Tag: peace | Page 2

Fear Not 365 – For God Gives Peace

April 1, 2017 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

I grew up watching kids the age of my older brothers and sister march for peace while there was clearly no peace in their hearts. That same generation has spent the last 30 years at war. Multiple wars. First was the war on drugs, followed by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The War on Terror. Each of these wars has the propensity to last forever. Those kids have never obtained peace.

That generation – my generation – learned more than “duck and cover” during their impressionable childhood years of the Cold War. They learned that by keeping a nation in fear, they could keep them bound in chains. The truly sad part is that, whether they realize it or not, those who create an atmosphere of fear are in the employment of Satan.

Yes, Satan uses fear to manipulate and bind believers. If he can plant fear in your heart, then you will begin to lose faith, doubt the power of God, fail to seek divine guidance, and take matters into your own hands.

God on the other hand creates peace in your heart, gives you comfort and guidance, even in the turmoil of this frightening world. And, He creates unity in the body of believers.
Fear Not, for when God rules your life, you discover peace in your heart and unity in the church.

The Blessings of a Storm

August 27, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

I did not know His love before,

The way I know it now.

I could not see my need for Him,

My pride would not allow.

I had it all, without a care,

The “self-sufficient” lie.

My path was smooth, my sea was still,

Not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me,

I thought I’d seen His grace,

I thought I did not need to grow,

I thought I’d found my place.

But when the way grew rough and dark,

The storm clouds quickly rolled;

The waves began to rock my ship,

My anchor would not hold.
The ship that I had built myself

Was made of foolish pride.

It fell apart and left me bare,

With nowhere else to hide.

I had no strength or faith to face

The trials that lay ahead,

And so I simply prayed to Him

And bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me,

And then He helped me stand.

He said, “You still must face this storm,

But I will hold your hand.”

So through the dark and lonely night

He guided me through pain.

I could not see the light of day

Or when the storm might wane.
Yet through the aches and endless tears,

My faith began to grow.

I could not see it at the time,

But my light began to glow.

I saw God’s love in brand new light,

His grace and mercy, too.

For only when all self was gone

Could Jesus’ love shine through.
It was not easy in the storm,

I sometimes wondered, “Why?”

At times I thought, “I can’t go on.”

I’d hurt and doubt and cry.

But Jesus never left my side,

He guided me each day.

Through pain and strife,

Through fire and flood,

He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before

How great His love can be.

How in my weakness He is strong,

How Jesus cares for me!

He worked it all out for my good,

Although the way was rough.

He only sent what I could bear,

And then He cried, “Enough!”
He raised His hand and said, “Be still!”

He made the storm clouds cease.

He opened up the gates of joy

And flooded me with peace.

I see His face now clearer still,

I felt His presence strong.

I found anew His faithfulness,

He never did me wrong.
Now I know more storms will come,

But only for my good,

For pain and tears have helped me grow

As naught else ever could.

I still have so much more to learn

As Jesus works in me;

If in the storm I’ll love Him more,

That’s where I want to be.
Written By:

Wendy Greiner Lefko

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.

And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are preparing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:35-41

Fruits of the Spirit

August 26, 2016 by ChristianHolinessDaily Leave a Comment

I often forget that many of my readers are new Christians I use expressions with which some may not be familiar. Though the Bible has been around for the better part of two millennium, many folk have never picked it up and skimmed it. Few have read it through. Fewer still study it regularly. So, I will endeavor to use less “church talk.”
The “fruit of the spirit” is a simple list of nine qualities that a mature Christian should exhibit. By mature, I mean one who has developed a regular prayer life, regularly studies her Bible, and seeks to grow so deep in a personal relationship with God that His will become her heart’s desire.

Those nine things (“fruits”) are:

Love

Joy

Peace

Longsuffering (patience)

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-control

The Catholic church adds:

Generosity

Modesty

Chastity

We are never to judge others; that’s not why the Apostle Paul penned this list. He wrote it so that we may examine our own heart. If you are a growing Christian, you will begin seeing these attributes in your own life.

Nor are we to be “fruit inspectors.” Some who call themselves Christians justify judging and gossiping about others by quoting this verse from Matthew 7:17-20.

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Put in context with the verses preceding it, and one sees Christ referring to false prophets. If we judge the quality of anyone’s life we should begin and end with our own.

Does my life exhibit love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, generosity, modesty, and chastity?

I admit it; I’m lacking in many areas. But I’m surrendered to Christ’s will, and pray He has patience with me and helps me grow and bear good fruit. God fruit.