Peace: Peace is the 3rd fruit. Peace is a state of tranquility or serenity. Peace embodies stillness. The Greek eirene is equivalent to the Hebrew shalom which means wholeness, completeness, or tranquility in the soul that is unaffected by the outward circumstances or pressures. Jesus is known as the "Prince of Peace". I take that to mean he is the bringer of wholeness. He fills the gap between us and God. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." He died so we could have peace. Divine peace is very important in that we are told by Jesus not to be afraid.
This is what I really need right now. Strangely enough today I have been scattered and frustrated because Aidan's first soccer game is tomorrow and as per military life my husband just informed me yesterday that he will not be able to go because he has to teach land navigation tomorrow night. I have family as well that I know would love to be present but cant and I'd like to document this important even in Aidan's life. Well my camera does video but it's not really good quality and it only does a couple of minutes at a time. I have a miniDVD camera that could work but I am AFRAID it will wimp out on me because it hasn't been able to finalize disks. I am even having problems writing this now, though it's really what I want to do cause I just can't stop obsessing about it. Now why am I stressed? I just read a verse that clearly stated that I should not be afraid. I have been told before that it's not a God problem it's a faith problem. Do I believe that God can give me peace? Do I believe what the Bible says is true? That is a resounding YES! But if I really believed I wouldn't be stressed at all right because I would know that God has got me and nothing bad can happen? My only choice is to give it to God. I need to let go, because I know in my heart that while my brain is raging over this problem I'm drowning out the sound of God calling to me.
There are so many things in this life we cannot control. There are distractions at every turn, disappointments around every corner. That is the importance of staying focused on God. When he is your center there is no way for you to feel anything but peace. Will I die if I cant record Aidan's frist game? No. Will I die without Jesus and his peace? Yes. It's not a hard equation to understand. So as I continue in this frustrating day I am praying for Gods peace to envelop me. Calm my spirit, take my fear. Free me from this prison I have built up around me so I can live and thrive in YOUR light and peace. I pray the same thing for you today too. It doesn't make the bad stuff go away but somehow when you feel God close to you it feels smaller, more manageable. With God ANYTHING is possible. The camera thing might seem small but it's what I'm dealing with today and I have confidence that even if it was something bigger God would be there holding me up. That's my thoughts for today.
Hi Rikka, Your writings are wonderful! This could work out to be an amazing ministry for you as people join!
ReplyDeleteThe fruits you are teaching on will help us to be a "Spirit controlled" man. These fruits represent what God wants in each of His children.
They are not a result of our own human effort, but the supernatural result of the Holy Spirit controlling every area of our life. It is my conviction that every child of God longs to live this kind of life. The more we work at displaying these characteristics we will become a happier, well adjusted,, mature, fruitful human being. It is not easy, but as you have said, "God will carry us" sometimes.
In Galatians Paul describes not only the works of the natural man without the Spirit, but also the natural emotions: hatred, contentions, jealousies, out bursts of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies and envy. Galatians 5:20-21
Thank you for reminding us that the characteristic of peace is two fold. Jesus said "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you." John 14:27 This is the peace that speaks of Jesus living within us and is the result of salvation by faith.
When an individual takes Jesus at His word, invites Him into his life, God`s forgiveness really grasps his heart, that is when the individual has the "peace of God."( Romans 5:1)
*As you mentioned the Spirit-filled Christian has a second peace. The peace of an untroubled heart. John 14:27 tells us, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
The peace of God (through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter)is an antidote to worry, it is not automatically possessed by Christians, as at the peace of God-peace untroubled in the face of difficult circumstances.
Take a group of Christians as a whole; when problems arise, many will fret and worry while only a few will have enough inner peace to trust God to take care of the circumstances.
Circumstances are subject to change-and should never be a base for our peace.
Real consistant peace is found as we look to God and allow the Holy Spirit to supply us with one of lifes greatest treasures "the peace of God". "Let your requests be made known.....in everything by prayer...and be the peace of God...which surpasses all understanding."Phil.4:6-7
It does not matter how small the thing is that brings pain, aggravation, anger and sadness to your heart. God wants to hear and heal all of our hurts and disapointments.
During these times of aggravations and annoyances try to think of this passage "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have over come the world."
Bless you Rikka, your thougts are really encouraging!
I`m going to memorize these scriptures myself because until we get to Heaven, the ride gets bumpy! Sometimes it seems like the enemy is coming at us from all sides, but thats ok because we have Jesus living in our heart and we have put on our armor. It`s not easy, but He loves you so much.