From the loneliness of starting over to the redemption of God’s provision, Ruth’s story paints a picture of the grace of God in action. Get to know this familiar story even better with today’s lesson in the book of Ruth.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
Are you busy, breathless? Do things seem a little crazy lately? Most of us know that kind of running. It just happens. Life happens. As things pile up, things fall behind. As we run, our quiet peace becomes a quickened pace. Our relationships start to show a frayed edge. The bank account of calm that we have carefully invested in slowly gets drawn down until it’s in the red. Concern and unrest begin to rule our hearts and our minds and our behavior begins to show the edginess of impatience and irritation.
There is a prescription for just such times in life. It’s an age-old formula that works to restore peace to the center of our lives. It’s a way we can live in peace and confidence even when life swirls around us at a crazy pace.
The wisdom God reveals in the Bible is foundational wisdom that can carry us through our days and right through life. When it is applied, the power and strength behind it will amaze you. It will change your day-to-day living.
Choose peace to rule your heart.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
Allowing or “letting” God’s peace rule in your inner being is a choice that involves being intentional about 2 things: living in harmony with other believers and being consciously thankful.
Living in harmony doesn’t mean overlooking differences or living without boundaries. No, it means being willing to be a “peacemaker”, not simply a “peacekeeper”. It means looking with gratitude at the situations and people around you and, from that platform of gratitude and harmony, creating solutions with the help of God’s Holy Spirit.
Peace is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you can ask for as you rely on God’s help in choosing peace to rule your heart.
Father God,
So often I choose things other than peace to rule my heart. Right now I confess that _____________is ruling my heart. I ask You for Your peace to flow to me and through me by the power of the Holy Spirit. I choose to live in harmony with other believers as much as it is in my power to. Please give me wisdom. I choose today to be thankful in every way I can and especially for You as my help and strength. Today I will let peace rule my heart by the power of Jesus Christ in me. I pray this in His name, amen.
Question: What areas in your life could use God’s peace?
What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
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I am not sure where I actually need peace in my life. I feel like I am pretty balanced and normal in terms of the things I go thru in a day or week. I have my spiritual life , family life, work life, health and body life, and me time. If there is anything You want me to address Lord please reveal it to me. Thank you for giving me life and an opportunity to live, love, and share life with amazing people!!
Thank you so much. It is so timely for me…I choose the peace of God to rule in my heart. Thank you Jesus. Shalom!!
Amazing- – and time wise…perfect. Thank you for this gentle reminder this morning. Lori