John 14:27 (ESV) Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. & be thankful. Phil 4:9 What you have learned & received & heard & seen in me—practice these things, & the God of peace will be with you. James 3:18 A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.— Peace is to rule in our hearts!
Q: CS Lewis, “Jesus rose and bore his wounds so others might know him. His wounds were a reminder of what the world can do to us, but they were also a symbol of hope that this is not all the world will be.”
—PEACE is our HOPE in God! Love Mel
Don’t WORRY – P R A Y!!
Prayer! Phil 4:6 (ESV)Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. John 15:7 If you abide in Me, & My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, & it will be done for you. Rom 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, & the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock & my redeemer. — So much wisdom in these verses on Prayer! Prayer is our way of communicating with God! Very important! Love Mel
Why Suffering?
Why suffering? Luke 9:23 (ESV) He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself & take up his cross daily & follow me Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; & through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, & the flame shall not consume you. 1Peter 5:10 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, & establish you. Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 2 Cor 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Matt 5:12 Rejoice & be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,…. — Suffering! Can we say that the way of the cross is not fun or games, it is real suffering that we all will face to some degree! So why suffering? Do you think if everything was great, would anyone volunteer to board the chariot for Heaven? But when things are a real struggle then we are more willing to go! Jesus struggled with the Cross & even questioned, “Father why have you forsaken me?” Then the “not my will but thine be done”! And finally just a thought, suffering is not something that the enemy or anyone looking to copy Jesus would COPY! This is truly part of Gods plan & leads to His full restoration & reward! Love Mel
Boast Only That HE Knows You
Jer 9:24 (ESV) Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands & knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, & righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord. 1 Cor 1:31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” Ex 34:6-7 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses & called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate & gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion & faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression & sin,….— We are to boast in knowing Him! He is compassionate & gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion & faithfulness, keeping steadfast love! For Our God is Love! The Lord wants us on the path of Righteousness & He will Lovingly do whatever it takes to get us there & keep us there! Give Him ALL the glory! Love Mel
Seek The Lord Diligently
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) So Peter opened his mouth & said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him & does what is right is acceptable to Him. Acts 10:2-4 A devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, & prayed continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in & say to him, “Cornelius.” He stared at him in terror & said, “What is it, Lord?” & He said to him, “Your prayers & your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. — Have you ever considered your prayers as a memorial offering before God? That would mean that our very words could be a sacrificial offering before God! All this is possible when you have the faith to believe on Jesus Christ as Gods son and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him! Believe & Diligently Seek Him! Love Mel
