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Source of Peace

The past few days I can't get the image of the Cross in the barn at Billy Graham's residence in North Carolina out of my mind.  The scene is so peaceful and quiet.  Here is this man living in peace but renowned by a bustling and chaotic world.  

Where did this peace come from?  Man has not been able to create peace.  Jesus himself said He brought a sword and would turn a man against his father. - Matthew 10:34-35.   

I've never met Billy Graham but I know where his peace came from.  His peace came from God through Jesus.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't peaceful.  It's about God providing His only Son to die for us so that we can be free.  If we believe this to be true, and we surrender our lives to God through Jesus, then we are free men and we live in peace.  We won't find peace through others, or from ourselves. 

Through Jesus we can live in peace even when the world around us is churning.  This peace brings creativity, perspective, wisdom, and many other fruits the world simply doesn't have a seed for.  

The seed for everything we strive for is Jesus.  The seed is already paid for and available to us right now.

If you're desperately seeking peace in your life stop what you are doing and ask accept Jesus Christ into your life.  Surrender everything you have to God and let Him bring peace into your life.  I promise - you will not regret this decision.

Envy's Decay

If prosperity's first step is humility, then calamity begins with envy. Humility places others in higher regard than ourselves and  opposes selfish ambition.

Envy pushes us to elevate ourselves above others.  Envious hearts direct actions that will absolutely result in disaster for you and anyone depending on you.  Envy drives us to achieve things we were never intended to achieve.  Envy drains our peace, energy, and happiness.

You were not designed to rule over people, to run someone else's race, or to have someone else's life. You were designed to put your gifts and talents to work helping others. You were built for a challenge only you can overcome. You're built for a life far better than any you could copy.  Fulfilling your own purpose refreshes, energizes, and increases joy in your life.

If your decisions are hurting you more than helping, stop what you're doing and ask God for help. Read James Chapter 3, and ask God to show you the steps to get on track fulfilling the purpose He designed in you.

Your Dream is Real

You were created for a purpose and those things you are exceptional at are evidence your dream is real.

The purpose you were born with is inside of you and the talents you have are evidence of this purpose.  The lie people believe is they aren't good enough, or they need to manipulate to achieve their dream.  Another lie is you need to work hard and sacrifice all other aspects of life to achieve your dream.

The dream you have was deposited inside of you to help you and to make you prosper.  It's already in motion, you don't need to earn it, and the sacrifice has already been made.

If you're struggling to achieve your dreams and the people you look towards for inspiration are only causing frustration - turn to Jesus.  Sit still for a few moments and surrender all your work and craftiness to Him.  It's already yours.  The life everyone is searching for is in Him and ready for you.

Calm is Powerful

Our ears were popping, the noise was deafening and the situation was not changing despite our efforts.   The boat was trying to kill us.

I moved to the diving officer station where the diving officer was intensely observing gauges to find a solution.  Everyone was notably shaken, but calm.  After a short moment the captain walked in and very calmly gave clear instructions.  Within seconds we were in control of the situation.  The calm in that control room ushered in confidence and creativity to sort out the situation.  

Calm overpowered the thing trying to get us that day.

Our instinct in chaos and danger is to respond in kind through powerless worry and anxiety.  But calm is power.  

Today respond to the chaos in your life with a calm rebuke with faith in God.  Give the situation over to the Lord and ask for confidence and creativity to work through a solution.  

 

Peace

The world is increasingly complicated and chaotic.  Peace is rare and difficult to find in the world around us, but it is available to you.    

Peace comes when we hand over the chaos in our world to Jesus.  This is why Jesus said not to worry and explained, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33

I've seen people do all kinds of things to battle chaos in their worlds.  People try to create a peaceful atmosphere, practice clearing their minds, participate in extreme exercise, and even undergo surgical procedures to reduce stress.  These tactics do not resolve the source of chaos.  They just treat the symptoms.    

A simple and effective way to cut the chaos out of your life is to just surrender this stress to Jesus each day and let his peace reign in your life.