Category Archives: Peace

Refuge from the Storm

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“Rogers Bridge Over Chattahoochee River”

By cBrown.Cooksey

 

The scene above shows the Chattahoochee River on a peaceful summer day. In the past week, however, the rivers and streams in our area of Georgia have become inundated with record rainfall, causing historic, catastrophic flooding. Creeks and rivers have overflowed their banks, causing massive destruction to anything in their downstream paths. Roads and bridges have been washed away. Homes, businesses, churches, schools and other personal property have been destroyed. Lives have forever been changed. Even at this very moment, more rain is pelting our roof and flashflood warnings blare on the television. Through all of this, I know that I must trust firmly and completely in God.

 

At times our lives can seem as though we are consumed by floodwaters in other ways. We can be overwhelmed with financial strain or relational struggles.  A longterm illness can drain our strength and sink our hope. The death of a loved one can engulf our hearts and take us to the miry depths of grief. Regardless of the crisis in our lives, there is One whom we can call upon to save us. He is our Solid Rock and our Firm Foundation. He is our Refuge from the Storms of Life. Call out to God in your distress…He is listening! “Save me, O God…Answer me out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy, turn to me. Come near and rescue me!”  Let this be your prayer…

 

Psalm 69

1 Save me, O God,
       for the waters have come up to my neck.

2 I sink in the miry depths,
       where there is no foothold.
       I have come into the deep waters;
       the floods engulf me.

14 Rescue me from the mire;
       do not let me sink;
     

15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
       or the depths swallow me up …
 
16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
       in your great mercy turn to me.

18 Come near and rescue me;

Cling to God for your Help

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Psalm 63:7-8 (New International Version)

7 Because you are my help,
       I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul clings to you;
       your right hand upholds me.

 

No matter what you may be going through, remember that God is your Help. Allow your soul to Cling to Him and His word for your guidance, wisdom, counsel, protection, provision, healing, deliverance, shield, refuge, fortress, and peace. He promises to be all these things and more for His Children.

Sing in the Shadow of His Wings!

Everything

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This is an amazing song by Tim Hughes…I’ve heard it many times before, but this weekend I happened to focus on the words to the song.  Listen and Read the lyrics as you watch the breathtakingly beautiful photographs of God’s creation.  Let the words really sink in.  “Be my Everything!!” 

Blessing of Peace

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Peace on Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Peace on Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

 

“The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you
and be Gracious to you.
The Lord turn His face toward you
and give you Peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

While reading this beautiful blessing, I felt the overwhelming urge to pray this as a prayer for all my friends and family. What more could I pray for others than these simple, yet powerful intersessions? 

No matter what is happening in the lives of others, this prayer would apply to all.

Basically the prayer asks the following precious requests of the Lord for others:

That the Lord…
1  Bless them
2. Keep Them
3.  Make His face SHINE upon them
4.  Be Gracious to them
5.  Turn His face toward them
6.  Grant them PEACE.

When reading these verses, I envision being held in our Father’s arms, as though He were cradling His child.  His FACE is TURNED and looking toward His loved one and SHINING the comforting, soothing warmth of His intent gaze upon His own.  In that spot He KEEPS us close to His heart and BLESSES us with His love and GRACIOUSNESS.  As we focus on Him and  His love, we relax in His embrace allowing His PEACE to  flood our souls and wash away any traces of fear, pain, heartache, worry or discord.  What a BLESSING!!

May the Lord grant you this beautiful blessing of PEACE!!

Perfect Peace for the New Year

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You Will Keep in

Perfect Peace

All

Who Trust in You,

All

Whose Thoughts are Fixed on You!

Isaiah 26:3

 

The thought of  “Perfect Peace” is so appealing to me.  I want Perfect Peace in my life…Not just plain peace…PERFECT peace!  I long for that feeling daily.  This verse tells me exactly how I can continually stay in the state of blissful contentment.  There are two simple steps that I must remember.  In fact, I plan to use them as my New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Trust God completely.

2 Fix my thoughts upon Him.

Why is it that I allow doubts to shadow my trust in Him?  Why do I allow my thoughts to run in every direction except toward the One who knows my whole story and has my very best interest in mind?  I pray that the year of 2009 will be one of Perfect Peace for me.  Whatever events may be happening in my life, I will focus on the Prince of Peace and trust Him to lead me in the path of His light and to flood my soul with flawless serenity.  I pray that others will join me in this simple plan for perfect peace.

 

 

Let the New Begin…

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Colors of Hope

Colors of Hope

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a New Creation.
        The Old Life is Gone.

A New Life Has Begun!

   2 Corinthians 5:17

Peace and Blessings to you as you begin ths NEW YEAR!!!

Trust God Alone…

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Do not put your trust in princes,

in mortal men who cannot save…”

Psalm 146:3

In the midst of our presidential election, it seems we have become caught up in thinking that one candidate or the other will solve all the problems for our country.  We think that if our candidate doesn’t win in November, our hope is lost.  No matter how our outward circumstances look, we should never look to a leader (man) as our ‘savior.’  Trust in God alone.  He is the only SAVIOR your life (and our country) will ever need.  Turn to Him and He will be your fortress and your rock.  He will also bring you peace and comfort, hope and joy.   He promises to be our “ever present help in times of trouble.” 

 Trust Him Alone!

 

Peace and Prosperity…

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Submit to God, and you will have peace;

then prosperity will come to you.

Listen to His instructions and store them in your heart.

The Almighty Himself will be your Treasure

Job 22:21-25