WHERE
HAS ALL THE PEACE GONE?
Daily
I meet sad, hurting people who lack the PEACE of God in their
lives. My heart goes out to these
people, and in addition to praying for them – I’d like to share what God’s
Word, and experience has brought to my life.
The
Spirit of God reminds me of a time years ago – when a friend made a special
trip to visit – just to ask one question. He started the conversation like this:
“Jeanene, you live so far beneath
what you could have. If you’ll move to the east coast, I’ll set you up in
business, and help you become a success.”
There
was not even a moment to think about his offer, not even a pause. He continued like
he was about to run out of time: “You know, I have one of the highest paying
jobs in one of the biggest firms on the east coast (manager in a stockbroker’s
firm). I have a new car every year; I just bought the home of my dreams. I have
the best of everything that money can buy; I have a social life to be envied; I
can have any relationship I want. I
HAVE the ‘American Dream’! I have it
ALL!”
Now
came the pause. A long pause.. and I
thought it must be my cue to congratulate him, and tell him how happy I was
that life had been so wonderful to him.
But I was wrong, that’s not what
he came those 3,000 miles to hear.
“…But
Jeanene – can you tell me WHERE I can find ‘Peace of mind’?!”
He
went on to describe his beautiful life, but now included the truth of it: “All of the stuff that I own, the biggest
and most expensive of anything I want – does not give me one moments
peace! I don’t sleep at night; I find
no reason to get up in the morning; I have to drink to get through the day; and
happiness has somehow escaped me.”
“When I look at your life – I clearly see
that you have nothing! Your life is not wonderful or beautiful (MANY years
ago); actually you have NOTHING – yet, in all the years I’ve known you – I have
never seen you without ‘peace’ - where
do I buy that?” Needless
to say… Peace is not something anyone can buy.
In
younger years, I was not often a BOLD witness for Christ; but this time
something rose up on the inside of me (The Holy Spirit of God) – and I
could not of kept quiet I’d tried! I
KNEW THE ANSWER to this one. Praise
God!! :O)
One
of the Names that God calls His Son is “Shalom.”
Jesus
is our Peace, and outside of Him – there is NO Peace.
You
may be facing situations in YOUR life today, and may find yourself in the same
boat as this young man was… you may not know PEACE in your life
either. My prayer is that RIGHT NOW,
as you read this article, that you
will move over into that supernatural peace – and stay there, no matter what
comes. Amen?
Hosea
4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing
thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. My
people perish for lack of knowledge.”
Prov:29:18:
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy
is he.
John
8:32 “You shall know the truth, and it shall make you free.”
Just
reading the truth does NOT set us free; it is the truth that we KNOW
that sets us free. Amen?
When
we read God’s Word - and get His truth
down into our spirit and into our soul – until we KNOW it as well as we
know our own thoughts – THEN it
becomes LIFE (is quickened to us) and brings change. Amen?
Ø
Do you lack PEACE of mind?
Ø
What does God say about Peace?
Ø
Is Peace something that everyone can have?
Ø
Can we actually stay inside of peace, no
matter what is going on around us? YES!
YES! YES! Praise God!!
Ø
How do I find that Peace? So GLAD you asked!!
Is it really possible to live inside of
“Peace”? In this world? Today? Yes it
is! I can promise you – if you go after Peace, Peace will live at your
house! I wont take the time and room to
go into the details of my life, but I will tell you that now matter WHAT life
brings your way, no matter how HARD the day seems to be – we CAN stay under the
covering of God’s peace, and rest there!
I.
Read God’s WORD daily!
Prov:4:4: He taught
me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my
commandments, and live.
Prov:4:21:
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
Romans
12:2 Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God. renew your mind DAILY in The Word.”
Proverbs
3:1-2 “My son, forget not my law: but
let your heart keep my commandments: length of days and long life and PEACE,
they will add to you.”
John:6:63:
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I
speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Eph:6:15:
And shod your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace;
Even
if you only have time to read one Scripture today – do it! Read a scripture
about the Peace of God; then through out the day chew on that Word (To
“meditate” = to chew, to mull over in your mind), and let it become LIFE
to you!
Now
days, word studies are made easy.
A: Most Bibles have a small concordance in the back… look up the words “Peace”
– “strife” – “joy” – “rest” – “unrest”
etc.
B:
there are “Exhausted Concordances” Pocket Books: “Pocket Promises” - “Promises
to Live By” and many more, which list scriptures by topic.
C:
There are many wonderful books written by Spirit-led authors that cover about
ever topic.
If
you don’t want to search it out for yourself, or don’t have the time, find a
good book that does the work for you.
1.
This Strombolis Online-Magazine offers you TWO trusted ‘reports’ on good books
and anointed authors. You could email
either of them, and I’m sure they could help you find just the books you need.
Look for: “Jamie’sChoice” and “Read’s Report”
2:
Your Local Bible Book Store or Christian Web sites will also give you
direction.
3:
Anointed Authors that I personally recommend:
Gloria
Copeland TD
Jakes
Jesse
Duplantis Rod
Parsley
John
& Lisa Bevere Maryland
Hickey
Kenneth
Copeland Maryland
Hickey
Kenneth
Hagin Miles
Monroe
II. god’s will for you is peace!!
Lk:24:36:
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith
unto them, Peace be unto you.
Rom:14:17:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom:15:13:
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may
abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Jn:14:27:
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jn:16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world.
Acts:10:36:
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus
Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Rom:5:1:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ:
Rom:10:15:
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful
are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of
good things!
Rom:15:33:
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Are
we in agreement with GOD… or with the thief?
John 10:10 “The thief comes to kill,
steal and destroy.
But
I (Jesus) come to give you LIFE! And life in abundance!”
“Where
there is strife, there is every evil work.”
III.
GUARD YOUR HEART!
Proverbs 4:23 Keep
thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Col
3:15: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Philippians
4:6-7 ”Do not be anxious about anything! But in everything, by payer 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
4:8 Finally brethren (and sistren), whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me – put it into
PRACTICE. And the GOD OF PEACE will be
with you.
Mt:15:18:
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and
they defile the man.
Lk:6:45:
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is
good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that
which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
IV. WATCH
WHAT YOU SAY!
1 Peter 3:10: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Proverbs 19:21-22 “The power of death and life are in your tongue; and
you will eat the fruit of it!”
Matthew
15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh
out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Luke
19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou
wicked servant.
Matthew 12:36 But I
say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment.
James
3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we
turn about their whole body.
Proverbs
8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil
way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs
4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the
words of my mouth.
Proverbs
6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words
of thy mouth.
Proverbs
10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the
mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs
10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near
destruction.
Proverbs
12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth:
Prov:13:3:
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips
shall have destruction.
Prov:15:23:
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how
good is it!
Prov:21:23:
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
(to
mention a few!)
Do
you speak PEACE over your life and your home; or do you curse it with
the death of strife and bitterness?
TRUTH:
Ø The
picture of OUR FUTURE is painted with the brush called the “tongue.”
Ø
The Seeds you plant with your words
today – is the garden of life that you will live in tomorrow!
Ø
Be CAREFUL what you SAY – you WILL eat
those words!
?
What are you saying about your self?
?
Your family?
?
Your relationships?
?
What are you SAYING about the situation that is trying to rob your peace?
Deut:30:19: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore
choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.
V.
PLANT PEACE – GET PEACE!
Galatians
6:7 “Be not mocked! What ever a man sows, THAT is what he WILL reap!
Luke
6:38 “Do not judge, and you will not be
judged! Do not condemn, and you will
not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be
given back to you; A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running
over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measure
to you.”
If
you give a cup of STRIFE (lies; anger; harsh words; etc.) to
another – God will use that cup to fill up, run over and send back to you – by
way of man!
If
you measure out a bucket of PEACE (kindness; gentleness; love;
encouragement; wisdom; friendship; reassurance.) to another – God will use
that bucket to fill up, run over, and send back to you by way of man!
WE
CHOOSE what comes our way!
Deut:30:15:
See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
Deut:30:19:
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before
you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou
and thy seed may live:
Rom:2:10:
But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first,
and also to the Gentile:
VI.
STRESS AND PEACE CAN NOT LIVE TOGETHER!
Stress
causes: division; anger; strife; sickness; spiritual decay. It robs us of the
PEACE that God already gave! Is it okay to be stressed? NO!
James
3:16 For where there is envying and strife is, there is confusion and every
evil work!
Proverbs
16:28: A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separates chief friends.
Proverbs
20:3: It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be
meddling.
1
Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.
1
Cor 7:15 . . . God hath called us to peace.
2
Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect (“mature”), be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and THEN the God of love and peace
shall be with you.
PEACE is VITAL TO each of us,
To Our body, soul & spirit.
So…. Get PEACE!
VII.
HOLD ON TO PEACE with TRUST and REJOICEING!
Prov:3:5:
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
Psalms 37:3-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He
will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in
Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Psalms
31:14-16 I trust in You, O Lord; I say:
‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and
from those who pursue me. Let Your face shine on me, Your servant; save me in
Your unfailing love.
Isaiah
46:3-5 Listen to Me! I created you. I cared for you, since your were bone! I
will be your God through all your lifetime. Yes, even when your hair is white
with age! I made you! I will care for you! I will carry you along and be Your
Savior!
Psalms
37:23 KJV The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in
his way.
Philippians
4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who
is my strength!
Mark
10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not
with God: for with God all things are possible!
Proverbs 18:10 The
Name of the Lord is a strong tower – the righteous run into it and are safe.
Jeremiah
29:11 I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘plans to prosper
you and to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
Col
3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are
called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Philippians
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!
1Thes:5:18: In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
VIII.
THE NAME OF JESUS IS SHALOM!
Proverbs 18:10 “The
Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower: The righteous run into it and are safe.”
I
love the word “Shalom”
it
is such a FULL and pointed word!
Ø Shalom
is one of God’s life-changing Names!
Ø Shalom
means “Peace.”
Ø It
also means: “Nothing missing, nothing lacking.”
Ø It
is my understanding that it was a greeting used by believers, in the days that
being a believer was a death sentence. And with that one word they blessed each
other with:
“May the God of Peace rule you
and your household
and make you whole!”
1Thes:5:23: And the
very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So
today, I leave you with one word:
Shalom!
