See how peaceful the water was this hot July day? Ahhh.
As l reflect back on this past week, I think of many who are feeling or needing PEACE. Whatever their circumstance is, peace is much needed.
On the Fourth of July you see the PEACE sign being displayed in some form or fashion. PEACE is something we all desire.
Yesterday morning I opened the verse for the day to read Isaiah 12:4, “At that time you will say, ‘Praise the Lord and call out His name! Tell everyone what He has done and how wonderful He is.’” So I was curious as what the entire chapter was about so I could see what “at that time” the scripture was talking about. Lo-and-behold if chapter 12 didn’t start with those same words. (I love how God’s word challenges me to dig deeper into it!) So…I scrolled back to chapter 11 and discovered this title, “The King of PEACE is Coming!” (I must say there is an underlying theme here…PEACE.)
Riding out on the boat for a day of fishing offshore, was peaceful as I watched the sun rising in the morning sky. The gulf waters were calm. Whether we could see land, other boats or not, peace was what I felt. I just couldn’t escape the word PEACE for the day.
When you checkout the antonyms of peace you read words like: hate, disagreement, agitation, frustration, worry, and war. I’m pretty confident that we all could recall a time(s) in our lives when we could apply any of those antonyms.
Romans 8:6 says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” Hmmm…death or life and peace? That’s a no brainer. I choose life and peace. But in order to live a life of peace I must give God control of my life and not self.
I pray that you will do as Paul penned in 2 Corinthians 13:11, “Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and PEACE. Thenthe God of love and PEACE will be with you.”
I pray God’s abundant love and blessings for y’all.
Just a smiley side note…as I was typing this journal entry, Tim said I should take a picture of the three areas that the kids are sleeping in while in the vacation home. I quickly replied, “NO! I choose to live in PEACE right now and that would bring on a feeling of agitation.” You and I have a choice…peace or not.
What????? My grandkids are messy??????.)
Yes, they have their moments. But we’ll take them through the good, bad, and ugly. 😉 Regardless of those messy moments, they are pretty awesome kids.