Perfect Peace

Jesus reminds His troubled Disciples that He is still the Prince of Peace, and just because He is leaving, that doesn't mean He will remove His peace.

John 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.

Believers have that same assurance today, even as our world is in turmoil. It’s a Heavenly peace that defies all description.

Our response in times of trouble is to lean on the peace of Jesus and trust Him to take care of His own.

Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

God Is Real

Is prayer an exercise in futility -- like sending words into the air?  The Apostle Paul would say, “God forbid!”

God wants us to believe He is real when we pray -- to have faith. Faith prayer is a humble heart approaching a Holy, Heavenly Father.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Because God is real, prayer is real.  Because God is real, there’s power in prayer.  Rest in that hope and exercise your right to enter His presence. Seek Him diligently for your deepest need.

Live In Victory

According to the Bible, born again children of God are a victorious people. We can’t always see it. We don’t always feel it. We don’t always live like it, but it’s true.

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These are words of hope, peace and encouragement to those who feel discouraged and overwhelmed by life.

The love of God for His children is so vast, so deep, and so far reaching that God wants us to know that nothing can ever come between us.

Seek the Lord, confess any sin in your life. Ask Him for cleansing and help to live in victory even when you feel defeated.

God's Schedule

Deity doesn’t run on our schedule. God is not bound by constraints of time and space. It may surprise you, but He doesn’t even own a clock or a calendar.

The delays of life are designed to increase our faith.

You take a Joseph and throw him in a pit, then into slavery, then in to prison. Out of that delay God will give you the Prime Minister of Egypt and a man of God.

When God doesn’t move as quickly as you like, trust Him anyway.

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Amazing Grace

However you define it, the grace of God is what makes the difference in every life it touches. The Apostle Paul seemed to wish it on every church he wrote letters to.

Romans 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Grace is the merciful kindness by which God turns sinners to Christ. Jesus forgives their sins and painful past when they believe on Him.

Grace keeps, strengthens, and increases them in the Christian faith when thy let Him.

In short, “Grace” is the unmerited love and favor of God.

God provided a Savior to cleanse us, a Spirit to draw us, and a plan to save us. Grace is totally sovereign. It is something that God does for men and women.

When you seek the face of Jesus, you will find grace. That’s why they call it amazing.

Freedom Is Not Free

I see a horrid cost of the Korean War when I watch “Mash”.

In 1964 while playing the piano for a gospel group, we shared the stage with a young quartet whose handsome base singer was leaving for Vietnam within a week. We heard he died shortly thereafter.

War is ugly. How do you adequately say “thank you” to those fighting and dying for their country? I don’t know.

We have freedom because many gave the ultimate sacrifice in it's defense. We honor them this Memorial Day.

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

Jesus died on a cross for us when we were His enemies because He loved us. Those who believe on him receive freedom from their sins.

The God Who Understands

I am certainly not suggesting that it’s ever OK to wallow in self-pity even if Job did. Well, I guess he had a pretty good reason.

But I am saying that sometimes life hurts and when it does we have a God Who understands, One Who cares about His children   --  like a Shepherd cares for His Sheep.

Psalm 34:1, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

The Lord can give you peace and happiness when you seek Him.

Why not praise Him for His grace in your life -- the blessings we sometimes forget.