"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Jesus Himself tells us in John 14:27,
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

"For the carnally minded is death, BUT to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:6 (My emphasis)

Jesus says in John 16:33 (the last of His final discourse to His disciples), "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Now with all that is going on in the world, a person can be fearful, worried and anxious. BUT as Believers, we are called to live life differently And how can we do this?

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7,
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Peace moves fears, worry and anxiety out! Trust and thanksgiving stands as a safeguard against them. As fears, worry and anxiety had occupied our mind, now what should our minds dwell on?

Philippians 4:8 tells us,
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

Our verses says we are to meditate on whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, things of virtue and are praiseworthy. Are these not characteristics of our Lord Jesus Christ?! So we are to fill our minds with Him, with trusting thankful hearts.

In speaking of the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, Scripture tells us of Christ Jesus in Ephesians 2:14a, "For He Himself is our peace..."

Our peace is the product of justification as we see in Romans 5:1, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

We are saved, justified, reconciled and have peace with God by His grace through faith and that is not of our own, it is a gift of God! Read it once again in Ephesians 2:8-10 (You all probably can recite it from memory!)

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15

With grateful hearts we say thank you Most Holy and Mighty God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit! And we sing:

"I stand, I stand in awe of You.
I stand, I stand in awe of You,
Holy God to Whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You!
Amen