Let Christ's Peace Rule Your Heart

DAILY READING

Colossians 3:12-17

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

DEVOTION/REFLECTION

Let Peace Begin With Christ

By Karen Burkhart

After more than a year of chaos and division, what most of us want right now is peace--in the world, our country, our homes, and above all, in our hearts.  If it could be bought, we would surely wipe stores clean and hoard it in our basements; we never want to be in short supply again. Knowing we can't add peace to our Amazon carts, we may try to create our own peace or mine for it deep within ourselves, by altering our circumstances or even our consciousness. Unfortunately, the first isn't always possible, and the latter is at best, temporary, and at worst, destructive.  

There is only one source of soul-satisfying, lasting, peace, and His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you (John 14:27).” Christ’s peace is not the absence of mental stress, conflict, and war--it's better--it transcends life circumstances while keeping us firmly planted in reality. If it did not, no one could enjoy peace this side of eternity, especially not one on his way to Calvary. As it is, Christians through the ages have experienced deep abiding peace in fox holes, on death row, and even in lions’ dens. 

So, if Christ’s peace is not the absence of difficult circumstances, what exactly is it and how do we get it? According to Ephesians 2:14, Christ’s peace is Christ Himself! He does not just possess peace and share some of it with us, He IS our peace. No Christ, no peace.  Know Christ, know peace.  When a person receives Christ, Christ’s peace becomes, in essence, part of the spiritual DNA of that believer. Unlike our physical DNA that just is, we  have a part to play: “let the peace that comes from God rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15).” Jesus offered the same encouragement in John 14:27 :“let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” That three-letter word, let, seems to imply there is something we can do to allow peace to rule in our hearts. Other Scripture give us some insight into what that something may be:

Set Your Mind on God

“you keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

The world will tell you to clear your mind to achieve inner peace, but not surprising, the Bible teaches the opposite: Fill you mind. Read the Bible. Pray with understanding. Think on Jesus. 

Pray and Be Thankful 

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippans 4:6-7 

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Brothers and sisters in Christ, remember that the Spirit of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, lives inside you. If you are lacking the experience of peace in your life today, as we all do from time to time, I encourage you to consider how you can let His peace rule in your heart today. How might you set your mind on God today? Do you need to tune out someone or something today? Is there a care or anxiety you can pray about today? Has it been a while since you sat and just recounted the things for which you can be grateful?  

Prince of Peace, help me to set my mind on you today and to have a grateful heart, regardless of my circumstances. Forgive me for thinking the world may be able to satisfy my soul's longing for peace. I don't want a counterfeit, I want the real thing--You are the PEACE my soul craves.  

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Look at your surroundings and thank God for what (or who) you see that he's provided for you. Tell God the difference his provision of that thing (or person) makes in your life.  Next, consider something you possess today, whether material or immaterial, that you once lacked, then thank God for his gracious provision.  Conclude this time considering recent answers to prayer that you may have yet to thank God for.  

 

Holy Living

DAILY READING

Colossians 3:12-17

REFLECTION

Getting Dressed

by Mary McGinnis

What are the first things that come to mind when your alarm first goes off in the morning and it is time to climb out of bed? Do you find yourself mumbling and complaining, dreading the day ahead?

What if we started our day differently? What if, when the alarm goes off and before our feet hit the floor, we made it a daily practice of tuning our minds to these thoughts instead:

• I am God’s chosen. Before I was born, He knew me. He knit me together in my mother’s womb.

• I am holy. I know I am a real mess. But I have been washed clean with the powerful cleansing blood of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Since He paid such a high price for me, He has set me apart as sacred. 

• I am beloved. The God of the Universe, who chose me before the foundation of the world, and has wash me clean, loves me with a consuming, passionate love. He will never abandon me. 

As you wipe the sleep from your eyes, having repeated, “I am chosen, I am holy, I am beloved,” multiple times, roll over, sit up and set your feet on the floor. 

Next, having your heart, mind and soul tuned to your identity and your calling, you walk into your closet to find all the clothing you need for the day. Each piece is laid out on the floor and ready for you to step into.

• There is compassion. Picture it there on the floor. As you step into it, it rises up to dress you, filling you from the bottom of your abdomen - the core of your gut - up to your chest -into the depths of your heart. You feel deep within you the cares and concerns of others. 

• Next is kindness. Stepping into it, your arms and hands are clothed with the desire for the best for your family, co-workers, friends and neighbors, as much as your own good. It comes through in how you speak and act toward them.

• Don’t forget over there, humility and meekness are waiting. As you step into these, you are clothed from head to toe with a softness that no longer needs to dominate, manipulate, or coerce others. Instead, you are clothed with patience, willingly letting go of short temperedness and resentment. 

• To give that extra special touch to your wardrobe, step into forgiveness. Like a crown lifted to be placed on the head of someone who is anointed, it rises up around you. It's beauty overwhelms you with the awe and wonder of how much God has forgiven you. It’s radiance crowns you with the desire and ability to give up complaining and forgive those who have hurt you.

•          Over all these – compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, forgiveness – step into your final garment. LOVE.  As LOVE dresses you, it pulls all the other accessories together. You can walk into your day confident they all work in harmony.  

How would your life look different if you made this simple meditation a part of your daily practice?  

Take each of these highlighted words. Write them on a post it note and set it beside your bed. When the alarm goes off, let it remind you daily to envisioning being clothed with God's amazing grace, from head to toe, from heart to hand.  

Having been dressed, we then can allow the peace of God to rule supreme in our hearts. Nothing can harm us. Nothing can put us to shame. We are chosen, holy and beloved.

Could this guide us to walk into our day differently? Would we live our day infused with more gratefulness? Could it spur us on to give all we do each day to the name of our beloved Lord Jesus? 

So take this heart Lord
I'll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your life in me!!