THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Lord, Your peace, which is above and beyond any faux or temporary peace this world offers, is needed today more than ever. Life is more meaningful when Your peace rules our life. My friend Al said it succinctly—only an idiot would stand in line to return Your gift of peace. Who doesn’t want Your peace in their heart? Evidently, some do.

Colossians 3:15 implores us to:

“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (NLT)

Writers pay attention to words because words matter. Another word for “let” is “allow.” The Apostle Paul encourages us to allow God’s peace to rule our lives. Allowing indicates I have a choice. I can open my heart to receive Your peace or close my heart to the Spirit and fight spiritual battles on my own. The latter would make me a person standing in the return line.

Lord, how do we allow Your peace to rule our heart? Paul shared the ‘secret’ of continually living in peace. “And always be thankful.” Continual praise and adoration, Lord, increases Your peace and presence in our lives. Where praise and worship abound, gloom, stress, and anxiety are forced to leave. All creation praises You, so who am I to withhold my praise? Where does praise lead?

“Then you will experience Christ’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

Lord, You are the Prince of peace. May I always allow Your peace to rule my life. Amen.