Peace is not the absence of trouble

Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. 

This verse shows us how we can have peace in the midst of the storm. 

Keeping a mindset of  one that trusts in Jesus' victory over the world and his peace in our troubles. It is a mindset that does not panic or doubt, but takes courage and remains faithful. It is a mindset that sees the hardships of this life as temporary and the joy of God as eternal. It is a mindset that says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

#Scripture 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. 

#shortprayer 

Father God, thank you for your words of comfort and hope. You have spoken to us through your Son, Jesus, who has overcome the world and its troubles. Help us to trust in you and find peace in you, no matter what we face. Give us courage to follow you and share your love with others. We praise you for your victory and your grace. In Jesus Mighty Name Amen 🙏 

Lord Give Me Strength and Comfort

Lord of all power, give me strength. As I feel tossed around by life’s storms, may I know that you are my rock, the solid ground on which I can stand and catch my breath. You are my fortress, Lord. You protect me from harm. You are my deliverer, my shield and my stronghold. You are the one who brings comfort. Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction. I cry out to you in prayer.  Send me your peace thst surpasses all understanding, that i may have hope and rest. May I find my strength in you right now. 

In Jesus Mighty Name,  Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God of All Comfort,  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The enemy cannot defeat you if he can’t disarm you.

The enemy cannot defeat you if he can’t disarm you.

Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.


~~~Reflections~~~

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—  and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

~~~Prayer~~~

 Lord, Thank you for always keeping me prepared. Completely armed at all times with the whole armor of God. You ready me, in all situations. My enemy cannot defeat me, for he can not disarm me with your armor.  Thank You Jesus

Be built up by Faith! Not by Fear!

Jude 1:20-25

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And on some have compassion, making a distinction,
but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire
hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Glory to God

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen.


~~Reflections~~~
Glory to You God!

So many times we allow fear to get in the way of our faith.
This is not what the Lord would have us mature in.
Be built up by faith, not by fear. Be merciful to those who are not yet saved. Or who doubt. Be merciful to those who doubt. May you spread the message of His Love, Mercy and Salvation. 

For He is able to prevent you from stumbling through your faith. You are able to keep yourself in the love of God, by your faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Seek Mercy through
Our Lord Jesus Christ though Faith.

You will be seen unblemished in the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,and much Rejoicing!
Such as a Present, in His Presence you are!
You are much like a present to our Father through His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ.

Think of yourself as a present on Christmas morning as a child would receive that long desired, treasured gift.
That is How God sees you through his Son.
Our Redeemer.

~~~Prayer~~~
May the Lord keep you upright and plant you firmly in His presence
clean, unmarked, and joyful in the light of His glory. Mercy and Peace and Love be multiplied to you, through our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord is at Hand.

Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.


~~~ Reflections ~~~
Most often we are focus only on the things we like or that we are good at doing.
Those things that we aren't interested or we are wanting to accomplish. Our goals.
Really think about it, Nobody wants to fail. Paul even goes to teach us what we
should meditate on. Meditate on whatever is noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy.

Nobody wants to do the things that we don't desire.
Personally, I don't want enjoy confrontation. I try to avoid it. The flight response. 
There are times when the Lord encourages to fight. 
He wants us to be disciplined and grow in the areas we are spiritual weak.
The areas we don't necessarily find exciting or interesting, God can still use us. He can be our mediator. 

When the Lord is at hand, our gentleness can me known to all people, in every situation.
Sounds easy enough. Right?  Not always. Not perfect here.  Sometimes people rub us wrong. God still wants us to love everyone, and share the good news with even those who we may disagree with.  Pray for them, or with them. This takes preparation, routines. Prayer, Focus, and mediation. Phi

God wants us to have the understanding through the Holy Spirit.
The devil is crafty, evil and will try to attack us in the areas of our weakness and vulnerability.
So let's not just commit to be diligent to the Lord,
in the areas of our interest and strengths.
Also in those areas where we are not strong, where we are uncomfortable.
Those situations of an unpleasantness, painful feelings. when we feel embarrassed or nervous.
The Lord can use those for His Glory.


~~~ Prayer ~~~

Father, Be my strength me in the areas where I am most vulnerable to sin or feel uncomfortable. Open my eyes to help me see your will in areas of weakness and in the things I Love to do.  Use me in every area of my life.  Show your gentle kindness to others through me, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rekindle my heart to passionately seek after your holiness, and your will. 
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

unfinished painting?

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

~~~Reflections~~~
God has a Beautiful Finished Painting.
He just hasn't hung it in the gallery for you to see yet.

Peace, Future & Hope. These are things that the Lord thinks towards you.
Sometimes we may have the pleasure of the Lord showing us a glimpse of our future, or somebody else's future.


Of course it is usually like an unfinished painting. "Glimpse"  One day the painting will be revealed Like a fine painting hung in a gallery. Some times you have to place your Faith in the Lord and remember what His thoughts are for YOU!
If you find yourself struggling over something, and are feeling overwhelmed reflect on this scripture.
Claim the Lords word over your life. Your situation. And Trust that His word is Faithful and Truth.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

Or reflect on the History of Joseph and his unfinished painting

https://youtu.be/FOoieyA47i0

Psalm 43:3
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me,
Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.


1 Corinthians 1:8-9
who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bethlehem Ephrathah

The Messiah is Coming

Micah 5:2-5

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”








Therefore He shall give them up,
Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth
Then the remnant of His brethren
Shall return to the children of Israel.

And He shall stand and feed His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God
And they shall abide,
For now He shall be great
To the ends of the earth;
And this One shall be peace.

Health and Healing

He Sent His Word and Healed

Jeremiah 33:5-7
Behold

I will bring it health and healing

I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of

peace and truth.

Grace to You

Philemon 1:3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord is Peace

Judges 6:23-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

23 Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.
 To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

25 Now it came to pass the same night that the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image[b] that is beside it;

Go in Peace

Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

To Titus

Titus 1:4
To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour

grace and peace

Philemon 1:3
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord of Peace Himself

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.
The Lord be with you all.

JEHOVAH-SHALOM

JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24

meaning "The Lord is peace"

Judges 6:24

So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.