Peace | From the Inside Out

Posts Tagged ‘Peace’

The Sum of All God’s Blessings

Posted in Blessings, God's Goodness, Peace, Uncategorized, tagged John 10:10, John 14:27, Peace, Shalom on March 9, 2023| 27 Comments »

Years ago Steve and I reveled in an eight-day tour of Israel where we visited many biblical sites: the ruins of ancient Jericho, Hezekiah’s tunnel, the church honoring Jesus’ birthplace, a hillside where he likely preached the Sermon on the Mount, the pool of Bethesda where he healed a cripple, and many more.

The excavation at the Pool of Bethesda

Along the way, guides, hosts, staff, and others greeted us with, “Shalom aleichem” (“Peace be unto you”)!

For thousands of years, this phrase has been a beloved greeting and farewell among the Jewish people. It first appears in the Bible, when Joseph’s steward used the phrase to reassure the brothers that all would be well (Genesis 43:23 NKJV).

In the New Testament Jesus greeted the disciples with “Shalom aleichem” when he first appeared to them after his resurrection (John 20:26).

Perhaps you’ve heard that shalom conveys more than the absence of conflict. It includes an overall sense of contentment and well-being.

The word appears over 200 times in scripture. In the New International Version, the word shalom is translated 70 different ways. Talk about a multi-faceted word!

The nuances of meaning create delight at every turn. In fact, one writer asserts that shalom is the sum of all God’s blessings [1].

Its meaning includes:

a state of calm without anxiety or stress, yet characterized by vigor and vitality

fullness and quality of life, prosperity of soul, and right relationship with God

completeness, harmony, and tranquility

When shalom resides in our hearts we experience joyful wonder, oneness with our Creator, and rest for our souls. Shalom includes wholeness, God’s goodness, and total satisfaction.

This is the abundant life Jesus talked about [2]–the way life ought to be.

But where do I find this shalom? someone may ask.

It’s not found; it finds us when we come to Jesus[3], the one who 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.]
John 14:27 AMP

Read the verse again and replace peace with shalom [4], keeping in mind all its shades of meaning. Did your heart fill with even more gratitude for this precious gift?

God even makes it possible for us to multiply shalom so that it permeates every nook of our minds, hearts, and souls:

Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being]

be multiplied to you in the [true, intimate] knowledge of God

and of Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 1:2 AMP

And what knowledge of God and great thoughts of Christ might foster overflowing shalom?

Jesus is our light of confidence and strength, even in the darkness of distress [5]

Living by God’s wise ways makes it possible to participate in Christ’s fullness of joy [6]

Jesus gives rest to those who come to him with their cares [7]

Through the power of prayer, God provides peace of mind [8]

Out of God’s glorious riches he supplies prosperity of soul—far more valuable than anything this world offers [9]

He satisfies the hungry, longing soul with good things [10]

Of course, this is just the short list. But as we multiply the affirmations of such absolutes, we’ll develop a strong core of shalom at the center of our beings.

* * * * * * * * * *

Prince of Peace, how foolish I am to ignore the sum of all your blessings, SHALOM. You alone enable me to live securely in perfect and constant tranquility as I focus on you and live by your wisdom. You alone provide SHALOM at all times, in every way. Help me to enter into your rest.

(Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 4:8 GWT, Isaiah 26:3 AMP,

Proverbs 3:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:16)

[1] https://www.preceptaustin.org/shalom

[2] John 10:10

[3] https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today/associated-blog/the-word-for-today-devotional-content/shalom/

[4] The word in the Greek New Testament is eirene, the equivalent of shalom.

[5] John 12:46; Philippians 4:13

[6] John 15:10-11

[7] Matthew 11:28

[8] Philippians 4:6-7

[9] Ephesians 3:16

[10] Psalm 107:9 ESV

Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.flickr.com (3).

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The Flavor of Your Faith

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Intimacy with God, Joy, Uncategorized, tagged Blessings, Contentment, Faith, Hope, John 10:10, Knowing God, Peace on September 8, 2022| 26 Comments »

Many who follow Jesus long for the fulness of blessings he’s promised, like intimacy with God, peace of mind, and life to the fullest (1).

When these blessings aren’t apparent, it’s natural to wonder why. A person might think, I just need to try harder, become more disciplined. Maybe I should severely limit recreation and sacrifice more.

Don’t get me wrong. Self-discipline and sacrifice are part of a dynamic Christian life (2), and actually become delights as we mature in our faith.

But what if:

Intimacy with our Heavenly Father doesn’t require a monk-like lifestyle but stillness and spending time with him in scripture.

“The world applauds achievement; God desires companionship. The world clamors, “Do more! Be all you can be!” But our Father whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

If Bible study sounds like a chore, talk to someone who considers it a joy. Learn from them how to experience the same.

Faith doesn’t require long prayers about inadequate faith, but simply resting in what we know about God.

“If you feed your faith, your doubts will starve to death.”
Debbie MacComber

One way to feed your faith is to keep a journal of events that give evidence of God’s work in your life, his guidance, provision, and blessing (3). I promise, you’ll be amazed.

Peace doesn’t come from distracting ourselves with busyness, but from knowing God, focusing on him through worship, and meditating on his attributes.

Reverend Croft M. Pentz expressed it this way:

“No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.”
Croft M. Pentz

And Ruth Bell Graham discovered:

We’d do well to learn from her experience.

Hope isn’t generated by wishful thinking, but by affirming the Word of God.

Some of you will remember the old hymn, “Standing on the Promises.” The second verse offers this encouragement:

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

–Russell K. Carter

For every hope—of a problem to be solved, a relationship to be healed, and a need to be met—there are scripture-promises on which to place our hope. To trust God is to trust his promises.

Contentment isn’t the result of having all desires fulfilled, it’s the result of gratitude for what we already have.

When we begin to thank God for such delights as the friendly wave of a neighbor, the worshipful toll of church bells, the bright lady bug on a stem, we soon realize how many gifts he bestows.

Add to his daily delights the assurance that God is with us to support, within us to empower, and going before us to lead the way (4).

Most of our wants pale in comparison to the glories we already enjoy. . .

A rich and satisfying life doesn’t come through self-centered gratification, but through obedience to God’s ways.

“God’s commands are designed to guide us to life’s very best” (5), including the qualities we’ve considered in this post: delightful intimacy with God, restful peace, constant contentment, and more. That’s a life overflowing with joy.

Pursuing this kind of rich, satisfying life is a bit like making soup! Every ingredient that goes in the pot impacts the flavor of everything else in the pot. In the spiritual realm, everything we do, say, or even think impacts the flavor of our faith.

Gratitude produces contentment but also impacts our worship and quality of life. Faith grows our knowledge of God, but also grows contentment and spiritual strength. Scripture study instills peace, but also nurtures hope and tightens our connection to God. The list could continue but you get the idea.

The bottom line is this:

The question becomes, what actions will we pursue to genuinely impact the flavor of our faith?

1. James 4:8; John 14:27; John 10:10

2. Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:2

3. “Christmas Afterglow” includes several examples.

4. Isaiah 41:10; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Deuteronomy 31:8

5. Henry Blackaby

Photo credits: http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.wikimedia.org (2); http://www.pexels.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pixnio.com.

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Radiant and Alive!

Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, God's Goodness, God's Power, Hope, Joy, Uncategorized, tagged Faith in Jesus, Hope, Joy, Peace, Power of the Holy spirit, Romans 15:13 on July 21, 2022| 32 Comments »

Thomas Jefferson gave us this bit of wisdom:

https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/brevity.html

Note how the following authors demonstrate this most valuable of all talents:

“It is good people who make good places.”—Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

“Trials come to prove and improve us.”—St. Augustine

“Change always comes bearing gifts.”—Price Pritchett

Conciseness contributes to effectiveness, agreed?

In Romans 15:13, the Apostle Paul wrote a magnificent but concise blessing for the Christians in Rome. He brought together five key concepts of our faith—hope, joy, peace, trust, and power—in just thirty words or so, depending on the translation:

Whole books have been written to expound on each concept. But since this is a blog post, not a treatise, I’ll try to keep it short—and concise!

HOPE

Our Christian hope is not wishful thinking; it is confident reliance on the sacred certainties of our Heavenly Father.

Paul calls him our God of hope because of his glorious attributes manifested in our lives—his omnipotent power, gracious mercy, continual patience, lavish kindness, and absolute reliability—to name a few.

And with statements of faith we can bolster our hope—statements such as these:

“God is kind and good, wise and powerful. All his attributes are always at work for my benefit.”

“God is accomplishing purpose in these circumstances, just as he always does.”

“He will bring me through this situation, and I’ll be a better person for it.”

JOY

Joy is not the absence of all misery and the presence of every whim; joy is found in the presence of God.

Sound silly? Talk to an old saint who has walked with Jesus many years—who’s felt the Lord’s presence surrounding him, heard God’s whispers in his heart, and experienced his guidance and provision again and again.

This saint will tell you: the pleasures of this life don’t begin to compare to the soul-delight of intimacy with God.

PEACE

Peace is not found in circumstances; it’s found in a Person, the Prince of Peace. The better we know him, the better we know peace.

Tension decreases as we affirm:

He is completely trustworthy.

He knows everything; he’s in control of everything.

He takes pleasure in blessing us with all that we need.

He is with us to comfort, strengthen, and encourage.

Even in the midst of difficulty, we can experience his peace. In fact, it’s a promise.

TRUST

It’s God’s part to work all things for good; it’s our part to trust.

The question becomes, What can I do to grow in trust?

The answer: express gratitude. “The foremost quality of a trusting disciple is gratefulness”[1].

So thank God, even in the midst of frustration, disappointment, heartache, and pain. “There’s a good God leading, working all things into good. It is safe to trust”[2]!

POWER

The power to thrive does not come from within ourselves; it comes from the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do circumstances appear impossible to rectify? Think on the power of God. He scatters the stars in space. He breathes life into every creature. He provides everything necessary to sustain our little planet.

It’s that kind of absolute, unlimited power that will see each of us through every crisis until we’re home with him.

And so, in one concise verse Paul majestically highlights five pillars of the abundant life.

When we embrace the hope, joy, and peace that God offers, when we trust in him with expectancy and resolve, when we pray for his power to be released in and through us, our lives and outlook will become radiant and alive[3]!

Doesn’t that sound like a glorious way to live?

Scriptures for further reflection:

Hope–Psalm 145:8-9; Daniel 2:20; John 5:17; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4

Joy–Psalm 16:11; Psalm 71:5-8

Peace–Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 John 3:20b; Jeremiah 31:3; Philippians 4:19; Deuteronomy 31:8; Isaiah 40:29-31; Philippians 4:6-7

Trust–Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 9:10; 28:7; 112:7; Colossians 2:7; Psalm 110:4-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7

Power of the Holy Spirit–1 Corinthians 8:6; Psalm 8:3; Job 12:10; Psalm 46:1

Notes

[1] Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust, 24.

[2] Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts, 155.

[3] The last clause is based on Touchstone’s revised version (1995) of the J. B. Phillips’ translation for Romans 15:13.

Art & photo credits: http://www.azquotes.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pxhere.com.

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Flutter-Frenzies

Posted in Faith, God's Wisdom, Uncategorized, Wisdom, tagged Contentment, Peace, the wisdom of God's Word, wise choices on April 14, 2014| 15 Comments »

For several weeks this spring we enjoyed a special visitor to our home, a male cardinal.

At least once each day he perched on the window sill above our front door. His head would cock from side to side as he considered his reflection in the glass. Then he would flutter upwards, sometimes as high as two feet or so, his wings batting against the window.

No doubt he thought the reflection was another cardinal, and he wasn’t about to allow an interloper to move in on his territory!

Every morning I heard his fluttering wings against the glass and stood to watch his proprietary dance.

What if he hurts himself, I thought. Too bad I can’t communicate with the little guy, and let him know his fight for territory is unnecessary.

M-m-m-m.

We humans ARE capable of receiving communication. And God has graciously given us his Word–full of infallible wisdom–so we don’t waste time and energy on worthless pursuits.

Too often, though, I am like that little cardinal, fluttering my wings in a frenzy of self-gratification, or questions that have no answers, or worthless contemplation of what ifs. The results are as unproductive and meaningless as territorial rituals with a nonexistent rival.

Unlike that red bird, I can understand instruction, but sometimes I fail to pay attention.

It’s not as if God hasn’t clearly explained through many scriptures the way to peace and contentment. Some are embarrassingly familiar:

Do not fret…Trust in the Lord and do good…Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this (Psalm 37:1-5). [So, it boils down to this: Am I going to believe that God will do what he says? Am I going to lean into him and trust?]

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). [That principle applies to gifts of time and effort as well as monetary. And just how often does the giver experience more blessing than the receiver? Almost always!]

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds in Christi Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). [Note to self: Focus on your all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise God. He is bigger than any problem, any need.]

Instead of beating my wings in a flutter-frenzy, I want to take inspiration from another activity cardinals are known for: singing!

I lift my voice in praise to you, my God and King!

Your majesty and greatness are beyond comprehension,

yet you care for me.

You extend your mercy to forgive,

your grace to provide,

your wisdom to direct,

your strength to uphold.

Everything you do is right.

May my heart be steadfast

to trust you and follow your Word.

Turn my heart toward your ways

and away from worthless pursuits.

If I’m serving and singing, I won’t have time for flutter-frenzies!

(Photo credits: http://www.planetofbirds.com; http://www.coldhandswarmearth.blogspot.com.)

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Food for Thought on Thanksgiving

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, God, God's Goodness, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged Blessings, G. K. Chesterton, God, Gratitude, Henry Ward Beecher, Peace, Philippians 4:6, Prayer, Thanksgiving on November 28, 2013| 10 Comments »

Cornucopia Free Stock Photo - Public Domain Pictures

The First Course:

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

(G. K. Chesterton — 1874-1936. Columnist and author extraordinaire; called the best writer of the twentieth century.)

The Second Course:

“The unthankful heart…discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”

(Henry Ward Beecher — 1813-1887. Congregationalist minister, known for his support of the abolition of slavery.)

The Third Course:

“Thanksgiving gives effect to prayer, and frees from anxious carefulness by making all God’s dealings matter for praise, not merely for resignation, much less murmuring. Peace is the companion of thanksgiving.”

(Author Unknown – Quoted in Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary on the Whole Bible, Philippians 4:6.)

May wonders and mercies surround you this Thanksgiving Day, bringing you peace and happiness!

(photo credit: www.publicdomainpictures.net, George GrimmHowell)

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From the Inside Out

Impressions Becoming Expressions

Posts Tagged ‘Peace’

The Sum of All God’s Blessings

The Flavor of Your Faith

Radiant and Alive!

Flutter-Frenzies

Food for Thought on Thanksgiving

Nancy Ruegg

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