Peace

....I started out this entry with the title "Random thoughts"...but I had to rename it :-)


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Had a good day, but very busy...work was hectic, and I have more things on my plate than I can handle.  Thankfully God has a really big plate, so I'll just slide some off onto his!


Hope you don't mind if I encourage you while I'm encouraging me :-)


Matthew 11:28-30 (The Amplified Bible - aka "the long version")



Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]


Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.


For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.


I came home today pretty tired, and found out that my sweet honey had to work tonight, so I was on my own with the kids for parenting class at church.  After a few sighs, and a pity party...I whispered this..."your grace is sufficient".  And, as always, after a deep breath, I felt better.  


2 Corinthians 12:9
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 


Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


I do not know all that this verse means, but thinking about it tonight I do know this.  God doesn't want for us to be sick, tired, or hurting.  He came that he could bring us abundant life and peace.  But in our weakness, He gets to show Himself strong...He makes us strong, right in the middle of our weakness, the last thing that should be possible.


A couple more good "peace" verses:


Luke 1:79
To shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace.


John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]


Thank you Lord for your peace.  I know that right now my problems are so tiny compared to others around me, help me to always be thankful, not complaining.  Thank you that because I belong to you, I can know...


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