KEEPING OUR PEACE IN TIMES LIKE THESE

There is a peace that cannot compare with anything else. The peace that Jesus brings into our hearts and lives. "The world did not give it and the world cannot take it away," as the old song says. However - We can lose it - by giving it away.

If we let the heartaches of this world and the season we are in, overtake us, we can lose our peace and joy. There is strength "in" peace and joy. We lose our "strength" when depression and despair take their place. Doubt's friends, depression and despair, stay ready to "move in" on anyone, at the blink of an eye.

Can a person be filled with no hope and hope at the same time? We must spit out the negative. We must reject the heaviness of the world and replace it with "girding up" in the confidence that we have in Jesus. We either believe Him or we don't. To despair is to doubt God. And this is a huge mistake (as well as a sin). So what do we do?

We must choose the "positivity of God" and not "the negativity in the world" around us. We have a hope and a future. The Lord loves us and chose us for this day and hour to be here. We can waste time and fail Him (and ourselves); or rise up and encourage ourselves that we have a destiny in the Lord's plan for us at this time.  We are the last day messengers. If people do not come to the Lord, they are doomed. And the prophetic clock is ticking. Not only might the people in our paths die lost, but the Antichrist is coming. He will be very, very deceptive and unless people are saved and know the real truth, most likely they will worship him and take his mark.

We must be "the Light" to a dark world. We must keep our faith and peace and joy. It is okay to be hurt or frustrated sometimes, but it is a huge mistake to stay there. The Word of God should come through in us because we choose It, because we believe and trust in His Word and in Him.

Be filled with the trust and confidence in the Lord. Be filled with His Word. Be filled with His praise. Be filled with His Presence.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

As the world drains us, we must continuously be refilled. If not, then we find ourselves in desperate need of spiritual fuel. We can "drive around" right above empty or we can keep our "tanks full and even topped off" - Why run drive around almost empty? Yes, it requires more "fill ups" but then on the long stretches, we will find ourselves prepared.

Here are some comforting verses for such days as we are in.

• Luke 21:19 "By your patience possess your souls."

• Matthew 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

• Luke 17:32-33 "Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it."

• Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

• Revelation 12:11-12 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
  

• 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

What verses help you be strong? I personally love this one:

• 1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Take heart, the Lord wins, He already won as a matter of fact and in Him, we are winners also. Short term trials, can be endured with His strength because we are heading for long term eternity, free from sin and all its baggage! "Utter wonderful" is our destination.

Hold fast and hold on, because, as another song says, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus." It really, really will!