Choose Peace

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4: 2–3 NIV®

Alfred Nobel made a fortune from the invention of dynamite,
which changed the course of warfare.
Perhaps because of the horrors that wars inflicted with the use of dynamite,
he made a provision in his will for a prize
to be given annually to those who worked to promote peace.
Today it’s called the Nobel Peace Prize.

God’s expression of peace to the world was his Son.
When Jesus was born, the angels’ clear unmistakable message to the shepherds was
on earth peace, goodwill toward men. (Luke 2: 14)
The Biblical definition of peace is, first of all, peace with God (Romans 5: 1).
Sin makes enemies with God (v.10),
but Jesus coming to this earth and dying on the cross turned away God’s wrath.
We can now be reconciled with God.
Jesus enables us to work at breaking down the barriers between us and others.

Peace is to the Kingdom of God what oxygen is to the atmosphere.
Considering this truth, you may be wondering why you so often feel agitated and anxious.
Think of it this way, though oxygen permeates the air around us,
we must breathe it into our lungs for it to do us any good.
You must choose to let God rule in your heart. You must invite him in.
As you open your heart to him, the peace will follow.

You Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you.

Isaiah 26: 3

When you are praying about an important decision or life choice,
you should pay close attention to the amount of peace you have concerning it.
In any case, you should not move when your peace is replaced by a sense of anxiety or unrest.
Move back in the other direction until the peace returns.
You will never go wrong as long as you follow the peace.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God; and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6–7 NIV®

So we can have peace with God and the peace of God.

Source: Our Daily Bread

Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, today we come to you for providence and peace
in a world where life is unpredictable, anxious, and fearful, due to the coronavirus.
Father, some days are hard but we are learning more and more to rest in you;
despite all that might be happening to us and around us.
Your promises assure us that we can cast our burdens on you
because you are a loving and merciful Father.
We know that you are walking with us
and whenever we feel overburdened we can come apart,
rest and be at peace in your presence.
Help us to speak truth with grace, compassion and peace:
to ourselves, to our families, friends, neighbours, places of work, and to our church family.
Please give your kindness, patience and peace
to staff taking care of patients in hospitals, care homes and nursing homes;
as well as those at home in need of health support.
Compassionate God, we take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Amen

Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.

Job 22: 21 NIV®

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12: 17–18 NIV®

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing; and cultivate thankfulness.

Colossians 3: 15 The Message Study Bible

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we;
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment, in peace eternally,
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Glynne Gordon-Carter