Peace: May 5, 2011

MAY 5, 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011

PEACE

DEFINITION:

Freedom from war or civil disorder; harmony in human relations, tranquility, quietness and not quarrelling; freedom from anxiety, annoyance or other mental disturbance; state of calm.

SCRIPTURE:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Have you thought as to how much peace the world has experienced throughout recorded history? The group called CHRISTIAN VICTORY has calculated that since the creation, the world has been entirely at peace for only eight percent of the time. In over 3,100 recorded years of history only 286 years have been without war.

Just look at what has taken place in our world over the last ten years or so. There have been conflicts in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. There have been uprisings in such places as Greece, Libya and Egypt. Men and women have been in constant conflicts down through the ages all because of the sin in their hearts.

The man that created the atomic bomb that was used in 1945 was asked if there was any defense against this weapon. He responded quickly by saying only two words: CERTAINLY --- PEACE.

The scripture tells us that there will always be wars and rumors of war this side of our spending eternity with our Lord and Savior. Complete peace will only occur, according to the scriptures, on this earth during the thousand year reign of Christ after the rapture of the church and the seven year tribulation.

Let us share some thoughts that come to our minds about peace after we have read what Mark records as to the words of Jesus in his book chapter 13 verses 6-13. Jesus has told us why there is no peace and there can be no peace in our world. He says that there will be many deceivers that will come in His name. He says there will be wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famines and troubles.

And for us as believers He says for us to watch out because we will be delivered to councils, beaten, brought to rulers for a testimony to them about our faith in God. And then Jesus says that the gospel must first be preached to all nations. He then tells us that all these things must occur before He comes to this earth as the Prince of Peace.

As we talk to people each day the only reference to peace we hear is that of a hope for world peace in the future. But very few that say they hope this will happen really believe it will happen.

In the verse in John that we have shared with you above, Jesus makes it clear that He offers believers peace but not as the world thinks of peace. The peace that Jesus talks about is the peace that comes to one’s heart when that one accepts Jesus into his or her heart. The word PEACE summarizes God’s message of salvation to us. We read this in Acts 10:36, the message God sent to all people telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ who is the Lord of all.

Both of us wake up every morning with an inward peace in our hearts. We know that because of our faith that Jesus is with us and will lead us and protect us through every activity of the day. Are you experiencing peace in your life each day? This can only come to pass when you have a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

We wonder how those who do not know Jesus as their Savior can have any peace in their heart. They hear the news every day of wars, murders, corruption, kidnapping, terrorism and the list goes on and on. Then they face the personal concerns of job security, spousal problems, and children running wild and economic turmoil. They face all of this with no one that they can rely on throughout the day. Is it any wonder people are stressed?

Contrast today the life that one lives without Jesus and the life one lives with Jesus and the peace that He gives all believers.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse this week is found in Proverbs 22:6.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

PRAYER:

Teach me to pray, not only for my own needs and others, but for peace. Help me to follow Your words by encouraging me to not only pray for peace in our world but for the peace of Jerusalem. Give me a new peace in my heart that comes from You, a peace that passes all understanding.