Tag Archives: peace

August 11, 2025 · 5:34 AM

Finding Peace

There have been many times in my life where circumstances wanted to rule my emotions and dictate my behavior. We all face these stresses in life. Sometimes they’re from a monetary circumstance, a relationship, a job or sickness. If we allow worry and stress to consume our mind, we will be a mess.its hard not to let them rule your thoughts life during those times. What do those thoughts and emotions accomplish or solve? Nothing. The best advice I heard someone give was that you can’t control your circumstances or the chaos in your life, but you can control where your thoughts live. Keep them on the One who can control those things and you will have peace.

In Daniel 6, Daniel faced people who didn’t like him and were trying to set traps for him. They were trying to ruin his career, his reputation and his life. He didn’t let it rattle him. He continued stopping everything he was doing several times a day to pray. When the king had him put in the lion’s den, we don’t hear anything out of Daniel. The king was stressed over it and couldn’t sleep. However, Daniel kept his thoughts in check and had peace while he was surrounded by lions. Even though he should have been devoured by his circumstance, he wasn’t and God delivered him.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (NLT) God offers us peace in any circumstance we face if we will keep our thoughts fixed on Him. A good way to do that is to look up God’s promises, His names and other Bible verses where God delivered people. You can also spend time in focused prayer where you shut out the world and get alone with God. He is the One who gives wisdom, bring healing, provides and sees you. If you want peace in whatever comes your way, start by fixing your thoughts on Him.

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May 16, 2025 · 6:04 AM

Bringing Peace

In a world full of chaos, restlessness and division, we can choose to stir up those things or we can choose to bring peace. The easier choice is to let our emotions control us and match the emotions of others. However, when we have the Holy Spirit in us, one of the fruits that we are to have evident in our life is peace, not strife. The words we choose, the attitude we have and the posture we take in situations should be one of peace. There is enough chaos in this world. What we need more of is the peace that only Jesus can give. Our lives should bring His peace into every situation.

Here are some Bible verses on bringing peace:

1. How joyful you are when you make peace! For then you will be recognized as a true child of God.

Matthew 5:9 TPT

2. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

Proverbs 12:20 NLT

3. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7 AMP

4. Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.

Proverbs 15:18 GNT

5. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:18 NKJV

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December 3, 2024 · 5:45 AM

God’s Gift Of Peace

On the night Jesus was born into this world, the Bible says there were shepherds tending their flocks near Bethlehem. Out of nowhere an Angel appeared and scared them. He immediately tried to calm their fears by telling them not to be afraid. He told them he was bringing the good news of the Savior’s birth. Then suddenly a heavenly host of angels appeared with him and they began to sing and glorify God. Luke 2:12 says they sang, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (NLT). Their announcement was a reminder to us that God sent the Prince of Peace to earth to bring us peace no matter our situation.

On the night Jesus was to be betrayed and handed over to be crucified, He wanted to reassure the disciples. In John 16:33 He told them, “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.” Jesus didn’t come to take away our troubles or sorrows. Instead He has promised us peace in the midst of them. It’s a peace that goes beyond understanding or reason, but is there for us. In John 14:27, He said, “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.” What an incredible gift to leave with us to help us through an uncertain future. This peace guards our hearts and minds.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” Whatever you’re going through this season, God’s gift of peace is for you. You may not understand the moment you’re standing in, and you may wonder where God is, but take a moment today to say, “God, I need your gift of peace in my life and the grace to endure.” He will give you the same peace that allowed His son to sleep in a boat in the middle of the storm. Just like that day, He will either speak to the storm around you and say, “Peace. Be still,” or He will speak those words to the storm in your heart and mind. I’ll leave you with Philippians 4:6-7 that says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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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November 11, 2024 · 5:31 AM

A Peaceful Mind

It can be hard to have peace when we’re surrounded by chaos, but it’s not impossible. Remember that peace is a fruit of the Spirit that we can cultivate in our lives. When your world seems to be falling apart, or when you’re worried about something, where do your mind go? My mind races constantly trying to find the solution. That kind of stress tends to rob us of sleep, concentration and peace. In times like that, I remind myself that Jesus had the ability to sleep in a boat that was being rocked by a storm. They woke Him up screaming, “Don’t you care that we’re about to die?” Jesus immediately asked, “Where is your faith?” His faith was in His Father and the storm around Him didn’t rob Him of peace.

Paul and Silas were able to experience that same peace in their lives. In Acts 16, they were being harassed by a demoniac day after day. When Paul had enough, he cast the demon out. The person’s owners weren’t happy about it so they stirred up a mob against them with false claims. They were beaten and thrown in the deepest, darkest part of the local prison. Verse 25 says, “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening” (NLT). I’m sure the other prisoners were wondering how they could have peace after the beating they had received and while they were bound up in a stockade. It was because they had learned to keep their faith in God and to keep their mind on Him. Their darkest moment brought out praise instead of worry.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” When we can control our thoughts, we can protect our peace. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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.” The very next verse tells us to fix our minds on what’s true. If you want the peace that passes understanding, you must keep your faith in God no matter how badly the storm around you is raging. You must continue to let those issues shape your prayers as you trust God with the outcome. Peace is possible in any situation when our faith and minds are fixed on Him.

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December 27, 2023 · 6:30 AM

Experiencing God’s Peace

What are the things you worry most about? It could be your finances, your future, your job or relationships. Worry and anxiety are usually caused by things, real or imagined, that pose a risk to the future we’ve imagined. How we respond to worry matters. Some people get in a loop with their thoughts replaying out the worst case scenario in their mind. Some carry the weight of it in the back somewhere causing it to knot up. Others carry the worry in the stomach to the point they get ulcers. However you carry it, worry is something that all of us have to deal with. It robs us of our peace, our sleep, our strength and our present. It’s hard to be in the moment when your mind is worried about the future.

In Matthew 8:18-22 a religious teacher offered to follow Jesus. That’s when Jesus reminded him that to follow him meant an uncertain future that may not include a place to lay his head at night. Then Jesus asked someone else to follow Him, but that person was worried about their inheritance and wanted to bury their father first. Jesus didn’t want anything to stand between a person and following him. He then got into a boat with the disciples and a storm arose quickly. Jesus was asleep in the boat in perfect peace, but the disciples were worried. The momentary storm took their eyes off of where Jesus was leading them so they called out to Him. He asked them why were they afraid and worried about the storm. He then rebuked it and there was a great calm.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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” (NLT). When we’re worried, we should let those worries direct us to Jesus instead of our fear. When we give it to Him and also have a heart of thanksgiving for everything He’s done, we will experience God’s peace. Either He is in control of our future or we are. If I assume control, worry sets in. If I’ve placed it in His hands, then His grace and strength will be sufficient for whatever I face. Trusting Him with our future is the only way to experience a peace that will guard our heart and mind.

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December 21, 2023 · 5:30 AM

Pursuing Peace

Years ago “The Lion King” was a huge box office hit. The main character, Simba, was tricked into believing that his father’s death was his fault. Rather than face the consequences, he let fear drive him far away from home. That’s where he ran into Timon and Pumbaa who taught him their life motto: Hakunah Matata. It means no worries. Simba adopted it as His life motto as well until he had to face his past and find peace. It wasn’t until he adopted that philosophy that he became who he was born to be.

What’s your life motto? Is it helping you to become who you were created to be? Or is it keeping you away from it? Every one of us have two fingerprints on our lives. We have the fingerprint of Adam that pulls us toward sin and away from God’s presence. We also have the fingerprint of God which holds our true identity. Each one of us allow one of those fingerprints to define our motto and how we live.

Psalm 34:14 says, “Keep turning your back on every sin, and make ‘peace’ your life motto. Practice being at peace with everyone” (TPT). God desires for every one of us to identify with His fingerprint on our life and to adopt His motto of peace. He is the Prince of Peace after all. This is a great time to put the past behind you and forgive those who have wronged you. Doing that will help you find peace internally and then you can begin pursuing peace with others. It’s not too late to adopt a new motto this Christmas.

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Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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December 8, 2023 · 5:30 AM

God’s Peace On Earth

Peaceful. That’s not a word I would use to describe the Christmas season. Hectic is the word I would use. Going store to store to buy presents, looking for parking everywhere you go, going to the kid’s Christmas plays, attending Christmas parties, cleaning house for family that’s coming and so much more. Our schedule is full this time of year, and sometimes we accidentally double book.

When Jesus was born, Bethlehem was just as busy. It was over crowded because of the census. Families that hadn’t seen each other in ages were getting together. There were lines everywhere you went, and the locals were hard at work. Jesus was born into chaos, but the message to the shepherds (and us) is that He came to bring us peace no matter what time of year it is. Just like it did for the shepherds, let God’s peace draw you away from the hustle and bustle, and move you closer to Jesus.

Here are some Bible verses on the peace that God gives.

1. At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Luke 2:13-14 MSG

2. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

PHILIPPIANS 4:7 AMP

3. May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 GNB

4. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

5. 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 NLT

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I’m taking my annual break from writing this week. I hope you enjoyed this devotion I wrote a few years ago. I’ll be writing new devotions again starting next Tuesday.

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September 5, 2023 · 5:42 AM

God’s Peace

Finding peace in our lives is something we’re all after. It’s stressful to live in turmoil. However, there are two different kinds of peace. There is a peace that God gives and a peace that the world gives. Worldly peace is purely circumstantial. It’s only around when things are good. As soon as something bad happens, the peace inside leaves. This kind of peace is temporary because it’s dependent on you being able to control your circumstances. It’s the opposite with the peace God gives. With His peace you can have peace in the worst of circumstances. There can be chaos all around you and you’re not afraid, nor are you disturbed by it. You can rest in the strongest of storms because you know that He is in control.

In 1 Samuel 17, the battle lines were drawn between Israel and the Philistines. There were the normal nerves of war on both sides until Goliath stepped onto the battlefield. He was their champion and stood almost ten feet tall. Israel lost their peace and began to panic as he taunted them. For forty days they lived without peace as Goliath stepped out. When David arrived and he saw Goliath, he didn’t fear. His peace came from the Lord. He knew the battle belonged to God and not on any soldier. Even as he stepped out to fight Goliath, the Israelite army had fear and were resigned to being beaten. David knew who he was and who he belonged to. He knew God would give the victory as he swung his sling and released the rock. His peace came from God and he won the victory that day.

In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge]” (AMP). Jesus is offering you a peace that can calm you in any circumstances and help you no matter what you’re facing. It requires you to look beyond what’s happening right now in front of you and to look to Him instead. It trusts Him no matter what the outcome is because He is in control. Don’t let your current situation trouble you the way the Israelites were troubled on the battlefield. Receive God’s peace and walk in victory like David did. God gives strength and courage for whatever battle you’re in and His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7).

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May 16, 2022 · 5:52 AM

Choose Peace

Have you ever given a gift to someone that was supposed to make their life easier only to find out they never used it? I came from a family that gave functional gifts rather than luxury gifts. We got each other something that was needed rather than what was wanted. I was always on the look out to see if there was a kitchen gadget, yard equipment or something like that that could make a family member’s life easier. It would have been frustrating to see them struggling to do something while my gift was still sitting in the box. They would have had to make the choice to continue doing it the old way not using the gift.

In 2 Kings 6, Elisha had been supernaturally given the plans of the enemy several times.Elisha sent word to the king of Israel each time to thwart the attack. The king of Aram, who was trying to attack Israel, got word that Elisha was messing up his plans, so he decided to go after Elisha. Overnight they encamped around Elisha. When Elisha’s servant went outside he saw the army surrounding them. He panicked and ran inside to tell his master saying, “Oh no! What are we to do?” Elisha told him to not be afraid because there were more with them than against them. He the prayed, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. (AMP).

Jesus told us that we were going to face trouble in this world. It shouldn’t come as a surprise when we’re surrounded. He also said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge]” (emphasis is added by me) His peace is a gift that we need to choose to use. We use it when we decide to trust what He’s. said over what we’re seeing. We need our eyes opened to know that there are more with us than against us. We need to look beyond the physical aspect of whatever we’re facing in order to trust God allowing His peace to calm us in every circumstance. Choose His peace instead of fear today.

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April 18, 2022 · 5:35 AM

Peace In God’s Presence

Peace is something that I think is misunderstood at times. We like to think it’s the opposite of problems and stresses in life, but it’s more than that. It comes from relying on and being in God’s presence during those times. Our enemy wants us to blame God for our problems so that we run from Him and the peace He offers during the chaotic times of life. He knows that when we blame God, and lack peace, chaos can have its way and begin to ruin our relationship with our creator. Thankfully, even in those times, God continues to reach out to us to pull us closer to Him.

In Job 16, Job had been arguing with his friends. They had turned his heart from the worship we saw when the chaos in his life began. Instead of worship, he began to blame. In verse 7 Job says, “But now God has exhausted me. You [O Lord] have destroyed all my family and my household” (AMP). He was still maintaining his innocence, but had began to blame God which led to him questioning God. Thankfully, this book pulls the veil back a bit so that we can see what was really going on so that we can understand it’s not God causing the chaos, even though He may allow it. Like Job ended up doing, we must ultimately draw closer to God when our life gets turned upside down.

Psalm 91:1 has been referred to as our 911. It’s what we’re to do when things happen in our lives that’s more than we can bear. It says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].” Not only will we remain secure when we run to God during the chaotic times of our lives, but we will find rest from the peace He offers. The enemy may be able to touch your body, your family, your job and your way of living, but when you run to God’s presence, he can’t touch your peace. He can’t touch your soul. Trust in God who brings you abundant life while the enemy tries to steal, kill and destroy everything in your life. You’ll find peace and rest that are beyond understanding.

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