KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT: PEACE
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace…
Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
"Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, You must be born again. The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit."
John 3:6-8 (NLT)
Years ago, I met a man who told me a story about how he used to be overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. His wife had been very supportive. She tried everything she could to help him. She prayed for him. He wanted to experience God's peace, but they were at a loss about how to get there.
One morning, he got in a car accident and ended up in the hospital. It was then that God began to do a new work in his life. Laying there, unable to be in his usual routine and environment, God began filling him with a peace he had never known. He didn't have to worry about what other people thought of him. He didn't have to worry about performing. All he could do was lay there and heal. Little did he know that God was also healing his soul.
Today's Scripture reminds us not only of the power of the Holy Spirit but also speaks to the timing of the Holy Spirit. God sends His Spirit to blow wherever He wants and whenever He wants. We can't make it happen, and often, we can't see it happen until after it happens.
The man and I have now become friends and remind each other often that God's peace goes beyond our circumstances and is a fruit in our lives that only the Holy Spirit can produce. Meeting this man was such a gift.
APPLICATION: Prioritize your day (or week) to make room to experience God's peace. Slow down. Spend time in quiet in order to allow your heart and mind to stop racing. Take in a deep breath and fill your lungs with air. As you breathe out, release your cares and worries to God. Ask Him to fill you with peace.
PRAYER: God, I long to know the peace that goes beyond what I can understand. I know I can't make this kind of peace happen in my heart, but I know You can. I surrender all my attempts to fix my life and ask You to fill me with peace. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?