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The Gift Of Peace
"We must receive the GIFT of peace, just like we receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit and The GIFT of salvation."
Easier said than done, right?
It is so tempting to give in to fret and worry. We worry about our children. We worry about our finances. We worry about our marriages. We worry about our health.
We worry about the state of America.
Circumstances that are out of your control are a part of life, so how do you find peace in the chaos?
peace IS A GIFT
What would you do if Jesus handed you a gift? It had the most beautiful packaging you'd ever seen and a huge bow around it? Would you simply put it aside just to admire the packaging from time to time, or would you open it? I surely hope you'd open a gift from Jesus himself! If the package was that great, how much more so is the gift inside! You must receive peace as a gift from Jesus.
John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you, 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.
Isaiah 9:6 6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
It's interesting to think about in that way, right? Much like salvation, and the Holy Spirit, peace is something you must allow yourself to receive. What good is a gift if you never open it, or take it out of the package? Whether you leave it hidden in the hall closet still wrapped with a pretty bow, or you open it and use it - the peace of God is still yours. He gave it to you, how you decide to use it is up to you.
PEACE IS A CHOICE
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
Scripture tells us to put away our anxiety and worry. Instead, we are to allow the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds. No matter what the circumstances are, or how overwhelmed you might feel, you can call on the Lord and ask for his perfect peace to surround you. Sadly, many of us would rather stress and worry than open that gift Jesus gave us. You have to make the choose to open and receive it.
1 Corinthians 14:33 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
God doesn't want you to be wrapped up in fear, anxiety, depression, worry or stress. We can only find true and perfect peace in the Lord Jesus himself. If you never make the choice to open the gift and let the Holy Spirit wrap his arms around you, then the god of this world (Satan) will continue attack your mind and eat you up inside. You have been given the power to stand against the enemy, and the gift of peace to settle your mind and spirit while you do it!
If there is something in your life that is causing you worry or stress, choose to allow peace to fall over your mind and your spirit right now. Let the Lord wash you with His peace and quiet your soul as you speak the following prayer out loud.
Prayer Lord, I confess that I haven't received the gift of peace Your Word promises. I've tried to handle things in my own strength, and as a result, I worry and fret over far too many things. I choose to receive Your peace, today! I speak to my mind right now, "In the name of Jesus, peace be still!" Father, I ask that Your perfect peace fill me now. Teach me how to live in this peace. Help me recognize that when fear, doubt, unbelief and worry attack my thoughts, I can call upon you and rest in Your presence and stand upon Your peace.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen