The world has only been in peace eight percent of the time. Over eight thousand treaties have been made and broken.
 
Hebrews 13:20,21  Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen
 
It doesn’t say the God of wrath or anger, it says the God of peace – a peace in the midst of storms – a peace in the heart when everyone else is in turmoil. We will never know true peace outside of the will of God. That doesn’t mean the outside world is peaceful with you, it means seeking God’s will and doing it.
 
If you are living without the peace of God, pray and read your bible. God’s peace will mold you and make you a servant of His will.

While cleaning up after supper I hear the mega-million lottery is up to six-hundred forty million dollars and the drawing is tonight. “It could be you,” the TV announcer said. It won’t be me because I didn’t lotterize. Long lines, high hopes, and day dreams seem to make people giddy. The chance of winning is compared to being attacked by a lion and polar bear the same day.
 
I dare say that not a few have already paid off their mortgage and quit their job by wishful thinking. Other than material things, will the winner be happier a year from now or will he or she be sad? Will the win affect a relationship with God, for better or worse?
 
If the mega-million winner put all the money in God’s hands, can you imagine the result?

 The Bible is a love letter from God to us, written in red with the blood of Jesus.

Romans 5:8:  But God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

God took the very jewel of heaven and put him on the cross so you can experience an amazing love.  

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

That is speaking of me and you and the whole world, even people on skid row. None of us deserve it and nothing can separate us from it.

Matthes 11:28  Come unto me all ye that labour and are heave laden, and I will give you rest.

Some people try to clean themselves up before coming to God. Come as you are with simple faith. That's all. You can't earn God's love or work your way into heaven by good works. 

In creation we see His hand. At Calvary we see His heart. Have you been to the cross for salvation? Do you know this amazing love? Have you left your first love?

Anger is a natural emotion, but out of control it becomes a problem. Gary Ginter, a psychologist who specializes in anger management offers the following solutions for anger control.
 
1. Relax
2. Think positive
3. Fix the situation
4. Slow down and think about what you say
5. Get away for fifteen minutes to regroup and refresh
 
The Bible gives the following solutions for anger control:
 
James 1: 19,20 Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Matthew 6:14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Peer pressure is alive and well in all levels of society. Like a magnet, it often pulls adolescents in the wrong direction. Some politicians lose courage to govern honestly due to peer pressure. How many family budgets falter, trying to impress others.
 
Trying to appease his wife, Herodias, King Herod ordered John the Baptist’s head cut off, He had him put in jail for saying it was unlawful to marry his brother’s wife, but he certainly didn’t want him killed.
 
Mark 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly.
 
Instead of doing the right thing, Herod gave in to peer pressure. People who worry about thoughts of others are their slave.

The altar is a place of renewal. God instructed Joshua to renew the Jewish law of circumcision after the Isrealites forsook it during their journey through the wilderness. He obeyed. Do you need to renew vows to God. 

The altar is a place of spiritual inventory. When the prophet Isaiah saw in a vision his Lord high and lifted up on His thrown, he fell on his face and said, "Woe is me."  He saw his need of a trip to the altar to see who he really was in God's sight.

How long has it been since you opened your heart to God and took inventory of patience, compassion or love for one another? The following song is appropriate.

Search me oh God, and know my heart today
Try me oh Savior, know my thoughts I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free

Meeting God on His terms is an altar experience. You can do it at home, at church, or while driving down the road.