Tag: peace

Your Peace Depends on This

October 22, 2022Blog, Encouragement, Inspiration, Personal Growth, Sunday Sermons Leave a comment

I woke up suddenly recently, in the middle of the night with a phrase ringing in my mind and heart. It repeated over and over, and I couldn’t shake it…

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you…”

taken out of Isaiah 26:3 ESV

Over and over and over it played on repeat.

What was I to take from this? I heard the words and message, but what was it’s meaning? Who was it for? After some deep processing, and deeper study, I have something to share with YOU, and your peace depends on it.

There are more than a few ways that our personal peace is being ripped off. We are bombarded by so many issues, needs and concerns that our mental peace is often in a fragile state. No matter the age or station in life, mental health issues are exploding off the charts as men, women and children are trying to cope and find peace in these times.

Triggers, safe zones, microaggressions, and mental health days are abounding, while personal peace is disappearing and being able to find it is becoming less likely as we look to fill our gas tank, buy groceries, pay bills or enjoy life.

Here’s the deal, remember that phrase I woke up to? In it we find what our peace is dependent on. Your peace, my peace is dependent on what we keep our mind focused on. Here’ another way of saying it…

Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you.”

Isaiah 26:3, The Passion Translation

Your peace is dependent on what your imagination is consumed with. Seriously. What is your mind and imagination consumed with?

  • worry
  • concerns
  • questions
  • doubt
  • details
  • what ifs
  • hopelessness
  • confusion
  • frustration
  • uncertainty
  • worst case senarios
  • indecision

When these things consume our thinking we find ourselves imagining the worst, worrying about what might or could happen. We are consumed with the negative and our imagination builds a framework of action based on those negatives.

“YESER” is the Hebrew word in Isaiah 26;3 for mind. It literally means,

conception, form, framing, purpose, imagination.” The lexicon goes on to say, “to lean, lay, rest or support.”

Strongs condordance H3336

Stay with me here because what this is telling us is – what we consume our thinking with becomes the fertile bed in which new ideas are formed and purpose is bred. The mind or imagination that leans, lays or rests (on God) for support will find perfect peace permeating their thoughts, words and actions.

In fact, it is from our imagination, that our reality is built. It is our imagination that forms and frames our reality.

Think about that. Our imagination is the God given ability we have to form mental images of things not present. Our imagination is the power we have to go beyond our senses to things never before perceived. Our imagination is our creative ability. It is our ability to confront and deal with a problem. It is evidence of a thinking or active mind.

Psychologists agree that there is a strong connection between the mind and the body, even though they do not completely understand it. They also agree that imagination allows a person to make creative connections and inferences. There are entire lists of ways in which your imagination is vitally important to you. Again, I would say, your peace depends on your imagination, on what you are imagining.

In the nine times that imagination is mentioned in the bible, you will find these things said about man’s imagination:

  • Genesis 6:5 – every imagination of man’s heart was evil, all the time
  • Genesis 8:21 – man’s imagination is evil from youth
  • Deuteronomy 31:21 – (God says) I know what they are inclined to do
  • 1 Chronicles 28:9 – serve Him with your whole heart & willing mind (imagination) He understands every thought and plan
  • Psalm 103:14 – He knows our frame (imagination)

I find it staggering the evil proclivity that lies within our imagination. And here we think that we’re not so bad. Sure, when we look at “those people” they are evil, but certainly not me. Oh Lord, help us.

My peace, your peace depends on what our imagination is consumed with. AND, without it being governed or ruled by the Holy Spirit, we are leaning on that seedbed of evil concoctions that have sprouted from worry, fear, doubt, and what ifs.

Colossians 3:15 tells us we must allow the peace of God to rule in our heart and mind.

Romans 8:6 reminds us that the mind that is governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Even our opening verse, Isaiah 26:3, that repeating phrase I woke up with, “you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.”

Peace only comes from choosing to keep our imagination stayed on God’s goodness, peace, mercy, grace, and power. When my mind and imagination is “stayed” or leaning on and taking hold of His Word and promises, only then, do I find personal peace.

If the negative in my mind and imagination can be a seedbed for framing my negative reality, how much more, when the Word of God, faith, trust, hope, peace of God, is consuming my thoughts and mind will my reality be shaped and tailored by God’s truth.

When the Spirit governs my thoughts and consumes my imaginations, then the peace of God can rule in my heart and life. Being consumed with anything else is what wars against our peace.

I love that God’s intended purpose for our imaginations is for us to dream and think BIG. Dream and think creatively, freely, positively, faith-filled creations. Why? Cuz He wants to top what we consider our biggest imagined reality. Check it out:

He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, acording to His power at work within us…”

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

God’s reality for us is so much better than what we are walking in. And He has given us the key to creating His reality in our lives. Let your mind race with imaginations of God’s Word, His power, His grace, His possibilities and see if you haven’t created a new reality for yourself. THEN, watch God top that. Watch Him eclipse your biggest expectation. Watch Him outdo you. Cuz He’s the Creator, after all.

Your peace depends on what your imaginations are consumed with. Only you can do that self-check. But please do.

Your peace depends on it.

At peace,

Debbie

The Red Rider’s Permit

March 12, 2022Blog, Encouragement, Sunday Sermons 2 Comments

Are we living in the days of the rider on a red horse, that John, the beloved, wrote of in Revelation? I don’t know, but look at what John said…

” Out came another horse, bright red. It’s rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that the people should slay one another…”

Revelation 6:4 ESV

Whether we are or not, it certainly appears that permission has been granted for peace to be taken from the earth. From the war in Ukraine, Covid mandates, rising drug addictions, mental health issues and political infighting, peace is being taken from the earth. Peace is being taken from hearts and minds. Peace has been permitted to be taken.

Probably, even within your heart or the heart of a loved one, you’ve seen a wearing away of peace and a rise in anxiety, fear, depression and pending doom.

But today, I am here to remind you of what Jesus has given to you– in spite of what the red rider has been permitted to take.

“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.”

John 14:27 ESV

Read that again, in another translation –

” I leave the gift of peace with you – my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts – instead, be courageous!”

John 14:27 TPT

When Jesus came to Earth, He came as the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6 tells us. That means He is the “Captain, Commander, General & Governor of Peace. He alone is the leader with immediate authority over everything, and He alone is the leading priest, above all others.” (That’s actually what “prince” means in the Hebrew there.) In fact, isn’t that what the angels proclaimed at His birth? “Peace on Earth, good will to all men.”?

Additionally, to encourage you if you’ve found yourself dealing with fear, worry, concern & lack of peace… remember after Jesus raised back to life, and He went to find his 12, make that 11, “mighty disciples”, they were hiding in fear behind bolted doors and in denial of what Mary had told them about the empty tomb.

It was to THOSE mighty disciples that Jesus appeared and said,

“Peace to you!”

Luke 24:36

Or as John puts it –

“Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this He showed them His hands and his side…. then He said to them again, “Peace be with you”.

John 20:18-21 ESV

Here they were, totally engulfed in fear, anxiety, worry and even unbelief, and Jesus walks through the walls to tell them AGAIN, “Peace be with you.”.

Their peace had been taken. Their peace had been stolen. Their peace had been taken away when they saw Jesus crucified and buried. That’s why He showed them His scars and reaffirmed His offer of peace to them.

My friend, in these days, when our peace is being stolen, may I remind you of these profound promises?

  • “In me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
  • “Peace from God our Father.” Rom. 1:7
  • “For the Kingdom of God is righteousness, PEACE, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 14:17
  • “The God of hope will fill you with peace…” Rom. 15:13
  • “The God of peace will be with you.” Rom. 15:33
  • “The God of peace will soon crush Satan…” Rom. 16:20
  • “God is not the God of confusion, but a God of peace.” 1 Cor. 14:33
  • Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22
  • “He is our peace who has broken down every wall.” Eph. 2:14-18
  • “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds.” Phil. 4:7
  • “The peace of God will rule in your hearts…” Col. 3:20
  • “Seek peace and pursue it.” 2 Pet. 3:11
  • “grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus.” 2 Pet. 1:2

You see, scripture is full of reminders to us who become anxious and alarmed, that as we adjust our focus to God and His kingdom, where Jesus reigns as the Prince of Peace, we find our internal storms calming. Just like when Jesus told the storm on the sea – he says to our mental storm – “Peace be still”. And guess what? It has to obey Him, cuz He has all power and authority. He’s the Commander, and His peace surpasses our understanding.

The reality of Jesus’ peace for us becomes evident when we realize that although we live in this earthly kingdom with wars and other robbers of peace, we belong to another, eternal kingdom that is very much real. Our focus has to stay on the Prince of the Heavenly Kingdom – Jesus, and not the rider on a red horse with his permit, for he has only limited permissions.

Our Jesus, who is Faithful and True, the King of Kings, will come again on a horse, as well, and the kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever. Revelation 11:15

The red rider may have permits to take your peace, but he needs your permission too, and you do not have to give it to him because Jesus has given you His peace.

Shalom,

Debbie

How to Live in Peace and not Anxiety

August 3, 2021Blog, Encouragement, 1 Comment

Living in peace in these days, is a skill and life choice not only worth pursuing but vital to your all round health.

Alot is being said about mental health and praise is offered in support of those who take steps they deem needed to ensure their own mental health.With or without athletic competition in your life, how to live in peace and not anxiety is important.

So, how’s YOUR peace? What’s your anxiety level? How can you manage to live in peace? Let me offer my own suggestions, that I have lived by and found able to keep me in the peace zone.

  1. Slow down – does it ALL really have to be done NOW? Be realistic and objective.
  2. Don’t over schedule – is it really needed and if so, when is the best time for it?
  3. Don’t over think – spending too much time considering every little option along with every related possibility will sabotage and paralyze you
  4. Don’t make mountains out of molehills – is it really that big of a deal?
  5. Get to the root – remove all of the layers and see what the root cause is
  6. Be present in each moment – enjoy the moments, share the laughter and pain
  7. Set filters and boundaries – take active control of what influences you and distracts you
  8. Be thankful – show gratitude with your words and self talk

I have lived what I consider to be a pretty peaceful life and am not driven by anxiety or stress very often. I don’t always get these right, and when I do get them wrong, I am very aware of what I am missing and needing. It is then “easy” for me to focus on what I need to do.

My freind, do what it takes, focus the effort and energy needed for you to live in peace and not anxiety.

Cheers to you,

Debbie