When writing these devotions, I usually just wait for a scripture
or a verse to ‘speak to me’. Today while I was reading my Bible and devotions,
I wasn’t sure which direction to go for the devotion and then the word ‘Peace’
came to mind and while I was asking GOD if HE wanted me to write on peace, the
horrific thunderstorm we’ve been having for the past 8 hours quieted down and
all was peaceful…which made me think of the scripture John 6:20 in today’s reading,
I think this is where GOD wants us to go today!
But Yeshua said to them, “I AM THE LIVING GOD, do not be
afraid.” (Aramaic Bible in Plain English 2010)
Jesus is the peace in every storm, in every trial, in every situation;
HE alone can bring us the peace we need. When we are going through these
difficult storms of life, when it seems as if life is beating us down (and
winning) we can not only survive during these times, we can thrive when we have
GOD’s peace.
Some storms can come at you fast; out of nowhere you’re
being hit by some trials you didn’t even know were possible. Other storms
slowly set in, brewing off in the distance, you know they are coming, you even have
time to prepare and hunker down while you ride out the storm. In order to have
GOD’s peace, you need to have faith that HE can get you through your trials and
tribulations. GOD never brings you to
your knees, but while you’re down there is when you realize just how much you
do need HIM.
If you were going to go through a Hurricane or a Tornado,
you would want to be in a very strong structure. You would want to be
fortified in a home that was built with the best materials and by the best
builders. Most people like to be prepared before a storm is even a
possibility, that’s why they have building codes, so you can withstand the big
storms when they do come. Like a builder, you want to have a strong structure
to protect you from the storms of LIFE, and you can strengthen yourself by
building up your faith. Our faith can either be well fed and strong or it can
be weak and withered.
Our faith is fed by the Word of GOD, time spent
with GOD in prayer or meditation. AThe storms we endure build onto our faith,
like a wall that is re-enforced, the more storms we endure with GOD, we walk
out on the other side, strengthened and encouraged. The more time we spend in
GOD’s word, the more our Spirit is fed.
Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35 NLT)
A person that wants to build muscle, they don’t just
exercise they follow a sensible diet for building muscle as well. The foods
they eat are not junk food and sweets, but good nourishing foods for their body
to grow and be healthier – so instead of feeding your faith with ‘junk’, feed
your faith with the Word of GOD; remember the ‘garbage in, garbage out’
philosophy! A muscle builder is not able to build muscle if he's only eating lettuce and tomatoes either. He can't eat one small meal a week, we're trying to build muscle here. You can't sit down and read a scripture a day and say, I'm full now; get into the Word, feast on it, the more you read, the more you'll want to read GOD's Word - it ALWAYS satisfies!
The definition of exercise is a set of movements, questions,
tasks, etc., designed to train, improve, or test one's ability in a particular
field. Thus why we need to learn to ‘exercise’ our faith for it to grow
stronger. We can’t be a couch potato and build strong muscles – when circumstances are pounding you down, you exercise your
faith, by pulling yourself up off the ground, walking forward through the storm and say, “GOD I
don’t know why I’m going through this, but I know it’s not from you and I know
you are here with me and you’ve never left my side. I know that if GOD is for
me, than who can be against me, I know that I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me and I know that although a thousand may fall at my side and
ten thousand at your right hand, they shall not come near me!!” Your
faith will grow more than it was before, so that the next storm, you are not
only stronger in your faith, you can encourage others and comfort them when
they are taking on a storm in their life!
“I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And
the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or
afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
Our faith in GOD is what allows us to have peace during the
storms of life. Our peace and joy is not based on our external circumstances,
but by the relationship we have with our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus said it
HIMSELF that HE is the only one who can give us the peace that surpasses all
peace. This peace Jesus gives can only be received by those who have accepted
Jesus by faith, faith that HE is the Son of GOD, that HE died on the cross for
our sins and the HE rose again on the third day and is now seated in Heaven at
GOD’s right hand! So accept GOD’s peace and stand strong Child of GOD, you are will overcome!
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this
is the victory that has overcome the world our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NKJV)