Shalom, tranquility, well-being, restoration, reconciliation with God
Editor's Note: This post published in August 2016 was modified August 1, 2018
I recently completed a seven day bible reading plan on the topic of peace. One of the instructions for the plan is after reading the scripture for the was to reflect on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.
This post are my reflections over the seven days of the plan.
Day 1
John 14:26-27 (NLT)26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
27 “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.
Peace isn’t a given Today there is the fear of terrorist attacks and civil disorder. Fear created by those running for political office that pits races, religions, and those with different sexual orientations against against each anxiety over the economy, health scares over new diseases or old one for which there is no cure, fear of being alone, on and on.
Even though we Christians live in a world with all this fear around us and who go through the same issues, situations, and circumstances, we have been given a gift from God and that gift is peace.
The scripture today says that God the Father would send the Holy Spirit and that He would remind us things. Those things are in the Bible, His Word. In the midst of all this turmoil the Holy Spirit will remind us of all the promises from God that include His peace.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 (NLT)27 “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.
Matthew 6:25 (NLT)25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
At those times I become anxious because I don’t think I’ll have enough money to pay my bills, eat, or deal with emergencies I pray and acknowledge my anxiety, but I also remember that at similar times I had the same anxiety and God was faithful to do what He said that he would do and I was no longer anxious. I had been given the gift of peace. The young man who leads a bible study at my church often reminds us that when we pray God may not answer right away or He may no answer in the way we envisioned or would like but we can be sure that He will always give us peace.
Day 2
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)1 Therefore, 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.2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and completed work on the cross I have peace with God. I’m no longer an enemy but according to Jesus a friend like Abraham.
John 15:15 (NLT)15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
James 2:23 (NLT)23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
This friendship was possible, not because I did anything to deserve it. God Himself initiated it by His grace. My little part of this was to accept this undeserved friendship in faith. Faith that Jesus is the Son of God and through His death I am somehow forgiven of all my sins and made right with God. I now have the privilege of being able to boldly come into the presence of the Almighty God seeking His mercy and grace. As the old hymn says “What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer”
Yes “I Am A Friend of God”
Israel Houghton – I Am A Friend Of God Lyrics
VERSE:
Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it's amazing (Who am I Lord)
CHORUS:
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend
BRIDGE:
God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend
Day 3
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Here Philippians 4:6-7 again. It was part of my reflection on Day 1. God apparently wants me to really internalize the fact that I shouldn't worry about anything. If there are things that keep popping up in my mind, and there are some, I’m not to dwell on them to the point of anxiety or making quick, snap decisions which often make matters worse. I’m to talk to Him about the situation, make my request and then wait. It works time and time again so I thank you Lord for reminding me and giving me peace in that matter. You have come through in the past with the solution and I know that if I put my trust in You, that you will do it again. That gives me peace and for that I thank you.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28 (NLT)28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Psalm 34:17 (NLT)17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
I could go on and on.
I recently completed a seven day bible reading plan on the topic of peace. One of the instructions for the plan is after reading the scripture for the was to reflect on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.
This post are my reflections over the seven days of the plan.
Day 1
John 14:26-27 (NLT)26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
27 “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.
Peace isn’t a given Today there is the fear of terrorist attacks and civil disorder. Fear created by those running for political office that pits races, religions, and those with different sexual orientations against against each anxiety over the economy, health scares over new diseases or old one for which there is no cure, fear of being alone, on and on.
Even though we Christians live in a world with all this fear around us and who go through the same issues, situations, and circumstances, we have been given a gift from God and that gift is peace.
The scripture today says that God the Father would send the Holy Spirit and that He would remind us things. Those things are in the Bible, His Word. In the midst of all this turmoil the Holy Spirit will remind us of all the promises from God that include His peace.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 (NLT)27 “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.
Matthew 6:25 (NLT)25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
At those times I become anxious because I don’t think I’ll have enough money to pay my bills, eat, or deal with emergencies I pray and acknowledge my anxiety, but I also remember that at similar times I had the same anxiety and God was faithful to do what He said that he would do and I was no longer anxious. I had been given the gift of peace. The young man who leads a bible study at my church often reminds us that when we pray God may not answer right away or He may no answer in the way we envisioned or would like but we can be sure that He will always give us peace.
Day 2
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)1 Therefore, 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.2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and completed work on the cross I have peace with God. I’m no longer an enemy but according to Jesus a friend like Abraham.
John 15:15 (NLT)15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
James 2:23 (NLT)23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
This friendship was possible, not because I did anything to deserve it. God Himself initiated it by His grace. My little part of this was to accept this undeserved friendship in faith. Faith that Jesus is the Son of God and through His death I am somehow forgiven of all my sins and made right with God. I now have the privilege of being able to boldly come into the presence of the Almighty God seeking His mercy and grace. As the old hymn says “What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer”
Yes “I Am A Friend of God”
Israel Houghton – I Am A Friend Of God Lyrics
VERSE:
Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it's amazing (Who am I Lord)
CHORUS:
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend
BRIDGE:
God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend
Day 3
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Here Philippians 4:6-7 again. It was part of my reflection on Day 1. God apparently wants me to really internalize the fact that I shouldn't worry about anything. If there are things that keep popping up in my mind, and there are some, I’m not to dwell on them to the point of anxiety or making quick, snap decisions which often make matters worse. I’m to talk to Him about the situation, make my request and then wait. It works time and time again so I thank you Lord for reminding me and giving me peace in that matter. You have come through in the past with the solution and I know that if I put my trust in You, that you will do it again. That gives me peace and for that I thank you.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28 (NLT)28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Psalm 34:17 (NLT)17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
I could go on and on.
Blessed are the peacemakers
Day 4
Matthew 5:7-9 (NLT)7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
he first three days have concentrated on what God will do for us but today I’m encouraged to help others find peace. When I work for peace between me and others or to help others find the peace that I have in God He calls me His child. How can I work for peace? God has shown me through a bible study and a sermon that the way to be a peacemaker is to initiate Him in the love He has for me. That love is agape the kind of loved that caused God in His grace to save me through the work of Christ on the cross. That kind of love is undeserved and candy be earned. That’s the kind of love that Jesus said I should have for everybody, even my enemies. If I’m born of God I should love like God
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Matthew 5:25-26 (NLT)25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:44 (NLT)44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
1 John 4:7-8 (NLT)7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Only then can we be the peacemakers that God wants us to be to show the way that man can can be positioned to be at peace with God.
Romans 5:1 (NLT)1 Therefore, 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.
Day 5
Psalm 34:14 (NLT)14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
When our search is for peace we won’t have time for evil. Our attention will be directed on God and serving Him. God has already decided the works that, as His children, we are to do and those works are always good.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Matthew 7:17-20 (NLT)17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Titus 2:14 (NLT)14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 3:1 (NLT)1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Titus 3:8 (NLT)8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Day 6
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
To be dominated is to be controlled. That means that our thoughts which lead to actions are controlled. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve all humans were born with a sin nature some of us may not have been dominated by it but although we did not actively sin we were not able to please God because we were separated from him by sin and that is spiritual death. Sinful actions can cause physical death of course, but what is meant here is that and more it’s spiritual death which is eternal separation from God where there will be eternal torment.
The Holy Spirit gave me this scripture.
Ephesians 5:18-19 (NLT)18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
We are commanded to be filled (controlled) by the Holy Spirit. That means I can do it or not do it. I choose to be controlled (filled) by the Holy Spirit. If I’m filled then I will search to do those things which lead to peace not only with God but with man.
Day 7
Romans 14:17-19 (NLT)17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
This scripture sums it all up. Peace is a gift from God. It’s nothing we can earn. We can strive for it, pray for it, work for it but in the final analysis it’s a gift. If we accept it as a gift then and serve Christ knowing that then God is pleased and because we have become peacemakers through the Holy Spirit, people will be pleased with us also. For our part we should work to have the gift of peace work through me in the church and if others do the same we will all be built up.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Philippians 4:7 (NLT)7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 5:7-9 (NLT)7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
he first three days have concentrated on what God will do for us but today I’m encouraged to help others find peace. When I work for peace between me and others or to help others find the peace that I have in God He calls me His child. How can I work for peace? God has shown me through a bible study and a sermon that the way to be a peacemaker is to initiate Him in the love He has for me. That love is agape the kind of loved that caused God in His grace to save me through the work of Christ on the cross. That kind of love is undeserved and candy be earned. That’s the kind of love that Jesus said I should have for everybody, even my enemies. If I’m born of God I should love like God
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Matthew 5:25-26 (NLT)25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:44 (NLT)44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
1 John 4:7-8 (NLT)7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Only then can we be the peacemakers that God wants us to be to show the way that man can can be positioned to be at peace with God.
Romans 5:1 (NLT)1 Therefore, 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.
Day 5
Psalm 34:14 (NLT)14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
When our search is for peace we won’t have time for evil. Our attention will be directed on God and serving Him. God has already decided the works that, as His children, we are to do and those works are always good.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Matthew 7:17-20 (NLT)17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
Titus 2:14 (NLT)14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 3:1 (NLT)1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Titus 3:8 (NLT)8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Day 6
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
To be dominated is to be controlled. That means that our thoughts which lead to actions are controlled. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve all humans were born with a sin nature some of us may not have been dominated by it but although we did not actively sin we were not able to please God because we were separated from him by sin and that is spiritual death. Sinful actions can cause physical death of course, but what is meant here is that and more it’s spiritual death which is eternal separation from God where there will be eternal torment.
The Holy Spirit gave me this scripture.
Ephesians 5:18-19 (NLT)18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
We are commanded to be filled (controlled) by the Holy Spirit. That means I can do it or not do it. I choose to be controlled (filled) by the Holy Spirit. If I’m filled then I will search to do those things which lead to peace not only with God but with man.
Day 7
Romans 14:17-19 (NLT)17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
This scripture sums it all up. Peace is a gift from God. It’s nothing we can earn. We can strive for it, pray for it, work for it but in the final analysis it’s a gift. If we accept it as a gift then and serve Christ knowing that then God is pleased and because we have become peacemakers through the Holy Spirit, people will be pleased with us also. For our part we should work to have the gift of peace work through me in the church and if others do the same we will all be built up.
The Holy Spirit also brought these other scriptures to mind.
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Philippians 4:7 (NLT)7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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