The Blessing of Peace

Colossians 3:15 says: “…let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”

What comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”?
Serenity, quiet, calm, freedom from disturbances, no problems?
Yes, peace can be all that, but it can also be much more.
In fact, the Peace that Jesus gives us believers, can be found in chaos.
His Peace is not dependent on outer circumstances, for it dwells within us.

A good example of this would be in some events that unfolded in my life recently.

I was awakened early one morning by a text message from my bank. It said my account was over-drawn.
My half-awake mind tried to process the validity of this as I got up to find my checkbook.
Not being an early morning person, my day already had the tendency to be off to a bad start.
Then, my grand-daughter, who was spending a few days with me, woke up and said “Happy Friday the 13th!”
Now, I am not superstitious, but under the circumstances I was a little bit tempted to be swayed towards negativity.
In looking over my checkbook, I could not find any reason that my account should be overdrawn, but because I and grand-daughter had
a busy day planned, I decided to just deposit some money from my savings into the account and deal with going in to talk with the bank
on another day.
After an un-eventful breakfast we drove to the ATM where I planned to withdraw some money from my savings.
The ATM had a sign “Out of Order”.
Going inside, I told the teller, and she said since I have e-banking only, I would have to drive around and use the drive up ATM because
if she processed my transaction she would have to charge me a fee.
Trying to keep my cool, I left and proceeded to the drive-up ATM, which of course, had two cars ahead of me.
Then it started to pour rain, on what was supposed to be a bright warm sunny day.
What did I do? Did I lose my temper? Did I let frustration overcome me? Did I get discouraged and blame it on “Friday the 13th”?
No! Because something inside of me said “enough is enough” I was not going to let the enemy steal my joy and destroy my peace.
Right then, I prayed out loud—“In the name of Jesus Christ, I will not be tormented! I will not be oppressed! In Jesus’ name I have peace!”

As I claimed the day for Jesus, a peace came over me and the enemy retreated. Instead of just going to deposit the money in the supposedly overdrawn account I decided to take the time to go inside the bank and talk with them. I prayed for God’s favor.
I ended up being greeted by a very pleasant young lady banker who reviewed my account and finding no errors, credited the overdraft fee back into my account and got everything all straightened out for me very easily.

When I went outside the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. My grand-daughter said “Well, I guess that prayer worked!”

That gave me an opportunity to witness to her about faith, belief and the peace that believers have in Jesus. It is not just about saying a prayer “that works” but living a life where we are in constant communication with the One in whom we believe—receiving His peace as we abide in Him.
Do things always work out easily or with out problems? No, but Jesus’ peace can be felt in the midst of the chaos  or problem, for His peace does not depend on circumstances.
In John 16:33 Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Timothy 1:2 NKJV

The Blessing of Adoption

 

 

 

 

He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself,
according to His favor and will,  Ephesians 1:5

Born in spiritual darkness,
A child of Adam’s seed,
Having earthly parents,
Yet a babe so in need.

I opened my eyes to this world
only to see sin and despair.
I was lost and without hope,
A child un-aware

Of God in heaven who loved me
even when this world was nil,
One who had chosen to adopt me
according to His favor and will.

I was predestined to be adopted
by the One who created me
Through Jesus Christ for Himself
I would be saved and set free

To become His favored child,
A daughter of the King,
No longer lost, but richly blessed
abundantly, in everything.

©Leona J. Atkinson 2012

 

Access Allowed–What a Blessing!

For through Him(Jesus) we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit to the Father…Ephesians 2:18

Recently, while at the airport, there was an area only certain people were allowed to enter.  A big sign was posted that said “Access Denied.  Authorized Personnel Only”.
I am sure you may have seen similar signs or even found such a site on the internet where access was not allowed to just anyone.  
Seeing that sign made me wonder how I would feel if I happened to be one of the ‘Authorized Personnel” that was allowed to enter through the door.  I thought to myself that I probably would feel pretty special if I was allowed to freely open that door and walk through.  

However, as a Believer in Christ, I realized that I already am really special, for in Christ I have been given free access to God the Father at anytime and not just anyone has that privilege, only those who are believer’s can freely enter into God’s presence.

Before I knew Christ, scripture says I was far away from God. (Eph.2:12) It was like there was an “Access Denied” sign between me and God. I was an alien and stranger, without hope in this world. (Eph.2:12)  Yet, when I believed and received Christ, He brought me near.  His Holy Spirit came to dwell within me. (1 Cor.6:19)  

I became a fellow citizen with the saints and members of the household of God, (Eph.2:13,19)  Because of Christ I was authorized to enter God’s Throne room.  I now had the right to call God my Father.  I was blessed to have a close personal relationship with Him as His child.  No longer was I denied access–for the door was open!  Now that really makes me feel special !  

What a Blessing we believer’s have been given!  We should feel so special everyday “For through Him(Jesus) we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit to the Father…”  Ephesians 2:18

Exceedingly Abundant

I remember as a kid I thought my dad was the greatest.  In my mind he was good at everything and could do anything. 

He worked two jobs for many years but he always seemed to have some time to spend with his family.  I remember him teaching me to how to fish, play baseball, and pluck chickens. I learned a lot about nature from him.  There were winter walks where we would search for different animal or bird tracks in the snow and he would teach me how to identify each one or fall excursions to check out the different leaves and trees.  Springtime would find us berry picking in the woods where he would show me all the different wild flowers.   Once I got in a heated argument with one of my friends over whose dad was the best.  It was the classic “Whatever your dad can do, mine can do it better” type of thing.   However, even though I thought my dad was the greatest, in reality he was just a human who  had limitations just as we all do.  

But… in Christ, all of us Believers do have the Best Dad of all!  Our Father in Heaven is Almighty.  He has no limitations.   With Him all things are possible.  (Matthew 19:26)
 ‘He is able to do exceeding abundantly,’ so abundantly that it exceeds measure and description.” (Charles Spurgeon)
Whatever good thing you can think of to ask for—God can do far more above that.
Whatever great thing you might imagine to do—God can do it greater
Anything that you can think of or dream of, do or accomplish—God can do it above that.
He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  (Ephesians 3:20)  Believers, His Spirit is within us, that is the power that works in us to enable us to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.   God is able to do this in our life now.  We don’t have to wait for heaven.  His power is at work in us now!

Consider these questions:

• Since God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think, how do you think God would work “exceedingly abundantly” in your life?
• Since His power works in you, how does that affect your daily life?
• Have you experienced His Exceeding Abundance in your life or in the lives of others?
• What do you think God wants to abundantly accomplish in your life?
• What good or great thing can you think of to ask God for or imagine yourself doing for Him?

Remember:  You are His child.  He is your Almighty Father and “Therefore he is able to do all things, and able to do superabundantly above the greatest abundance.” (Clarke)
Realize what you have been given in Christ, claim it and use it daily to bring Him glory!  I guarantee Your Heavenly Father has no limitations to what He can accomplish through your life as His power works in you !    Start living in Exceeding  Abundance today !