REAL PEACE IS OBTAINABLE not just in heaven, but here, too. “I came that
Scripture tells us “Come to me, all you who they may have life, and have it abun-
are weary and burdened, and I will give you dantly” (John 10:10b, NAS).
rest. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and REAL PEACE IS NEVER FOUND IN EARTHLY THINGS
you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke You see, healing, peace, rest, and even
is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew laughter, are byproducts of a personal rela-
11:28-30). tionship with God. On our own, we won’t
So why are so many of us living in have any of these qualities for long, if we are
anxiety and unrest? Granted, there may be nu- lucky enough to have them at all. They
tritional and chemical reasons for this. We do won’t be found in things or by staying busy.
live in an environment which is toxic, both
chemically and stress-induced! But I believe REAL PEACE LASTS
there are also spiritual reasons for the lack of True lasting peace and joy can only be con-
peace in our world today. I feel the reason sistently present as we live a life in a rela-
some of us are struggling so much is because tionship with Jesus Christ, the author and
many people have no relationship at all with perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 tells us
God. Did you know that in His presence is “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
fullness of joy? perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set be-
fore him endured the cross, scorning its
REAL PEACE REQUIRES A RELATIONSHIP shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
Proverbs 18:14 states “A man’s spirit sustains throne of God.”
him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can
bear?” Also Proverbs 17:22 says “A cheerful REAL PEACE VOIDS FEAR
heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit If you struggle with fear, for example, con-
dries up the bones.” sider this: A relationship with God will, lit-
If we are not cheery and restful, our erally, stop fear. God’s voice tells you a dif-
bodies cannot heal. In fact, we can become ferent story than what you see with your
quite sick, even if we were not in a physically natural eyes. You can’t beat God’s grace in
weakened condition to begin with. Lack of a the midst of trouble. Yes, things will happen
relationship with God will, undoubtedly, to us, but isn’t it so comforting to know that
cause a person to feel stressed out. A bumper the voice of truth says not to be afraid?
sticker I’ve seen states this very simply “Know “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
Christ, Know Peace. No Christ, No Peace.” you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do
REAL PEACE IS FOUND IN SALVATION not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Where is the security in your future without
God to turn to? May I boldly say that without Iris Smith and her husband Cy have a ministry called
God we are nothing? Salvation not only gives In His Steps which is a Ministry Associate of Joni and
us eternal life with God, it brings us into a Friends International Disability Ministry. They serve people with disabilities by sharing a quarterly news-
personal relationship with Him. “And anyone letter of encouragement with a word from God and
who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. testimonies from others. They come alongside indi-
Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never viduals as the Lord leads to uplift them in their strug-gles, whether physical or emotional. Iris teaches a
experience eternal life but remains under Bible study through her church, currently teaching
God’s angry judgment” (John 3:3,6 NLT). And from Joni’s book When God Weeps.
God says that He has given us abundant life,
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