Peace Be with You

I hope you had a nice Easter weekend.  I had such a sweet presence of the Lord with me on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday.  I wasn't feeling well, so it forced me to slow down.  I took that as an opportunity to reflect on each of these special days - reading through the verses of what had taken place on each day.

It struck me that the first words Jesus spoke to His disciples after His resurrection were "Peace be with you!"  He knew the turmoil in their hearts, and He spoke these healing words to calm and reassure them.  Simple, but so very profound.

I was carrying some heavy things on my heart.  As I read the passage of how Jesus spoke to His disciples, I sensed Him saying the same thing to me - "Peace be with you!"  He knew I needed that comfort and assurance.

I wrote recently about the peace that has carried me through all the tumultuous years.  I couldn't have made it without that peace.  And here, once again, God ministered His sweet peace to my heart.  He knew I needed a fresh measure of it - physically, emotionally, spiritually.  His precious peace - what a gift!

"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' "  John 20:19

Peace Like a River

In the recent tumultuous years - the constant up and down - the roller coaster - the massive traumas...there is one thing that has been constant.  Peace!  It sounds incongruous.  Peace in the midst of all the turmoil???  How could it be?

I'm not saying there won't be pressure or stress.  But underneath it all - or perhaps covering over it all - is a peace.  Peace that can only come from the Lord!  It's His gift to us in letting us know He's with us, He's in control even if everything seems out of control.  Peace is His "amen" on the situation.

In the midst of difficult situations, if I would sit quietly and take a deep breath - I could always sense His peace with me.  I was never alone.  He was always by my side.  He was continually guiding me, strengthening me, supporting me, helping me.  I had only to sit in a quiet moment and let His peace wash over me.  "Peace like a river that floodeth my soul."

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  John 14:27

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Colossians 3:15

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."  Psalm 29:11

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3

This verse points out that there are a couple "keys" for us in having peace.  We continually trust the Lord in the difficult situation, and we keep our thoughts on Him - His goodness, His power, His love and care for us.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

I am so grateful for the peace that only God can give.  I could have never made it through all these years without the precious peace that only God can give.  He knew I would need it, and He poured it out into my heart.  He is so good!

Surrounded By His Peace

"You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."  2 Samuel 22:29,30 

I was meditating on this verse recently.  I've faced a number of different challenges in the past few weeks.  None, thankfully, have involved scaling a wall!  But some of them have felt like it!!  I am so grateful how God has walked with me through each challenge.  He has been constantly by my side, advising me, helping me, encouraging me, and strengthening me.  I couldn't make it without Him.

In the midst of these challenges, we have had so many days with beautiful rainbows appearing.  It is unusual - and there have been some stunning ones.  I have taken each one as an opportunity to proclaim and thank the Lord for His promises.  He is faithful.

Most days I see the peacocks walking by on the mountain behind me.  Today they were inside my fence in my driveway and garden.  That doesn't happen very often.  They came in and laid down as if needing a rest.  As I watched them, I felt the Lord speak into my heart that I am surrounded by His peace.  That's why they were immediately laying down to rest.  It was a sweet moment.

I absolutely love how God speaks to me so often through nature - His creation.  His messages come through loud and clear if I just stop to listen.  I'm so grateful for His voice.

"He who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23

"You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice."  Psalm 63:7

"Without me you can do nothing."  John 15:5 

"I know whom I have believed."  2 Timothy 1:12

"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

I'm watching and listening for ways God wants to speak to me - especially through His creation.

Peace and Joy from Within

This is a special month for me.  It marks 17 years since we moved to South Africa to pioneer yet once again!  I have to admit that I was filled with some fear and trepidation to be starting all over at 58 and 61 years of age.  It was just the 2 of us, no team yet, and very little financial support.  I wondered if we were a little bit crazy - but it's not the first time I've wondered that in our unusual life of ministry.  :)

The 17 years have flown by!  They've been filled with some miracles, lots of wonderful people, daily provision - and some very hard things too.  I often refer to it as a roller coaster.  The last 9+ years have been especially challenging with Floyd's illness, my cancer battle, some difficult ministry situations, and Floyd going to be with Jesus after years of suffering.  On the other side of the world, several family members have gone through very difficult things.

And yet - as I look back, as I come to the 17 year mark this month......my heart is filled with gratitude at God's goodness.  The hard things are still there in my memory, but they are overshadowed in light of God's goodness and faithfulness!  He has been so very good to me - day by day - hour by hour!  I couldn't have made it without Him.

We had many promises from the Lord in coming here.  There were some prophetic words about what God had planned.  I've often wondered if the enemy hasn't been trying to destroy what God had ordained.  The enemy won't win - all he can do is slow things down a bit.  God will be victorious.  I still cling to those words and promises!

I've been thinking about an illustration Floyd used in preaching.  There are times when God stretches us and has us go "out on a limb" with Him.  It can be scary.  Things happen and we can feel the limb shaking.  We look down and the ground seems further and further away.  We're tempted to run back to the safety of the tree instead of being out on that limb.  We can see the enemy trying to cut off the limb so we'll fall.  But if we stay put, trusting the Lord, and obeying His direction - the Lord will keep us safe and the tree will fall on the enemy!!  It was always such a powerful visual image when Floyd spoke that illustration.  I can hear his words and see the image afresh!

At heart, I'm not a risk taker.  But I am willing to obey the Lord in challenges He brings my way.  I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone in obedience.  I've felt out on a limb quite a few times in these past 17 years.  But I haven't fallen.  God has kept me safe on the limb, holding my hand, and taking care of me!  Where God has called me, being on that limb is the safest place to be!!

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand."  Psalm 37:23,24 

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."  Isaiah 43:18,19

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28 NIV

"But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"  1 Corinthians 15:57

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

17 is one of my favorite numbers, so I'm celebrating my 17 years here!  It's a miracle on several levels that I'm here.  My heart is filled with gratefulness and worship.  I am blessed! 

Amidst the miracles and gratitude though, it can be hard to find our own individual sense of peace and happiness with so much happening in our world these days.  It's so unsettling and grievous. 

I read about a young woman who had been crippled with polio from a young age.  She said that, in her experience, she had found suffering and pain to be great character builders.  The suffering isn't good in itself, but it helps us shift our expectation of happiness from without to searching for it from within.

That has definitely been my experience in the trials of recent years.  My sense of peace, my stability, my happiness has come from within - from my personal walk with the Lord.  The path of trust and obedience kept me centered and at peace.  Time and time again when something new was "thrown" at me, I immediately went to the Lord.  

Sometimes it meant offering up a silent prayer while I sat in the doctor's office.  Other times it meant sitting with tears pouring down my face as I cried out to the Lord.  Often it meant sitting by Floyd's bed and praying "with" him as I spoke out our needs.  Many times it meant singing and praying everything out to the Lord as I did my daily walk on my deck.  And, of course, I asked for the prayers of others through the updates that I send out weekly.  It seems unbelievable now, but for about 18 months I wrote those updates daily - that's how "severe" my need was for the Lord's help.  The "outward" circumstances were crushing - but God met me over and over again in my "inner" being.  Oh how good and faithful He's been.

Peace, stability, and happiness aren't found by pursuing them.  They are found by pursuing an ever-closer-and-closer walk with the Lord.  He gives peace and happiness that no person or thing can give.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"  Psalm 34:8

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord your God."  Isaiah 43:1-3

I have walked through some waters, passed through rivers, and been in flames all around me - but God has led me, protected me, and covered me with His peace.  In the midst of many, many hard things - my heart has been filled with joy, with happiness even, because of His love and grace.  There aren't even enough words to express how thankful I am!

His Presence in the Tunnel

Last week I was at the hospital having a test done.  Because of our load shedding (loss of electricity), everything took longer than normal.  I ended up being at the hospital much longer than anticipated.  I thought I had prepared safety wise - wearing a mask and sanitizing my hands often......but I managed to pick up a "bug."  I woke up horribly ill last Friday morning.  It hit like a bolt of lightening.

While I was sick, I was reminded of a quote from Corrie ten Boom.  "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off.  You sit still and trust the engineer."

The unexpected sickness felt like going through a dark tunnel - BUT I sensed the Lord's presence all around me.  He is so faithful!

"Here's what I've learned through it all:  Don't give up; don't be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord.  Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope.  Yes, keep on waiting - for He will never disappoint you."  Psalm 27:14 TPT

I can't believe we're already in the 3rd month of this new year.  The days are flying by.  It seems like every day there is a new need, a new crisis, a new disaster.  You think there can't be any more tragedies - and then a new one comes.

The Lord has been reminding me of how important it is to keep my eyes on Him.  If I look around me or look around the world at all that is happening, I can easily get overwhelmed and discouraged.  My heart breaks for the suffering in Ukraine......and for the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. There has been great suffering in southeast Africa from a cyclone that hit.  Every direction you look around the world, there is suffering.

And there is suffering for many of us in our individual lives - loss of a loved one, financial worries, sickness.  We absolutely have to keep our focus on the Lord.  He doesn't intend for us to carry the burdens.  Recently some things happened that were unsettling to me.  They were distracting me.  I realized I was losing the peace that the Lord has so graciously given me through the years of cancer and Floyd's illness.

I had to give those unsettling things to the Lord.  In a world of so much uncertainty and suffering, I must constantly keep looking to Jesus.  As I gave each thing to Him, my peace returned.  What a sweet gift it is!

Corrie ten Boom said:  "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed.  If you look within, you'll be depressed.  But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest."  Amen!!

Adversities in life will always be with us - but God is also with us, and He is greater than any adversity we face.  This little guideline is a good one to keep in mind…

Trust in His timing.

Rely on His promises.

Wait for His answers.

Believe in His miracles.

Rejoice in His goodness.

Relax in His presence. 

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus."  Hebrews 12:1,2

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28,29

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

That blessed peace that only He can give.  How grateful I am for that!