Make Peace, Receive Peace

June 18, 2021

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

~James 3:18~

Peace, something we all strive for more of each day. I speak for myself when I say it is always on my prayer list for everyone else and my own family. Peace is a mighty gift and in heavenly form it is unlike anything else that we have ever craved; "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)

Once you feel a mere touch of God's peace, there is no going back. On a day to day basis we are struck by the things of this world; health concerns, financial stressers, wavering relationships, political messes, weather hinderances, overly busy schedules or work related issues. What so ever our day looks like there may be one of these worldly crisis attached to it and we can thank the devil for intensifying it in our minds so that peace is the last thing we are receiving.

Jesus tells us to come to Him daily and ask for the things of heaven. He gave His life to give us peace, not just in heaven but here on earth. We are here to represent the Lord in all His work and how can we do that in anguish? Wouldn't Jesus want us representing His light with the light upon us? How can we preach the good news with pouts on our faces? How can we share our love for Christ with a suffering individual if we too look as though we suffer? This will not draw others to the Lord, rather make them feel as though there is no difference with or without Him. But my friends, there is a huge difference and the access He grants to His peace is freely there and given; "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." (I Corinthians 2:12)

The devil runs around each day looking to bring down as many people as he can so that they may not shine forth on others. His desperate attempts of blinding the Lord's peace is relentless and he is not about to give up any time soon. When the Lord rose again from the grave, appearing to His disciples, these words came from His mouth and I smile each time I read it; "Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” (Luke 24:36)

He could of said "Hey guys, its Me!" Or He could of asked them a question. Instead He chose to welcome Himself back with a beautiful gesture of humility; extending His peace to them. I can imagine the look on their faces after they realized what was going on. I am excited for them and its in the past! Peace indeed is ours! The Lord is alive and He is waiting each and everyday to take our burden and give us the steadiness in our hearts; "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

(Acts 3:16)

The Lord supplies us with the opposite of what we supply ourselves. For each situation He has a way out, but we must give it to Him and wait on His ways. Patience is key and sometimes the lack of it causes us to lose God's peace. I again, speak from experience. I am only human myself and it takes a constant reminder to seek Him and His promises. God's sovereignty will rain down upon us as we trust in Him. When we stop and smell the roses. When we accept the Lord's offer as He tells us "Peace to you."

The world is everchanging but Christ remains the same. The world wants you to fill voids with temporary things. Jesus wants His peace to only increase each day you ask for more. Abiding in His Presence everyday and calling on Him for His gentle peace gives us the assurance that He is there, He has won our battle and He is willing to lead us in each dark valley the devil attempts to throw us into. In order to receive it we must first make it. Are we being a blessing to others or are we focusing only on ourselves? Are we covered in self pity and weariness that we can't even seem to smile at a passing stranger? Let us share kindness and shine the light of Jesus in us. In the giving we tend to receive even more then what we ask for. The blessings act as a domino effect and we will see just who our Lord really is. Let us chomp down on the fruit of righteousness and make peace with others and ourselves. Life could be much harder then we have it now my friends. Let's praise God that it isn't and receive the peace that surpasses all of our own understanding. The kind that makes us crave that alone for nothing else will compare to it.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank you for Your great offer of peace from heaven. Lord, I would not be able to endure without You or be able to keep my peace with others if not for Your guidance each day. I honor all that is given to me in Your Name and greatly desire to be a good example of shining light to those around me so they may see You and not me. It is not about me, I am not here to be recognized or be given applause for my workmanship. I do these things because You give me the ability to. If there is any wicked way in me or if I am allowing myself to become deceived, Holy Spirit bring this to the surface for me. Help me to be in true alignment to You and receive Your peace in this day. The devil attempts to bring me down but You are there extending Your grace to me and I am praising You for loving me enough to do so as I do not deserve it. I bless this day in the Name of my King Jesus Christ and receive divine peace that can only come from You. Amen.