Peace

 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:7-8

People are searching for peace in the world.

They are searching in the wrong places.

Book stores and library shelves are lined with self-help books, prayers, chants, meditations, crystals, candles, incense, philosophies, opinions, traditions and even superstitions. YouTube has endless videos of celebrities, Guru's, and philosophers who will walk and talk you through any crisis. 

They seem to have all of the answers but leave the Searcher anxious and hopeless.

But God.

How can a person find peace?

It comes from surrendering control over to God.

This peace is securely held in place by faith in Jesus Christ.  According to Albert Barnes, "Instead of fretting over worldly or corrupting concerns, Believers are meant to purposefully meditate on anything that is true, pure, lovey and of a good report.  Whatever is inherently excellent or worthy of praise should be the focus of the Christian's careful consideration and practice."

Today, when I read what to think on, I compared it to what I should not think on.

For example:

Instead of focusing on lies, I will focus on truth.

Instead of focusing on opinions and deceit, I will focus on honesty.

Instead of focusing on the contaminated, or diluted impure ideologies, I will focus on what is pure.

Instead of focusing on what is ugly, repulsive, awful and terrible, I will focus on what is lovely.

Instead of focusing on gossip and fake News, I will focus on what is uplifting, honorable and gracious: good reports.

Instead of focusing on the negative, I will focus on every excellent thing that is praiseworthy.

Focusing on what is good produces contentment...

        Peace in thought, mind, heart and spirit...

            But that's just me!

"No human philosophy can impart peace to the soul like simple, absolute confidence in God."

Albert Barnes

        

My Expected End

 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

I may not know the 'why's' of what is going on in my life right now...but what I do know is that it will bring me to my 'expected end.'  I don't have to worry about whether or not everything is going to turn out OK.  I'm promised that my end will be what God expected it to be; not what I expected it to be.  I know the end of my story will be the fulfilled purpose God intended my life to be for Him.  Every single situation, circumstance and every person I come into contact with, adds to my expected end.

God is in control, and it's all going to be OK.

In context, Jeremiah was bringing a message of national restoration and faithful endurance for the Jewish exiles facing 70 years of captivity in Babylon.  Can you imagine that?

"Ok, heads up!  You are going to be held in captivity in Babylon for 70 years, but just know that God will not forget you, and remember that this is God's 'peace' towards you and not evil.  God has an 'expected end' for you that will give you a future of hope!"

Sometimes things in my life aren't going so well.  Not what I expected.  Not what I had hoped for.

But God will use everything for His purpose, His plan, His glory...,

    and I can rest in knowing that everything will work out just as God intended it to be...

         to bring me to my expected end...

                but that's just me!

Spell-Check

 As an Advanced Reader for Valerie M. Bodden, I have the privilege to read her soon-to-be-released books before they make their way to hard copy printing.  (Her new book, Love that Lasts, will be released on May 28, 2026) She recently told me that she is grateful for my "feedback and eagle eye in catching those typos' before the book makes its way out into the world."

When I mentioned to my sister that I had just finished proof-reading Valerie's new book, she wrote me back and said, "Speaking of proof-reading, I never find any typos in your email to me, but I do in the Bible verses you send each day."  Then she went on to list my typos and lack of capitalization.  My sister was gently reminding me that I probably should proof-read my own work!

And she was right.

It made me instantly think of Romans 2:1

"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." 

I was reminded that the very things I criticize or judge in others, I tend to do myself. I need to be less focused on what others are doing or not doing, and be more focused on what I need to be doing or not doing.

It's ok to have an 'eagle eye' to catch typos....

    But when it comes to the faults of others, I should turn a blind eye...

        and extend grace...

            But that's just me!

Have It Your Way

We've all heard the Burger King Jingle, "Have it your way." You can special order your burger with as many ingredients as you want, or as few as you want.  Having it your way can be very accommodating.

Or not.

Sometimes getting what we want isn't what's best for us.  I think of the children of Israel whining in the desert for meat because they were getting sick of eating Manna.  Can you imagine?  Getting sick of eating Angel's Food?  But they did.  So, they asked God for meat, and God gave them exactly what they wanted, and yet many choked on it while it was still in their mouths.  Numbers 11:33

Or what about the time when Israel didn't want Judges to have the rule over them, instead they wanted a King?  No matter the warning from Samuel, they were determined to have a King rule over them.  1 Samuel 8

We all know how well that went!

Have you ever asked God for something....and then as time passed, praised Him for not giving you what you asked for?

I have.

God showered His mercy and His grace on me by NOT giving me what I asked for.  He spared me from the heartache and consequences of a prayer request prayed for in the flesh, and not in the Spirit according to His Will.

I was reading Isaiah 55:8-9 the other day and the Lord allowed me to learn something new.  I love it when that happens!  It says: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

We may think we know what we want or what we need, but God knows exactly what we need or don't need.  When I read these verses, I couldn't help but think that when we compare our thoughts to those of God, we are actually bringing Him down to our level.  We try to place God into a contained box, but nothing and no one can contain God.  He permeates every space.  To think that we can identify or figure out the thoughts of God is prideful on our part.  How could we possibly understand His way of thinking when He is a Holy God, Creator God, and we are His creation? How can the clay question the potter?  (Jeremiah 18:6, Isaiah 64:8)    Our thoughts aren't even close to God's thoughts.  So, why do we second guess how God fulfills His purpose in our lives when we know that He works everything out for our own good?  Romans 8:28

How can God speak to me through a verse I've read a thousand times over, and show me something new?  Hmm?  I wonder how He does that?  (wink, wink)

It's not for me to figure out why God is allowing or not allowing something in my life...

    I am to trust Him and know that He knows best...

        But that's just me!

Accolades for Sin

 I've been thinking a lot about Ecclesiastes 1:9 this past week.  It says, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

It's true.

I've also been thinking a lot about how issues in our Society today, were issues that every Society before us also faced; and how God's Word provides everything we need to give us wisdom and guidance to discern each issue.  

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" 2 Peter 1:3

How can something that was written thousands of years ago, read as if it was written just yesterday?

1-Because God never changes: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8

2-Because God's Word is alive: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

3-God's Word is eternal: "But the word of the Lord endureth for ever." 1 Peter 1:25a

An NBA Star died this past week.  It's tragic no matter how you look at it.  But what is more tragic, is the accolades and praise he is receiving by the type of lifestyle he lived.  Every News sound byte began by giving us his name and what he was most known for.  The tragedy behind such accolades is because he was not known for the basketball team he played for, he was not known for his Stats and successes on the court.  No; every sentence spoken by the Newscaster concerning the death of this NBA player began with these words: "The first openly gay player in the NBA."

As Interviews with this player played across the screen, each Interviewer praised his openness concerning his lifestyle.  It seemed as if his sin was all they wanted to talk about.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this same type of wickedness.  The wickedness of taking pride in one's own sin.  Philippians 3:18-19 says, "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"

The Apostle Paul warns against those who live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Who are the enemies Paul is talking about?  Those people who openly boast about and take pride in things that they should actually be ashamed of.

The Apostle Paul discusses this again in Romans 1:32. "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." You can read the sins listed by the Apostle Paul from verses 26-31.  Paul describes a culture of depravity, warning that people who not only commit sins, but 'approve of those who practice them' are acting directly against God's righteous decrees.

In 1 Samuel 6:20b, the men of Bethshemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God?'

The answer: No one.

Every Sinner and Saint will bow the knee when we come face to face with God.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11

Friend-be careful who you praise.  Be careful who you give accolades to.

This sinful world may have praised this man's lifestyle...

    But our Holy God does not...

        But that's just me!

When?

 "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."

Lamentations 3:26

The word salvation in this verse means:

•rescue

•deliverance

•help

•safety, and

•victory

But did you notice that in order to reap those results, we must first hope and quietly wait for the LORD.

Not always easy to do.

I recently spoke with a dear friend of mine and I confessed that I was growing weary in the battle.  Weary from health issues, situations, circumstances, other people.  It's easy to grow weary when you constantly give, and it seems like nothing is returned, after all, God tells us that we will reap what we sow.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:9

As we continued to talk, we suddenly looked at each other as if a light bulb just went on in minds.  (I love that when that happens!)  Yes, we will surely reap what we sow.... but in due season.  Reaping will be in God's Timing.  We might reap in this lifetime here on earth, or it may be part of our heavenly rewards; that is up to God, not us.  Our part is to just keep on keeping on.

My Pastor, Josh Fryman, recently preached on the hope that Jeremiah had.  He reminded me that when we grieve without hope, that is despair, but when we remember GOD, we will always have HOPE. He reminded me that I can have affliction in my situations and my body, but in my soul, I have HOPE!

Just like Jeremiah remembered.

"The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." Lamentations 3:24

The LORD is my portion, my inheritance and He is enough!

I will always have God.

It might seem like we are not reaping what we are sowing...

    But we are...

        And it will be revealed to us soon enough...just don't quit!

            But that's just me!

"There are times when the only thing a sufferer can do is wait for God. But waiting is good because God is worth waiting for." Ryken

What Would You Do?

"Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;" Proverbs 2:11-12

There is a TV Show called, What Would You Do? It's a show that uses actors to stage ethical dilemmas in public to see how bystanders react.  I was put in that situation yesterday morning.  I had walked into the Office of my local Post Office to retrieve a package where I found myself standing behind a man who stood at least 6'4 and was belligerently bullying our Postmaster.  I couldn't believe that I was witnessing such behavior and listening to such hate speech.  I don't know how long this had been going on before I had gotten there, but it continued for an additional five minutes or longer.  As I listened to his complaint and the calm soft answers from our Postmaster, I began to pray.  "Lord, should I step in and say something, or will this man, knowing that I'm standing behind him in line, feel ashamed enough to stop ranting and leave?" As I prayed, another man entered into the Office.  As this bully in front of me continued to belittle, accuse and shame our Postmaster, I turned to the man behind me and looked at him with a questioning look, "What should we do?"  By that time, this man's complaint had now turned into threats.  As I began to open my mouth, our Postmaster said, "And on that note I will ask you to leave."  This bully left the Office but not silently.  I was stunned.  As I approached the counter and our Postmaster turned to retrieve my packages, I told her how sorry I was that she had to endure all of that.  She began to cry.  I immediately walked behind the counter and hugged her until she finished crying. (that is a benefit of living in a small town) I told her that she handled this man with kindness and professionalism that he did not deserve and told her that she needed to write an Incident Report concerning this situation immediately.  As I was leaving, she assured me that she would and that she was OK.

I knew the Lord answered my prayer to remain quiet during battle, and to speak words of comfort in the brokenness.  There have been times in the past when I have spoken up in the battle, and there will be times in the future I will be prompted by the Lord to speak up as well, but yesterday, I was to remain silent.  

Ecclesiastes 3:7b says, "...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."

Discernment and discretion are needed in the battle...

    Make sure you know when to keep silent, and when to speak...

        It will make a difference in the outcome...

            But that's just me!

"Silence is not weakness, it is wisdom at rest." Amish Proverb