The Spirit and peace of God.

What is the Spirit of peace?

Peace is knowing that the Lord of the universe is by your side and resting in that. It's not just knowing, but it is also living it out. Peace is sitting in comfort and knowing that God is next to your side no matter what.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is peace verse?

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

There are certain practices we can partake in and theology to behold as we're getting to know God's voice to discover your understanding of the Holy Spirit in everyday life!
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you.” —John 14:27.

Those were some of the last words Jesus said to His disciples at the Last Supper. He echoes them when He sees them next after rising from the dead: “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36). Before their darkest hour, as they are caught in the grips of terror and confusion, peace is the gift Christ gives to His disciples.

But what IS peace? Is it that elusive thing that can only be earned by carrying the bigger stick? Is it complete pacifism in conflict? Is it sitting in a meditative pose as the world crashes and burns? Well, no. Peace is not any of those things. Not really.

What is peace according to the Bible?

The Hebrew word for "peace" is shalom. "Shalom" is still used today as a traditional greeting among many Jewish people, and it can be used to convey a wish for prosperity, well-being, success, harmony amongst friends and family, unity among the nations, and many other blessings. Literally, however, "shalom" means “to be complete [or whole].” At his calling, Gideon, one of the early Judges, named the place of his call “Yahweh-Shalom” which means “The Lord is our Peace” (Judges 6:24). Paul echoes this in Ephesians 2:14-15, explaining that the things that kept us from God were now removed because of Jesus, and we were able to be unified with Him.

And that there, I believe, is the key to understanding God's peace. Before the fall, we walked side by side with God, we had full communion with Him. After the fall, we lost this shalom, this wholeness, this peace. We began to hide ourselves in shame and fear. Jesus came so that we don’t have to have that separation, so that we can be wholly unified with Him and with our neighbors in a way our fallen selves aren’t capable of doing.

And that is why Christ left us with an incredible gift —the Holy Spirit—so that we would be able to have this union and produce the spiritual fruit of peace (Galatians 5:22-23). We should look for this growth in our relationships with God, ourselves, and others. But we all know how hard it can be to keep that peace, especially with people who drive us nuts.

Keeping Peace with God.

“God cannot give us peace and happiness apart from Himself, because it is not there.” —C.S. Lewis.

To grow in peace, you must have complete trust in God. Scripture is full of God's promises. God promises to never neglect us or forsake us (Psalm 27:10), to care for us (Matthew 6), to have a plan that will bring about good for us (Romans 8:28). He loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16). True peace begins to grow in us when we can rest in these promises, to know their truth in a way that transcends our ability to put into words.

Having peace with God helps me rest in the knowledge that He has a plan—even if my life is crashing around me, even if I cannot see His plan. Peace is trusting that He will catch me if that meteor of destruction hits the world I’ve carefully created. Peace is hope in the promise that God is found in the storm as often as He is found in the peaceful places. Peace is knowing He has me cradled safely in His hands.

For those who struggle with this unity, let me encourage you that YES, peace IS still attainable! It may require a little bit more work on developing the paths of trust though—and a bit more faith and hope that true peace will come. And that’s perfectly okay. We are all growing more and more in this as we continue through life, so keep on fighting for that peace, even when it's hard.

Keeping Peace with Yourself.

“Which way brings you the most peace?”
"Are you at peace with who you are?”

These are two questions I ask on a regular basis of friends and those I speak to. Spiritual turmoil is brokenness in that "Shalom of Completeness" and an indication that something in or about our lives needs to change. Sometimes the thing that needs to change is our own heart. Peace is a confidence in who God designed you to be. If you are constantly seeking others' approval, trying to be just like someone else, or not fostering your gifts and talents because they aren’t what you wanted to be given, then you're not at peace with yourself.

When we are most truly the selves we are meant to be, living a godly life, allowing the Spirit to bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit, we will feel that peace the strongest. That doesn’t mean everything will be hunky-dory, and all troubles will be far from you. But it does mean there will be peace within the mess.

Keeping Peace with Others.

“Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families.”

"World Peace” is a wonderful ideal that every beauty pageant contestant hopes society can attain. But what exactly IS world peace? Is it simply a lack of war? Is it everyone leaving everyone else alone? Or is it working together as a community?

The Apostle Paul challenges us to consider true peace as more than merely not fighting but rather as actively being peacemakers in Romans 12. "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18). He describes us as a body, each of our parts having a different role, but each essential to the health and well-being of the whole.

Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God.” —Matthew 5:9.

Peace isn’t easy, but it is beautiful. Peace can be found in the darkest of places, but it has to be cultivated on a daily basis. So as you go about your crazy day today, as you tackle broken relationships, hurting wounds, and self-doubt, remember shalom. Remember the spiritual peace Jesus gave His Disciples in their darkest hour and how He has now extended it to you. Bring that wholeness, that completeness that can be found only in Christ, to a hurting world that needs that healing.

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