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2015: The Year of Peace

I love hanging up a new calendar. It is like making a fresh start, a blank slate to on which to write plans for the new year, one I hope will be better then the last. Too often, with great determination we make plans to pursue things we are sure will make our lives better—a new job, a new house, new friends, more travel…or more time for just plain fun! As important as they seem, these cannot bring lasting change or give us the special year we desire. The pleasure is gone as soon as the new boss is unreasonable, the first mortgage payment is due, or when we realize our new friends are using us for their benefit.

Or maybe your plans for this new year include the goal to have peace…peace with your family, friends, yourself or even with God. A goal, that as admirable as it is, seems totally impossible. How, you think, can I achieve peace this year, when I have failed so many times before?

Throughout the bible, God makes it clear that the only way to achieve peace…lasting peace is to pursue peace with Him first. Then we will find the peace we desire within ourselves and our relationships.

 Those who love Your law have great peace,and nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119:165

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Let No One Deceive You

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.        Colossians 2:8

Our world is full of talk…opinions and advice is free flowing.  How can we know what to believe?  How can we not be taken captive by the words of the world, when they sound so good?

Would it help if we…

  • Continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not move away from the hope of the gospel… Col 1:23
  • Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Col. 3:1
  • Let the word of Christ richly dwell within us, with all wisdom… Col 3:16
  • Pray…to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects… Col 1:9-10

Remember…

For since in the wisdom of God the world through it wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  1 Corinthians 1:21

Sherry