragement for those who struggle to pray.

http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Prayers-Simple-Bring-Peace/dp/0718014049/

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“Perfect Peace”
By: Lloyd John Ogilvie

In this rewarding book, Ogilvie helps readers discover how to attain treasured peace, and to journey through life with a daily sense of God’s calming, strengthening presence. Each chapter closes with a Prayer for Peace that readers can make their own.

http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Peace-Lloyd-John-Ogilvie/dp/0736905456

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“At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most”
by Ken Gire

A bestselling author offers a fresh, inspirational, and thoughtful look at the characters and stories from God’s Word that will encourage you through tough times.

http://www.amazon.com/At-Peace-Storm-Experiencing-Presence/dp/0764208845/

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“Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Handling Our Conflicts”
by Robert D. Jones

A Guide to Resolving Relational Conflict

You have conflict in your life—we all do. You encounter it in your home, your workplace, your school, or even your church. All around us tensions exist and disputes persist.

Offered here is a step-by-step process for pursuing peace in ALL your relationships and a tool you can use to help others. This guide is:

BIBLICAL: Relies on the absolute authority, sufficiency, and life-giving power of God’s Spirit-breathed Word

CHRIST-CENTERED: Depends on the forgiving and empowering grace of Jesus

PRACTICAL: Provides concrete action steps, case examples, discussion questions, and suggested language to handle specific situations

PROVEN: Offers tried-and-true methods from a pastor, professor, counselor, and certified Christian conciliator who has led couples, churches, and Christian schools to make peace for over twenty-five years

Packed with wisdom and practical techniques, this manageable book on reconciliation will send you on your way to pursuing peace while helping others to do the same.

http://www.amazon.com/Pursuing-Peace-Christian-Handling-Conflicts/dp/1433530139/

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[P.S.: If you would like to investigate further about what the Bible has to say about TRUST and FAITH in the here and now, visit the following link:
http://4vis.com/sfm/sfm_pres/sp_q3_d3_1of10.html

 

LIFE’S DEEP THOUGHTS (v201) for NOVEMBER 2015
If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

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STEPS TO PEACE WITH GOD

Most people have an idea of what they believe it will take to be accepted by God. After all, who likes the idea of exiting this life without being on good terms with him? Thankfully, it’s possible to be certain that you’ve made peace with God, but the way must be chosen during this life. Here are the steps drawn from God’s book, the Bible:

Step 1. Understand God’s purposes—peace and eternal life
God loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal, fulfilling life.

The Bible says…
“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Why don’t most people have this peace and the fulfilling (abundant) life that God intended for us to have?

Step 2. Admit the problem—our sin and separation
God did not create us like robots to automatically love and mechanically obey him. God gave us a will and the freedom to choose. The first man and woman chose to disobey God and go their own willful way. And we still make that choice today. This results in separation from God.

The Bible says…
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23

People have tried many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God.

The Bible says…
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12

“Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God…” Isaiah 59:2

No bridge reaches God…except one.

Step 3. Discover God’s bridge—the cross
Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave. Though he was God’s sinless Son, he became a human, took our place, and paid the penalty for our sin, bridging the gap between God and us.

The Bible says…
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”1 Timothy 2:5

“Christ…suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 5:8, 3:23

“Christ died for our sins…he was buried…he was raised on the third day.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

God has provided the only way to forgiveness of sin and eternal life. But each person must make a choice.

Step 4. Embrace the truth—receive Christ
We must trust Jesus Christ as our Savior and receive him by personal choice.

Jesus says…
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The Bible says…
“To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” John 3:36

What is your decision?
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now and trust in him alone for forgiveness and eternal life? The Bible says that’s the only way to find peace with God!

Admit your need—that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness.
Be willing to turn from trusting in anything else for eternal life and trust only in Christ.

Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross, came back to life from the grave, and is your only way to heaven.
Accept Jesus’ offer to forgive your sins and come into your life as your Savior.
You may want to tell him in words like these:

“Dear Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to find peace with God! I believe that when you died you were paying the penalty for my sins. I now receive you into my life as my Savior, so I can have forgiveness and never-ending life from God! Thank you for the gift of eternal life!”

[ Billy Graham ]

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JESUS-THE PRINCE OF PEACE

The peace of God—that tranquility, calmness, and quietness that makes it possible for you to walk thru the most difficult and trying times of your life. That peace comes from a relationship. You can’t buy it. You can’t barter for it. It is a relationship—and that relationship is with only one Person—and that’s Jesus Christ.

[ Dr. Charles Stanley ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4bZv6B6Btg

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A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING TO GOD

“Because of Jesus, I now can live a life of joy, purpose, peace, and love.”

God, I have so much joy right now, knowing that you decided to send Jesus to earth so I could be saved from a life of hopelessness and sin and be a peacemaker for you. I recognize in this moment that you saved my life when you sent Jesus, and that because of Jesus, I now can live a life of joy, purpose, peace, and love. I hold onto that hope today. When I look at the world around me, I see so many people who are struggling with stressful, meaningless, chaotic lives without loving, caring relationships. That was my life before you saved me. To say I am grateful doesn’t begin to express what I am feeling. I just know I have a sense of meaning and peace I have never had before and could never get on my own strength – and I am full of amazing happiness.

I feel like celebrating right now, knowing that I am now on your side, instead of being at war with you. I know that with you I will never again be lost and alone. I am a new person today, and I recognize what I have just been given. I pray that, as I continue to grow spiritually every day, I will come to understand everything you have just accomplished in my life. By faith, I know I can trust you to be in my life today—and every day. I know I can count on you when things get tough, and knowing I will spend eternity in your presence gives me such hope!

Thank you, Jesus, for the peace you have given me. I pray you will use me as an instrument of that peace so I can help my family, friends, and the world in which I live. I feel so different right now, knowing that you and I are now OK, knowing I am on the road to a deeper understanding of what it means to live for an audience of one. I ask you to help me pray when I become upset so that I will have your peace in any situation I face—good or bad. Help me to get ready to help other people as others have already helped me. I want to make a difference in this world, and I want to help everyone I meet have the same hope I now have. I can’t do this alone, so I ask you to make me a peacemaker.

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for saving me. And thank you for giving me a peace I have never known before. May everything I do, from this day on, reflect these same qualities as I tell others what you just did for me. I am full of anticipation at the kind of life I can now live.

[ Rick Warren ]

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“YOU ARE HOLY/PRINCE OF PEACE”

[Verse 1:]
You are holy (you are holy)
You are mighty (you are mighty)
You are worthy (you are worthy)
Worthy of praise (worthy of praise)

[Verse 2:]
I will follow (I will follow)
I will listen (I will listen)
I will love you (I will love You)
All of my days (all of my days)

[Chorus (men):]
I will sing to, and worship
The King who is worthy
I will love and adore Him
And I will bow down before Him

I will sing to, and worship
The King who is worthy
I will love and adore Him
And I will bow down before Him

[Chorus (women):]
You are lord of lords
You are king of kings
You are mighty god
Lord of everything

You’re Emmanuel
You’re the great I am
You’re the prince of peace
Who is the lamb

You’re the living God
You’re my saving grace
You will reign forever
You are ancient of days

You are alpha, omega
Beginning and end
You’re my savior, messiah,
Redeemer and friend

[Ending:]
You are my Prince of Peace, and I will live my life for you.

[ Mark Harris, Carolyn Arends, Michael W. Smith – “Worship Again” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsYyuK1w3q0

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“PEACE”

When you thought He wasn’t here
And you were at your darkest
And you felt you had too much to bear
You couldn’t take it anymore

You thought He was far like He didn’t care
But He was so close holding you together
Closer than your breath
Closer than the heart inside your chest

The peace of God will keep you
The peace of God will keep you
The peace of God will carry you
Carry you

And He saw every moment that you wanted to give up
He saw you broken and He wanted to pick you up
To be love to you
To show you you’re not alone
That when you weep He weeps with you

So when you feel He is far like He didn’t care
Know He is so close holding you together
He’s closer than your breath
Closer than the heart inside your chest

When He bids you walk on the water
When He bids you walk on the water
When He bids you walk on the water
The peace of God will carry you

When He calls you
Come a little closer
When He calls you
Come a little closer
When He calls you
Come up higher
The peace of God will carry you

He sings
Come to Me all who are weary
Come and drink from the living water
Come and see all who are lowly
So come into My rest
So come.

[ Brianne Danter – “Follow” album ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qg3SCX7vWc

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“kNOw Jesus kNOw Peace”
(Car Bumper Sticker)

http://www.zazzle.com/know_jesus_know_peace_car_bumper_sticker-128622736120624835

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DEEP THOUGHT(s):

“No God, no peace; Know God, know peace.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Peace on the outside comes from knowing God on the inside.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
[ Vivian Greene ]

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
[ Albert Einstein ]

“If you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future, and if you are at peace you are living in the present.”
[ Lao Tzu ]

“Peace on the outside comes from knowing God on the inside.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Peace of mind is not the absence of conflict from life, but the ability to cope with it.”
[ Author unknown ]

“Because of Jesus, I now can live a life of joy, purpose, peace, and love.”
[ Rick Warren ]

“Trusting God doesn’t alter our circumstance. Perfect trust in Him changes us.”
[ Charles R. Swindoll ]

“Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.”
[ J. Oswald Sanders ]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ‘pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”
[ John 14:27 ].

Mark

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Disclaimer: All the above jokes & inspirations are obtained from various sources and copyright are used when known. Other than our name and headers, we do not own the copyright to any of the materials sent to this list. We just want to spread the ministry of God’s love and cheerfulness throughout the world.

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