Peace or Not

Peace or not

We live in a world rapidly spinning towards destruction. Scientists are spending their life-work studying the "big bang" theory (their effort to explain creation apart from THE CREATOR). I would venture to guess, they haven't seen anything yet. God promises to destroy the earth, as we know it. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10

With frightening intensity, almost daily we hear of countries at war, earthquakes and hurricanes, economies toppling, accidents and terroristic threats. How can a person have personal inner peace in the midst of such chaos? Few do. Anxiety is one of the leading mental health and counseling issues in the United States. How can we, as Children of the Most High God, be different? How can we stand apart from this frantic world and be at peace? How can we have genuine peace, not artificial peace that the world finds in a bottle or pill, but genuine, deep, abiding peace? "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." John 14:27

Genuine peace is not even possible apart from a saving faith in Jesus Christ. How can one have genuine peace who does not have peace with God or who does not have assurance of their eternal destination? Denial that God exists or of an afterlife doesn't resolve this issue in the heart and life of a non-believer. They will not have genuine peace. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." Romans 5:1

Once a person has entered a personal saving faith relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within them and the fruit of His presence includes peace. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Galatians 5:22-23Here's the bottom line: Our peace, genuine, abiding peace is only possible in relationship with Jesus. It is IN HIM that we have peace. As we possess Christ, we possess peace. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace." John 16:33 "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation" Ephesians 2:14Peace is a work of God in our life as we abide IN CHRIST and yield moment-by-moment to Him, allowing Him to live His life through us in faith. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

May you know Christ today. May you know peace today. Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK

UPCOMING EVENT: Diane is one of the workshop speakers at our 3rd Annual Family and Friends Addiction Seminar: Binding Up the Broken Hearted. Please join Diane, Stephanie, MaryAnn, Bill P. and Jim F. for a day designed to provide practical help for individuals in relationship with an addicted person. It is our desire to give hope to the hopeless and to encourage the discouraged. Saturday, October 11th, 2008. 8:00 am -3:30 pm Sponsored by America's Keswick - Addiction Recovery Ministries. It will be held at an off-campus location: Whiting Bible Church, 95 Lacey Rd., Whiting, NJ 08759. $25.00 per person includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Call today for reservations and directions 732.350.1187 x. 10.