Peace Above Everything Else

 PEACE

What's ruling the day in our hearts?  Are we angry?  Are we anxious?  Are we confused?  Are we feeling overwhelmed?  We are encouraged by God's word today to let peace - the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

Colossians 3:15

We keep thinking that when various events are resolved that we will live in peace.  For the past couple of years it was the virus.  This year we are still dealing with the war in Ukraine and runaway inflation. Next year it will be something else.

No matter what is going on around us, Jesus told us that He would give us the gift of peace - peace of mind and heart that kept us settled in unsettling times.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

John 14:27

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of peace that Jesus is speaking about here.  We need peace in our time.  You have assured us that You can give us peace so we don't need to be troubled or afraid and so we come in faith to You asking for that gift of peace today.

Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Romans 5:1

We want to begin at the beginning and thank You for the peace Jesus won for us on the cross when He died for our sins and put us right with You.  We no longer need to have guilt or shame or anxiety about how we've failed and fallen short. 

Come Lord Jesus, live in us, forgive our sins and establish a right relationship with God for us.  Thank You for this amazing gift of peace with God.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33

And there's no doubt that life on earth won't be perfect.  There will be troubles but Your promise is that as we walk with You each day, empowered by the Holy Spirit who now lives in us, that we will overcome whatever difficulties we have to face. 

We'd rather not have any difficulties but just knowing that we will prevail gives us courage, hope, and peace.  Help us to keep this long view today and let the peace of Your presence, Your working all things for good, and Your ultimate triumph over it all fill us with settledness of mind and peace of heart. Amen