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| Peace...A Response to God's Grace |
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As with my last blog, this comes from my personal study on trials and how to maintain my peace in the midst of one. I wrote it down so I could read and re-read it as a reminder to myself, but if it blesses someone else as well, all the better!
3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Trouble is a part of life. Having fulfillment and peace in the midst of trouble is what living in God's will is all about. There is great confidence in knowing that you are walking in the will of God and doing what He wants you to do. When you are sure of that, you can better deal with what life throws at you, and feel His peace while walking through the valley.
5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Don't think that trouble in your life means that you are out of God's will. God uses the trouble you have to perfect you. There is a big difference between being out of God's will and being pruned or tested by God. Both are uncomfortable, but one leads to life and one doesn't. In one you can find peace, no matter how uncomfortable it gets. In the other, you can't. We can only have true peace if we live in right relationship with God and if we accept His grace.
26:3 Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee. 26:4 Trust in the LORD for ever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
We all have difficult times, times when we feel all alone and abandoned. Of course the truth is we aren't - God is with us when we call upon Him. In the midst of these times, we don't have to be controlled by our negative emotions, we can resist them by praying for the peace that surpasses all understanding, and by studying what God's Word says about them.
4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 4:7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
If you are in the midst of hard times, pray that God's peace will rule your heart and mind, and that God will help you to know His peace in such a powerful way that it brings peace to those around you. Pray that God will help you to live in His peace and joy, and that He will give you the strength and understanding to resist anxiety, unrest, anger, envy, bitterness, hopelessness, depression, loneliness, fear, and guilt. Make the decision (daily, if necessary!) to adopt the correct response to God's grace - PEACE. May the Lord rescue you when your spirit is overwhelmed. May He give you a mental attitude of tranquility that is based on your relationship with Him. 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
(Taken in part from the Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian.) |
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| To add a comment to "Peace...A Response to God's Grace" |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| I can already see what these difficulties of testing is doing in you. You are so beautifully able to share with others the hope and peace that is found in Jesus Christ. You included here a nugget of truth that makes me say wow!! This will preach! There is a big difference between being out of God's will and being pruned or tested by God. Both are uncomfortable, but one leads to life and one doesn't. In one you can find peace, no matter how uncomfortable it gets. In the other, you can't. Being in God's will makes all the difference doesn't it? This is very very very good! Excellent! |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| Thanks so much for the encouragement, Brother Todd! |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| OH my goodness... this is just what I needed... you are going up on the mirror my brother... see my latest blog |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| Awesome blog... |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| God bless you Carol for having the time to journal and make notes to remind yourself of these things. With young children, I barely have the time to get online. Bless you for sharing! |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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| Thanks for sharing this......I needed it! |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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I recently heard some excellent preaching on living with "a thorne in the flesh." In the final analysis, God knows just what we need to keep us where we ought to be: Depending on Him.
2 Cor 12:7-10 The Thorn in the Flesh 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
NKJV
At different times and in different ways we all will experience thorns in some capacity according to His wisdom. Sometimes it will be temporary, but it is not always His will to take them/it/him/her away. Though I do not always understand, I will TRUST Him: He always knows just what I need.
Your journey is shared, dear one in Christ. |
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| August 25, 2008 |
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I can say from experiencing many of my own trials in the last couple of years, that there was an absolute peace that sustained me and assured me how near God was to me.
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal." This scripture was prayed daily in my life and I pray it keeps you in that perfect peace as well. Just remember, after the pruning comes the fruit :-) |
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| August 26, 2008 |
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Lara....whatever works!! I have punched many a pillow! lol ;)
Becky...glad it helped! I'm on my way to read your blog now!
Marilyn...thanks!
Pam...it does get a LITTLE easier when your kids get bigger, 'cuz they don't want to spend as much time with together! Of course, then you worry about who they ARE with!
Cinderelly...thanks for posting!
Tonya...you are right. I just have to trust.
DeeDee...can't wait for the fruit of this!
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| August 26, 2008 |
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Oh this is a great Word...and perfect timing...Thank You Father for You are Faithful...
Thanks for the post...Many blessings! |
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| August 26, 2008 |
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Blessings back at ya, Ms. Suga!!
Carol |
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| August 26, 2008 |
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"Don't think that trouble in your life means that you are out of God's will. God uses the trouble you have to perfect you." I love blogs like this! Great for building the body of Christ, hopefully many will read it! |
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| August 26, 2008 |
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Thanks for reading, Mike!
Carol |
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| January 16, 2009 |
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| This blog has been such a blessing in my life today!!!! Thank you for taking the time to blog all of this for people like me who are trying to find their way on the right path. |
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| January 16, 2009 |
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| I'm so glad it blessed you! |
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