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Do You Long for Peace?

“The mob rocked our friends’ cars. Kids were inside. They’ve threatened to target our kids on the school buses. Some women are taking their kids back to the states. I’m thinking of taking Kristin back.”

On April 14, 1986, America bombed Libya to retaliate for the country’s sponsorship of terrorism against Americans. We lived off base near Aviano Air Base in Italy, not far from terrorist headquarters.

Different threats today, but frightening circumstances bombard us.

What do you long for? Peace? Courage? Contentment? Boldness?

God is near. He protects, provides, and empowers.

“These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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 14:25-27)

brown bird flying near mountain
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Jesus knew that the cross was before Him; yet, He had peace.

The disciples’ hopes and dreams were going to be shattered. But Jesus wanted them to know that He was not deserting them. They were going to receive two gifts that would sustain them: the Holy Spirit and peace.

7 Reasons to Rejoice in the Holy Spirit

  1. The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life, John 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:8, Titus 3:5.
  2. The Holy Spirit in us guarantees that we have eternal life with God, and considers our bodies as His holy temple, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19.
  3. Our Advocate or Comforter convicts the world of its sin, God’s righteousness, and judgment, John 16:8.
  4. Our Helper teaches us and guides us, John 14:17, John 14:26, 1 John 2:27, Galatians 5:16.
  5. The Holy Spirit empowers us or gives us boldness when we need it, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:31.
  6. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts, like faith, healing, miracles prophecy, tongues, and more, 1 Corinthians 12:8.
  7. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 5:5, Romans 15:30.

7 Reasons to Rejoice in Peace

“In the Bible the word for peace, [sic] shalom, never means simply the absence of trouble. It means everything which makes for our highest good. The peace which the world offers us is the peace of escape, the peace which comes from the avoidance of trouble and from refusing to face things.” (Barclay)

  1. God gives His people peace and blesses peacemakers, Psalm 29:11, Psalm 35:27, Matthew 5:9.
  2. The Prince of Peace is our peace, Isaiah 9:6, John 16:33.
  3. Jesus heals and encourages us to live in peace, an assurance of salvation, Mark 5:34.
  4. The Good News is that we have peace with God through Jesus, Acts 10:36, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 6:15.
  5. The Kingdom of God consists of living a life of goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17.
  6. God’s peace guards our hearts and minds, as we live in Jesus, Romans 8:6, Philippians 4:7.
  7. The Holy Spirit grows peace in our lives, Galatians 5:22.

“Knowing that Jesus has overcome the world brings us good cheer. It is the foundation for our peace in Him,” David Guzik.

Peace Can Be Yours

Whatever the trials we face, we can rejoice as the Holy Spirit reminds us that Jesus has given us His peace, a peace beyond our understanding.

Although the trials were great at Aviano Air Base, Kristin and I stayed with Keith.

The threats continued, and base entrances were guarded by soldiers in armored personnel carriers … 50 caliber machine guns on top and pointed at entering vehicles. We’d stop as soldiers examined our IDs, ran mirrors under our car, and waited on the canines to check us out.

Caution was preeminent, but God gave us an extra dose of His perfect peace, a peace that enables a Christ-follower to sleep in the storms of life, Mark 8:24.

He will give you peace, too. Ask Jesus to give you His peace through the Holy Spirit, today.

Our heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to become our Comforter, Advocate, Teacher, Guide, and Cultivator of fruit. You have blessed us by sending the Prince of Peace to show us the path of peace and to breath on us His peace. May we live in Your peace through the Holy Spirit. Amen

What gives you peace?

One response to “Do You Long for Peace?”

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Father, You are love, and You have given us so many gifts, but the greatest of these is Your love. Your love is patient and kind. May we reflect Your patience and kindness. Your love isn't focused on Yourself but on others. May we abandon our self-centered focus and rejoice with Your truth. Jesus, You bore all things. You bore our sins on the cross so that we could live with You forever. Holy Spirit, empower us to bear all things, for we believe that You are transforming us. We hope in our God Almighty, and that enables us to endure all things. Your love never ends. Thank You, Father. Amen. Father, we rejoice in where You have placed us this day. Help us to see You in all that we do and in all that we encounter. We know that You have us in Your hand, and You are working Your perfect will in us. May we bless You and all those we see today. Thank You that Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Forever. In Jesus' name, amen. Are you anxious? Troubled? Fearful? Want peace even in the midst of the storms in your life? Call out to God. He is near, and He loves you. “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” (Matthew 6:28-29) Our spiritual worship starts with surrender to God. If God is for you, who can be against you? Who will charge you? Who condemns you? Who will separate you from Christ's love? God loved you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to pay the price for your sins, so that you could live forever basking in His love. “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; May you bask in God's blessings and rest in His peace.

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