Peace (devotionals)

 From Behold the Lilies...

"They fell on their faces and were sore afraid.  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." - Matthew 17:6-8

The secret to having peace in a troubled world is Jesus.  Nothing, however threatening, can touch us if our focus is on JESUS ONLY, the one who is in full control.

A minister once said that fear is like a telescope: it focuses on a specific issue and magnifies it.  What we fear becomes oppressive to us and rises to become an authority over us.  If we fear people, circumstances, or the future, the fear oppresses us and controls us.  Like Peter on the waves, if we focus on our own weakness in the face of overwhelming situations, we will be engulfed and sink.

Fear distorts our vision.  It magnifies the problem and minimizes God's unlimited grace and power.  In essence, it judges the almighty God to be incapable and insufficient to control His own creation and to meet our needs.

When we focus on God and remember that He is on control of everything and everyone, our vision will be clear and our fears will be quenched.  Let us not look around or within, but up, that we may see JESUS ONLY.

From A Celebration of the Simple Life ...

Perfect Peace

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." - Isaiah 26:3

I always feel a sense of peace when I'm visiting one of our Amish friend's homes.  Some people may believe that the Amish are peaceful because they live close to the land - surrounded by farm animals, growing crops, flowers, and trees.  However, I believe that the Amish feel a sense of peace because of their sincere faith in God.

Life can be difficult at times, but nothing can separate us from God's love.  God gives all believers a sense of peace if they keep their eyes on Him and not on the things of this world.  It's comforting to know that God keeps the earth rotating and the seasons changing.  He makes the sun rise every morning and sets the sun at just the right time each evening.  All that God does should remind us that He is in control, which will give us a perfect peace.  When you go to bed tonight, you can relax in the knowledge that God is in control and sleep in peace. 

Heavenly Father, when I have a peaceful attitude, it's so much easier to cope.  May Your perfect peace, which passes understanding, fill my soul today.  Amen.