Hello and Happy Fourth of July!! I want to share some thoughts about the peace that we have in Christ. To be able to experience peace is something I pray for on a regular basis; but let me clarify: I believe that we already have peace inside of us if we know Jesus as Savior because it is one of the fruit of the Spirit, who lives inside of us. However, sometimes it is hard to experience it when we go through trial after trial in our lives, and especially if we are in a season in which we feel like we are in the valley rather than on the mountaintop. Jesus says in John 14:27 NIRV “I leave my peace with you. I give my peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid.” Sometimes our focus on our troubles blocks the peace Jesus died to give us and we find ourselves “trapped in fear.” We must instead put our whole focus on who God is and how he is in complete and total control over our lives.  We must remind ourselves of what God says and how true it is even when we don’t feel it. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” Isaiah 26:3 NIV. I have noticed in my own life, when I am completely depending on God and standing on his Word, I experience his peace on the inside, in spite of the storm happening on the outside in my life.  I also know now that one of the best ways to experience God’s peace is to just be obedient to what he says. We will never go wrong following after God and doing what he says; as a matter of fact, so many great things come out of walking in the ways of the Lord. “Doing what is right will bring peace and rest. When my people do that, they will stay calm and trust in the Lord forever. They will live in a peaceful land. Their homes will be secure. They will enjoy peace and quiet.” Isaiah 32:17-18 NIRV. If there is one thing I love, it’s peace and quiet!! I hope you all enjoy this holiday weekend and experience the calm and peace that only Jesus can bring.

Songs that are peaceful and calming to me (all by Kari Jobe): “Here,” “Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest),” “The More I Seek You.”