Three Keys to Peace
I am blessed to have a daughter who is currently in college. This adventure for her has also been an adventure for me as she shares stories, conversations, events, and friends with me. In an effort to be a guide to her as she journeys her path, I often times give her “to-do lists” to help her. Today, I want to share one such list with you. This is what I would call this year’s theme for her, as it has been mine for quite a while.
I call it “Keys to Peace in Life.”
Keys to Peace in Life:
Live honestly with yourself and then others.
Be kind to yourself and others.
Have gratitude, always.
Now, I didn’t make this list up haphazardly. This list came from my own cry for peace and understanding, then when I saw her and/or her friend’s chaos, I realized this list is to be shared.
Let’s look at each point together.
The first is “Live honestly with yourself, then others.”
This may seem so simple, but for me, it has been quite the challenge. To start, I thought I was completely honest with others, but the truth is, how could I be when I wasn’t completely honest with myself? As I spent some time in Psalms 15, I realized “integrity” was a theme.
Psalm 15:2
ESVHe who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;
NIVThe one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
NASBOne who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.
CSBThe one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart —
What I saw here was the reality that it is impossible for me to live with integrity if I can not even be honest with myself.
So, I took a check-up of my heart.
A specific question I asked myself when I was taking action on things was, “What is my TRUE motivation”?
For example,
When I was agreeing to do something, was it because I was afraid of disappointing someone, or was it because I really wanted to do it?
When I gave of my time or talent, was I doing it out of a generous heart, or was it because I felt obligated or pressured?
When I said I did not want todo something, was it because I genuinely didn’t want to, or was it because I was avoiding taking on something uncomfortable or something I really just didn’t have the courage to face?
When I thought about my children, was I sending them love, hope, and/or peace, or was FEAR the motivation behind my thoughts?
These examples are real conversations I had with myself. Why? Because when I say with my mouth I want to walk with integrity and practice righteousness, I gotta check my motives to make sure they line up with such a confession. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t, but when I live honest about this stuff, I get peace (even when I’m still in the self-correction stage).
Paul stated it this way in II Corinthians.
II Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves…” EVS version says, “see if you are in faith.”
Honesty within me brings honesty out of me.
Proverbs 24:26 “Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.” (NEB)
What this so beautifully means is that honest and straightforward answers show true loyalty and friendship. If I do this within myself, I will do it with you naturally!
I shared The second key with my girl: “Be kind to yourself and others.”
It seems simple enough, as well. Does it not? Well then, simply be kind to yourself!
When you blow it, what is your first response? Is it criticism or condemnation? Do you get upset with yourself? Do you use the words “I’m sorry”?
Criticism has no place in the walk of grace. Condemnation has no place in the walk of grace. Speaking negatives about yourself has no place in the walk of grace.
You are not “sorry”! You are AMAZING, you are LOVED, you are PRECIOUS, you are FORGIVEN, you are POWERFUL. When you blow it, you are not “sorry”; you are human! We humans have been given legs and arms so that when we fall, we can get right back up! Being kind to yourself is speaking life over yourself, even in a storm, even in a mistake: big or little!
Romans 3:24-24 “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
FREELY JUSTIFIED – JUST AS IF I NEVER SINNED!
That is how He sees me, “Just as if I never sinned.” I gotta see myself that way, too. Taking care of yourself is also a way to be kind to yourself. Getting the rest you need, hydrating your body, sitting in the sunshine, quiet time alone, laughing, moments where you stop the world, and just time to sit in “Daddy’s arms”: All of these are ways to be kind to yourself! When you are kind to yourself, it’s pretty easy to be kind to others.
Kindness to others is also a fruit of the spirit; did you know that? So, next time you are driving down the street and that fellow pulls out in front of you, slams on their brakes, or dives slow in the fast lane, just call on that fruit of the spirit cause you might need it!
The final point is “Live in gratitude, always“.
Now, I could spend hours just on this topic. Gratitude is such a powerful tool for Body, Soul, and Spirit! For the Body, gratitude can actually cause healing.
An article written by UC Davis Health Medical Center entitled “Gratitude is Good Medicine” stated:
A person’s mindset also affects the body’s biochemistry, especially factors related to heart disease.
“Gratitude blocks toxic emotions, such as envy, resentment, regret and depression, which can destroy our happiness.”
— Robert Emmons
Gratitude is associated with higher levels of good cholesterol (HDL), lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL), and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, both at rest and in the face of stress. It also has been linked with higher levels of heart rate variability, a marker of cardiac coherence, or a state of harmony in the nervous system and heart rate that is equated with less stress and mental clarity.
Gratitude also lowers levels of creatinine, an indicator of the kidney’s ability to filter waste from the bloodstream, and lowers levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of cardiac inflammation and heart disease.
God encourages us throughout His Word to give thanks, be grateful, and give praise. This state of being is like a miracle state of being because unthankfulness-depression-criticism can not function in the same thought as gratitude. Don’t believe me? Try it! Gratitude is so powerful that it is like turning on a light in a dark room…the light makes the darkness flee! I have this mind picture at times of all of these dark clouds hovering over me and then entering gratitude into the scenario; the clouds begin to rise, separate, thin out, and blue sunny skies show overhead.
Here are a few verses on gratitude:
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” (Psalm 100:4)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Present all of it with thanksgiving, and what is the result? Peace! The peace that transcends all understating. It transcends culture, transcends the media, transcends our past, transcends our future, transcends all!
These three keys have been proven true in my life, and gratefully, I can say I see them in my daughter’s life, too. Even her roommate applies these at times. Honesty-kindness-gratitude combined in our lifestyle results in great peace.
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The New Birth is the most wonderful Miracle to begin with! Romans 10:9-10 shows us how to receive the new birth.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This begins the first Miracle for you. NOW, you have unlimited resources available to you.
You now have the holy spirit inside of you, coursing through your veins and behind every fiber of your being.
You have access to all nine of the manifestations of holy spirit. 1 Corinthians 12
You are seated in the heavenlies. Ephesians 2:6
You have Christ in You, the hope of glory! Colossians 1:27
You have direct access with God! Ephesians 2:18
Let’s walk this journey together! God has called you for Such A Time As This!
1. We believe in one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Creator of all things. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
2.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, crucified, died, was buried, resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the true God and Father. (John 3:16)
3. We believe the Bible in its entirety to be the absolute inspired Word of God and the infallible rule of faith and conduct. It’s a spiritual book, written by The Spirit for the spirit. (II Timothy 2:15)
4. We believe in the future return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ( I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
5. We believe in the personal salvation of Believers by believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord. (“Romans 10:9 and 10.”)
6. We believe in sanctification, redemption, justification, and ministry of reconciliation and righteousness as sonship rights given at the time of the new birth through the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit.
7. We believe in divine healing, through faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, via the shed blood and broken body, and that healing is included in the redemption and available at any time during life.
8.We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as outlined in Romans 10:9-10. We believe that every born-again person has the ability to operate all nine of the manifestations of the holy spirit. Also, we believe in the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. (Ephesians 4:7)
9. We believe in the Christian commission (Matthew 28:19) by speaking boldly, tenderly, and lovingly to all of humanity.
10. We believe in the forgiveness of sins as outlined in scripture by confessing our sins to our Heavenly Father, God and that forgiveness is given at that moment. (1 John 1:9)
11. We believe the thief, the devil, comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy and credit any of these actions as belonging to him. In complete contrast, we believe that Jesus came so that we might have life {Zoe – life in all of its fullness} and have it more abundantly. He gets credit for this abundance in life. (John 10:10)
12. We believe that God desires greatly to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
N.O.W – No Ordinary Woman
No Ordinary Woman.
N.O.W.—Woman, God created you to be more than ordinary.
He created you to be Extra-Ordinary.
When you received His gift of Holy Spirit you were no longer just a body and a soul, you became a three-part being of Body-Soul-Spirit; complete, a perfect work through the miracle of the New Birth!
This is our movement, daughter of God, to stand out from the crowd: to boldly proclaim I am His and He is mine. To see signs follow you, to see miracles performed through you, to be His Wonder! To rely only upon your God. To expect only from Him. To be independently dependent on Him alone. He is enough for you.
We are His masterpieces and we radiate with His divine love everywhere we go. You were created to live in this day-time-hour. Created for such a time as this and together we will move mountains!
In Him We Live exists so that women who love God can know and believe that they were born for such a time as NOW.
Our Code
1. Jesus is the center and the Head of The Body. It’s All About Following His Directive (Colossians 1:18)
2. We believe big and take action. It’s all about activated faith All About Activated Faith (James 2:14-26)
3. We honor one another to glorify God. It’s allAll About the Romans 12 Experience
4. We are Lovers, not Haters. It’s All About loving on others (Mark 12:31)
5. We think in Color. It’s All About how God inspires us by working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)
6. We don’t back down. It’s All About submitting to God and watching the Devil flee in terror (James 4:7)
7. We stand approved before God. It’s All About knowing scripture and how to apply (2 Timothy 2:15)
8. We choose our thoughts. It’s All About knowing which thought to lead captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
9. We will express gratitude. It’s All About keeping a thankful heart (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
10. We move from a place of power. It’s All About using the right tools afforded us through Jesus Christ, His Father, The Holy Spirit, and The Bible. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
11. We speak to our mountains (ALL OF THEM). It’s All About the power of our words (Mark 11:23)