Tag: peace

Posted in Hiding His Word

Go in Peace!

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Such a beautiful morning on my back porch. The gardenias smell so good. I can watch the cars pass by, people walking and getting their exercise, walking their dogs. I can hear neighbors greeting each other as their paths cross and the birds singing their morning songs. There is a breeze and at least for this hour it feels wonderful.

Such a beautiful morning. But the main reason I am out here is to spend time with God, in His Word, and in prayer. In His Presence is fullness of JOY (Psalm 16:11) and no matter what is going on in the world, in my heart and my world this morning, I feel truly joyful.

I woke up with this song on my heart and this passage of scripture before me during my morning devotions. God bless you all as you go forth into your world and whatever this day holds for you. Every word of the song is my prayer for you!

-Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
-For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
-Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
-Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
-Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
-And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
-Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
-Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
-For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
~ Psalms‬ ‭37:1-9

Following Peace

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Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. ~ Romans 14:19

Peace is always out there and we must make a conscious effort to move toward it.

You can’t drive someone toward peace, only lead them there. Neither will God push you in peace’s direction, but He will lead you there.

To be lead is to follow. So, if you begin to head toward peace, others will surely follow. And those that do not…they will be in your past.

Posted in Hiding His Word

Follow Peace – Hebrews 12:14

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” ~ Hebrews‬ ‭12:14‬

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” ~ Psalms‬ ‭34:14‬

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” ~ Romans‬ ‭14:19

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬

What God is speaking to me – Work to be at peace with all people. Even if they are not at peace with you, be at peace with them and you will be blessed for your obedience. Do not let hurts and differences linger in your heart. Be quick to forgive. Be quick to repent. Be quick to hear a person out—and really listen. Be quick to reconcile with those who are willing to walk in peace. Sometimes and some people will be easy to walk with peacefully. Others will be a challenge. I am to walk peacefully with all. Peaceful doesn’t mean “easy.” Jesus never promised easy; He only promised help. Jesus is the Prince of Peace!

My prayer – Father God, if I have any unforgiveness in my heart, please reveal it to me so that I can obey Your command to forgive. If there are hurts and wounds in my heart, please help me face them so I can receive healing. Teach me to pursue peace with every one. Teach me to love. I ask for the grace to love, really love every one…not just those of my choosing. Show me ways to comfort those that are hurting today. Help me to be quick to show Your love, Your comfort, and Your peace for Your glory, and Yours alone….in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Rest

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rest

If you read yesterday’s blog post you know that the Lord spoke about being in a “holding pattern” but how even in the holding pattern He used the blog to spread His Word into approximately 80 more nations of the world to reach a total of 100 nations to date.

Later on in the afternoon, someone called with a message for one of our clinicians. The message was “Psalm 4:8.” Nothing else. Of course, the message peaked my curiosity and of course, I looked it up and the Holy Ghost used that short message to speak to me also about rest. Holding patterns and rest certainly have some things in common. I know that if God can use a holding pattern then He can certainly use our rest, God ordained rest, in many divine ways as well. Below are a few definitions of the word “rest.” I have highlighted those that especially spoke to me.

All else is the Word of God and some of what He has to say about the subject of rest. We could all say many things about rest and the need for it … but His Word truly contains all the words we need. These verses are good scriptures to “put in our memory banks” (as one of my childhood Sunday School teachers used to say). Hide them in your heart today before you need them in the night hours or moments when you feel overcome by weariness.

 

What does it mean to Rest?

Rest (noun) – The refreshing quiet or repose of sleep; refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor; relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs; a period or interval of inactivity; mental or spiritual calm.

Rest (verb) – to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing; to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor; to be at ease; to be quiet or still; to cease from motion, come to rest; stop; to become or remain inactive; to stay as is or remain without further action or notice; to lie, sit, lean, or be set.

 

What does the Bible say about Rest?

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: ~ Isaiah 26:3-4

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ~ Psalm 23:1-3

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. ~ Psalm 116:7

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. ~ Psalm 62:5-8

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. ~ Psalm 3:4-5

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. ~ Isaiah 30:15

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ~ Matthew 11:28-29

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. ~ Jeremiah 6:16

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. ~ Psalm 4:8

 

My Prayer for you today

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Posted in Bible Verses

Scriptures to Hide in Your Heart When Worried

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Let not your heart be trouble

Some of the scriptures that I meditate on when I am feeling overwhelmed by worry.  I have them written on notecards and read them aloud as many times and as often as necessary. The Word of God is alive and active and the Word will break the hold that the enemy has over your mind.  God has proven this to me time and time again. When you speak the Word, you speak LIFE!

Proverbs 12:25   Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6-8  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Matthew 6:33-34  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Matthew 11:28-30   Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 14:27   Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalm 55:22   Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Philippians 4:19   But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

John 14:1   Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Luke 1:37   For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Colossians 3:15    And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Jeremiah 17:7-8   Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Psalm 94:19   In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Isaiah 26:3   Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Psalm 23:4    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Romans 15:13   Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost

Proverbs 3:5-6   Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Romans 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Colossians 3:2   Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

2 Thessalonians 3:16   Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

 

 

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – Philippians 4:7

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

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The Holy Spirit offers a means of letting us know the will of God. He guides us through His peace. Philippians 4:7 says:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace – a state of mutual harmony between people or groups; cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, obsession

Keep – to hold or retain in one’s possession

The Greek word that is translated “keep” is “phroureo.” It is used in the New Testament in a literal sense of a military guard stationed at the gates of a city to prevent invasion or to keep the inhabitants from fleeing in fear and being captured and killed by the enemy.

“Phroureo” is also used to describe the activity of the Holy Spirit in watching over and guarding believers to preserve them so that they may attain the blessings by doing the will of the Father. That is how it is being used in this verse. It is a “spiritual warfare” kind of word.

Before I became a Christian, I would describe my inner condition as fearful (or full of fear). I was generally scared of almost everything. People, finances, family, and my future. I was afraid of what was, what ifs, what could be. I was never at peace and had no idea what peace was like. I knew others who did not live that way, but I felt this was who I was meant to be and I needed to just come to terms with it.

Some people are bound by spirits of fear and will not be at peace until they are free. Deliverance from spirits of fear seems necessary for some to be able to really know the peace of God. I was one of those.  The day I received Jesus Christ as my Savior, was delivered of fear, and baptized in the Holy Spirit, everything changed instantly. At 46 years old, I was at perfect peace for the first time in my life, and it did surpass all of my understanding. I could not even explain peace, but I knew it immediately. It was a brand-new experience for me.

Within a few years of experiencing peace, I became somewhat adjusted and familiar with the peace of God, so I didn’t think a lot about it unless it disappeared. I don’t mean that I necessarily became over-anxious again. I just became aware that I was not feeling the peace of God at that moment. When that happened, I would stop what I was doing and pay serious attention to the Lord who would then show me what to do or what not to do. The guiding and the peace always hinged on the attention I gave.

Over the years, there have been quite a few decisions that I made as the Holy Spirit “guarded” me with His peace. For that reason, I truly have come to trust His peace. I wish I could say I have always stopped in my tracks and given  my full attention when my peace disappeared. I can’t say that at all…but I can say that I have always regretted not heeding the peace of God. Thankfully, we can learn from mistakes and forgiveness is real. Thank you so much, Jesus!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – Psalm 55:22

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ~ Psalms 55:22

Study and Meditation

Cast – to throw or set aside, hurl, fling, to part with, lose, to shed or drop

Burden – that which is carried; load; that which is borne with difficulty

Sustain – to support, hold, or bear up from below

Suffer – to endure; to tolerate or allow

I am to give my entire burden to the Lord, not just part of it. Casting means throwing it off, not only slipping it off, laying it down gently and walking away. Sounds to me like there is aggression or a type of violence involved in getting rid of burdens.

——-

Recently, I heard a lady speak of the turmoil going on in her life. She described her emotional state “like waves tossed to and fro.” Sounds like a lot of moving, doesn’t it? Anxiety and fear can cause emotional instability, and when you are unstable, you are more likely to say things and make decisions that you will regret later.

In light of this description, I remembered James 1:5-6. In the first part of the passage, he advises us to ask God for wisdom.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But then, he gives a warning:

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

So this lady’s description of her emotional state like “waves tossed to and fro” tells me that she is wavering. In other words, doubt is ruling her mind at the moment. Boy have I been there!

Today, in particular, I am tired, so I have been vulnerable to this kind of emotional reaction regarding some burdens I carry. Instead of casting them to Jesus as I should have, I have laid them down carefully, and because of that I can see them. I am tempted to pick them up again as if I can now do something about them. I can feel myself begin to waver under the heaviness and I know if I keep my eyes on those burdens before I know it I will start to react with fear, anxiety, and worry. Such a vicious cycle.

Today though my prayer has been Lord change me! If the burdens are always a part of life, Change me God! I am just tired of these things in me, honestly. I felt that old mindset rise up and I looked toward the burdens as is my habit but then something rose up inside me. It was the Spirit of the Lord, and as though He were carrying a great big stop sign, He brought those feelings to a complete halt by commanding,

“Stop!”

And then He said,

“I don’t want you going down this road, no more than you want to. I want you to get into My Word for ALL of your reactions and turn from this road down a hidden path. And when you are safely on this path, I want you to seal every step in your heart by writing it all down.”

The path was hidden by many, many bushes full of  huge thorns. I saw them as the burdens surrounding the entrance to keep people from going down this little trail that was just barely traveled.

His care for me and His value of this hidden path He has sent me to, surprised me!

At that moment, with His touch and His leading, I set my mind on the path of faith. I determined that I will be single-minded. I will trust the situations of my present life to God no matter how I feel or how it looks to my natural eyes or to others.

God also reminded me of something important during this experience: Faith is a supernatural act. If you limit your mind to the natural (only what you can see, hear, feel, or think), then you narrow the options that God has to work on your behalf. But if you elevate your mind to the supernatural through faith, then you are able to take action based on complete confidence in God’s care for you and your journey.

Prayer

Help me, Lord to cast all my burdens on You. Not just today but every day and minute by minute if necessary. Help me to not waver in doubt but to trust both the old paths and the new paths that are all your path for my life.  Change me, Lord. It is my prayer. In Jesus Name! Amen!!!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – Peace

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Here’s something amazing to think about. This is a powerful promise from Jesus for you and I.

Jesus gave us His peace and not peace like the world gives. His peace is NOT like peace that comes from those moments when while we are in the world we have money in the bank, our boss is happy, the family.is doing well, the doors are flying open, etc. No not that kind of peace but the very peace that Jesus had from His Father as He walked out a life of perfection, persecution, sacrifice, trouble, pain, grief, betrayal, and even for a moment, death.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬

You can face anything because He overcame all ( it is written! Right there in 1 John 4:4 ) and what’s more than overcoming, you can have peace in the process. That doesn’t mean shelter from the pain of the process. The process of being molded by the gentle hands of a potter but an assurance of peace in the middle of the process to know it’s for our good and to make us more like Jesus.

I am meditating on this this morning. I am not alone.  You are not alone. Sometimes it feels that way and alone we have a hard time holding on to our peace. But the peace of God…You have the peace of God, even that which was given from heaven to Christ Jesus, available to you. Ask and you shall receive. I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR PEACE and my request come up void.

Let this peace rule your heart so that no matter what you encounter in life, your response is not governed by fear, panic or frustration but by clarity and sweet unexplained calm, strength and reliance on Jesus for direction.

Peace is a promise. A promise that is ours! Forget not His benefits (Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits ~ Psalm 103:2)

For it is written….John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Peace, peace God’s peace coming down from the Father above..

Jesus is the Prince of Peace! So ASK and it shall be given! We won’t be denied so I am asking for me and I am asking for you…in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – 1/12/2018

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

My Daily Scripture - 1/12/2018

Daily Scripture

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ~ Matthew 5:9

Study

Peace – non-warring condition; a state of mutual harmony; freedom from civil commotion and violence; freedom from dissension; freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession; a state of tranquility or serenity; silence; stillness.

Peacemaker – a person, group, or nation that tries to make peace by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight.

Reconcile – to cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something; to win over; cause to become amicable; to settle; to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent; to restore.

The Greek word translated “peacemaker” is used in only one other place in the New Testament, in a slightly different way. Colossians 1:19-20 says, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.”

Jesus laid down His life to make peace between God and sinners, and when we carry that message of peace to others, we are peacemakers. God delights in those who reconcile others to Himself—those who bring the gospel are “beautiful” (Isaiah 52:7). God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Those who bring reconciliation to broken relationships are carrying on the work of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Those who give of themselves as Jesus did in order that others may know God are called “blessed.” There is no real peace apart from a relationship with God. What may masquerade as worldly peace is merely a temporary lull in chaos. True peace is found only in a restored relationship with God. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked’” (Isaiah 48:22).

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. -Psalm 46:10

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

Meditation

The children of God can bring the peace of knowing Him to others. A person must have a real and abiding relationship with God before they can help someone else to know Him. Those who witness for Jesus Christ, share their faith with their friends, and serve others in the name of Jesus are the ambassadors for peace. As an ambassador, they bring the message of God’s peace to the world as “peacemakers.” Truly these are the “children of God.”

Prayer

Father God, I come before you this morning and ask You to help me to be one that reconciles others to You. Help me to live in peace through Jesus and to walk intentionally seeking to bring reconciliation to others. Help me to be bold in witnessing and showing love in all ways always. Help me to be at peace and look like peace in this chaotic world, and to do what I am called to do – to help not only bring people to You but to do my part in teaching all nations of You. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen. I love You so much, Jesus ❤️