Peace by Choice

Peace is an everyday challenge. It’s often hard to feel calm or safe when so many things happen over which we have no control. Peace exists both on the outside, in the world around us, and on the inside, as reflected in our feelings and emotions.

The world can cover up anxiety and postpone worry, but it’s a temporary fix. Jesus can calm the waves of anxiety and winds of worry that come and go unbidden. Here’s a good example.

The disciples were frightened by a mighty windstorm that threatened their boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was sleeping in the stern, so they shouted, “Wake up! Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus got up and said to the winds, “Be still,” and the winds died down. You can read about it in Mark 4:35-41.   

Jesus’ peace can keep us steady. Sometimes we’re climbing the mountain of anxiety, and other times we’re stumbling into the valley of despair. Hard times come to all of us, but like the disciples, we can call upon Jesus for help.

The world’s way to peace often involves alcohol, drugs, sexual pursuits, or adrenaline highs, but none are long-lasting. Jesus says His peace differs completely from the world’s (John 14:27).

Jesus experienced the peace of God Himself. Consider these examples:

•          Satan tempted Jesus as He does us (Luke 4:1-13)
•          Jesus endured great opposition from religious leaders (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 21:23)
•          He was misunderstood by the people closest to Him (Mark 6:1-5)
•         Jesus was faithful, even unto death (John 19:28-30)
•          He forgave His enemies while dying on the cross (Luke 23:33-34)

How is Jesus’ peace accessible to you? His peace comes through a relationship. Matthew 11:28-30 mentions taking Jesus’ yoke and learning from Him. Walking closely with Him will give us rest for our souls. That kind of peace sounds good to me.

Receive His peace by choice: (1) Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, (2) believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and (3) you will be saved and justified before God (Romans 10:8-11).

You can also read “The Road to Salvation” in Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, and 10:13.

Pixabay: Lake, Boat, Fisher; huynetsoft.

How To Know True Love

I’d say most people think of love as an emotion. February 14^th is Valentine’s Day in the USA. Restaurants, chocolate shops, florists, and card shops do great sales in honor of the day.

These things are enjoyable, but not long-lasting. True love means taking action toward the best for someone other than ourselves, not one day a year, but every day!

True love is important. True things are genuine, not false. They can be trusted. True friends, for example, are faithful and loyal at all times. So-called “fair-weather friends” tend to fade away when challenges arise.

Colossians 3:12-17 lists some characteristics of love. It’s encouraging to know that Christians have Christ to help them live with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

To “forgive as the Lord forgave you” (verse 13) clearly leaves no room for resentment or vindictiveness. If you want peace, forgiveness is one way to get it (verse 13-15).

I love reading my Bible. No matter how many times I re-read scripture, it always seems fresh and new. This week, that was Romans 12:9-18 as I considered “what is true love?”

It begins by saying love must be sincere (verse 9). That matches the description of true love above (in paragraph four). Living in harmony with one another (verse 16) leaves no room for pride, conceit, or a haughty spirit (verse 16).

As much as possible on our part, we are to live at peace with everyone (verse 18). Isn’t it nice to know we are not held responsible for rough times if others choose not to respond to our efforts of forgiveness or reconciliation?

Please read First Corinthians 13:4-8 for yourself. It’s a classic section on love that begins with love IS and continues with what love IS NOT. The conclusion is that “(true) love never fails” (verse 8).

This kind of love is what makes marriages last for decades and childhood friendships endure into adulthood.

Please, enjoy the emotions of love, but look for the actions of true love if you want something that lasts.

Pixabay: Hearts, Red Hearts, Background; MissMilly.

  

One Way to Deal With Depression

Did you know King David did not write the entire Book of Psalms? Let’s look at a couple of encouraging things written by the sons of Korah.

First, Korah was a Levite and spiritual leader who led a rebellion against Moses. When Moses sought God for an answer, that rebellion did not have a happy ending. (If curious, read about it in Numbers 16:1-35.)

In David’s time, he appointed men from Korah’s clan to serve as choir leaders. That line of temple musicians continued for hundreds of years (1 Chronicles 6:31-38; 2 Chronicles 20:18-19).

To me, that shows you can choose to serve God, whether your forefathers did or not.

Next, let’s consider depression and discouragement. These emotions are nothing new.

When my piano students used to get frustrated at making a mistake, I’d say, “It’s good to know you made a mistake. Now you can correct it.”

We may not always know why we feel discouraged or depressed, but it’s OK to ask, “Why?” It means you’d like to make a change

The psalmist asks: (1) “Why am I downcast, (2) Why am I uneasy, and (3) Why has God forgotten me?” (Psalm 42:5, 9, 11). But he doesn’t stop there. He remembers previous days when God seemed near, and he enjoyed going to church and praising God.

He declares he’s thirsty for the living God (Verse 2). Physical dehydration is serious, and spiritual dehydration isn’t any healthier. Physical dryness is improved by drinking water. Spiritual dehydration can also be helped.

It’s good to be honest with yourself. The psalmist asked hard questions, but then he decided to move in a positive direction: (1) He remembered the good things God had done (verse 6-8), and (2) He encouraged himself to put his hope in God (verse 5, 11).  

Paul also encouraged us to move forward and find peace: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6-7).

Like the psalmist said, “*Put your hope in God.”

*Remember, if you try the psalmist’s approach, but are not able to deal with depression or discouragement on your own, talk to a spiritual leader or professional counselor. We are put on this earth to help one another.

Pixabay: Rain, Nature, Window; RichardsDrawings.

What Is The Closest Source of Temptation?

“The devil made me do it,” was a phrase coined by comedian/actor Flip Wilson. It was the way he excused some of the questionable actions of Geraldine, one of his characters.

Some people blame the devil for temptations, while others blame God. But James 1:13 says God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

But temptations are real, so let’s consider them. For example, when people hear about “acts of the flesh,” what comes to mind is sexual immorality, impurity, drunkenness, or orgies.

While that’s true, there are a variety of other temptations. Look at Galatians 5:19-21. Paul listed only two spiritual temptations: idolatry and sorcery.

But he also lists temptations we rarely consider. They come from our soul, the seat of our emotions.

For example, have you ever been tempted to hate someone, sow discord, act out in jealousy, or rage? We can be tempted to envy. And what about causing rivalries or divisions, or joining in factions where groups refuse to make peace?

We need to be alert to temptation because it begins as a tiny seed thought or desire. The problem comes when we entertain it long enough that we decide to act on it. James explains it this way (James 1:14-15):

 We are tempted/enticed by our own evil desires.

When we allow them to turn into actions, it gives birth to sin.

Sin, when fully developed, gives way to death.

Galatians 5:16-26 speaks clearly about not gratifying the desires of the flesh, but choosing to walk in the Spirit to please God.

The closest source of temptation is within you. But you are not hopeless or helpless. Whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional, you can ask God to cleanse your heart.  

David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Become a doer of His Word and not just a hearer (James 1::22).  

Pixabay: Thinking, Thought, Pondering; johnbloor.

  

Life on Two Levels

On one level, from birth your heart pumps blood throughout your body. It does this without any input from you; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t take care of it. Smart pro-active people try to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.  

I agree with David who wrote I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). How could such wonderful life-giving systems as the heart and lungs, digestive organs, bones, joints, and muscles just have evolved?

I believe we were designed and created by God, along with the rest of the marvelous things in our Universe (Genesis One).

There’s another level of life called soul. This is often described as our mind, will, and emotions. Who can deny experiencing emotions of various kinds? Or the fact that we can think things through, and make decisions if we want to.

Smart pro-active people on this level live life as victors, not victims.

Jesus recognized two levels of life. He said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul… (Matthew 10:28).

When one of the thieves crucified with Jesus chose to believe in Him, Jesus said, “Today you will be with Me in paradise (Luke 23:39-43). He was speaking of the man’s spirit, since when their bodies died, they still had to be buried.

Caring for your soul is personal. No other human can know your inner thoughts and struggles. But scriptures remind us that God looks on the heart. (Consider 1 Samuel 16:7, 10-13, and Acts 1:12-26).

Here’s a scripture to pray if you would like to be right with God and are not sure what to say:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence; take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

Read the Bible for yourself each day. If you can’t read, listen to it on a Bible app. Also pray, which is just talking to God.

For care on the spiritual level, consider this: Order my steps by Your word; let no sin rule over me (Psalm 119:133).

Pixabay:

  

Down But Not Out

Is there anyone who can say, “I’ve never felt hopeless, depressed, or extremely down? That’s when it’s important to be honest with God.

As a shepherd, David enjoyed the great outdoors. But once King Saul knew David was anointed to be king, he and his army pursued David with the intent to kill.

While fleeing for his life, David often ended up hiding in caves. In Psalm 143, he said dwelling in darkness made him feel God was hiding from him (v. 3). Yet by faith, he declared his trust in God and prayed for God to deliver him from his enemies (v. 8-9).

I remember a time of despair in college. I had always felt the presence of God in my daily Bible reading, but now the joy was gone. The words no longer came alive to me, but I kept on reading.

I would point to the scriptures and say, “Lord, I believe this though I don’t feel a thing.”

I can’t tell you when it happened, but I know at some point my despair was gone. I not only had the joy of the Lord but the issue causing my despair was resolved.

James said we show our faith by our actions (James 2:18). David did this by lifting his hands and asking God to hear and answer his prayers (v. 1, 6, 7). I did it by pointing to the scriptures and declaring, “I believe it, though I don’t feel it.”

Whether you want to call our acts perseverance or endurance, the point is both David and I fit the down but not out category.

Have do you act when spiritually or emotionally down? Do you tell yourself to hope in God?

Once again, David sets a fine example with some honest self-talk.

In Psalm 42:5 he says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.”

The next time you’re “down,” tell yourself “I’m not out!” Then follow up with a personal declaration of faith in God.  

Pixabay: Stone, Red Sandstone; makamuki0.

 

3 Ways to Cool Your Jets

 

When warming up for takeoff, the power in jet engines is noticeable to everyone. On a personal level, have you ever heard someone say, “Cool your jets?” If so, you might have noticed an angry adult, ready to explode. 

Power used in the right way is a tremendous blessing. People purchase airline tickets, counting on those big jet engines to get them up in the air and on to their destination. 

Humans have fiery jets, too. They’re called emotions, and some people control them than others. 

If you would like to “keep your cool” more often, consider this easily-read advice. Psalm 37:8 (NKJV): Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret---it only causes harm. 

The nouns are what fire up our emotions.  

ANGER

Make all hot and bothered

Make one blow his top

Lose one’s temper 

WRATH

Fury

Vengeance

Madness

FRET

Suffer or cause annoyance

Disturb, agitate, or vex

Worry or be bothered 

The verbs, or action words, are what put the fires out:

 CEASE from anger: Stop, terminate, or discontinue it . . .

FORSAKE wrath: Relinquish, renounce, or abandon it . . .

DO NOT fret: Don’t indulge in worry, or let yourself remain anxious over something . . .

The Psalmist emphasizes that fretting, or worry, leads to harm. Some people actually make themselves sick with worry; however, I think anger and wrath buildups can also harm our health, and our relationships.

A habit is something we do without giving it much thought. The good news is that habits CAN be changed. Articles about this seem to agree on one thing: There is no magic number of days required to create a new habit.

The important thing is to desire change, then start working on your desired goal.

Help is available if you ask. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) says, “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Do you want to be healthier . . . improve relationships . . . develop better self-awareness? Then start learning NOW how (and when) to “cool your jets.”

Do Yourself a Favor

 

The Golden Rule says to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I like that idea, but there’s another rule that gets even more personal.

If you know “The Lord’s Prayer” you’re already aware of it - - - the give and take of forgiveness.

Whether you say debts or sins or trespasses the scriptural intent is the same (Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 11:1-4; (Matthew 6:14-15). If I want God to forgive me, I must forgive others.

We’re all familiar with “No Trespassing” signs. They mark personal boundaries. People understand if they cross the line, they do so at their own risk.

We have all had to deal with trespassers. The Amplified Bible explains trespasses as reckless and willful sins. To forgive means to let them go and give up resentment.

I’ve often heard Joyce Meyer teach about forgiveness. She was abused as a child and carried bitterness and resentment for many years. Then one day the Lord reminded her that by retaining bitterness and unforgiveness, she was only hurting herself. Her trespasser, unaware of her unforgiveness, was totally unaffected by it.

To be totally free, don’t keep score. Peter asked Jesus if we were to forgive our brother up to seven times? Jesus blew Peter away by upping the math to seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22 AMP).

You can’t say you love someone if you are unwilling to forgive. True love means not being self-seeking, touchy, resentful nor even paying attention to a suffered wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP).

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. The enemy of our souls does not want us to walk in the freedom of forgiveness. He will say, “You haven’t forgiven so-and-so for (whatever).” 

When this happens, don’t give in. Just reinforce your original decision by saying, “I have forgiven them, God has forgiven me, and I’m moving on.”

Are you carrying feelings of resentment, bitterness, or anger toward some personal trespasser? If so, do yourself a favor. Prayerfully choose to forgive, then let it go.   

 

The Season of Love

The annual day of hearts, flowers, cards, and candy has come and gone. Yes, I’m talking about Valentine’s Day. If our hearts were a garden of love with a major bloom only once a year, gardeners would label it an annual.  

I do enjoy annuals, but I’m more satisfied with perennials. In the floral world, they are considered enduring, perpetual, and sustained.

Perennial love is more than a feeling. We all know feelings come and go. That means there’s always a point of decision. If this love is to continue, how much am I willing to give of myself to help it grow for, and with, another person in my life?

It’s not only a question for lovers, parents face the same issue. Like my friend used to say, “Kids! They seem like such a good idea at the time.” Then the baby arrives and life is turned upside down. Nothing is ever the same and parental love has to choose to flex and grow.

If love were an elevator, it would take you to many floors. One floor would be passionate, physical love, not necessarily ending in marriage. Love requiring commitment would be found on another floor.

Loyalty, expressed in familial love, is one for all and all for one. Platonic love is real, too, a friendly desire for another’s best with no sexual involvement at all.

1 Corinthians 13 is considered The Love Chapter. Verses three through eight explain how we can choose to love through our actions. Paul wrote that faith, hope, and love abide (or endure), but the greatest of these is love!

On that note, think about your life as you read my short poem about love.

 WHAT IS LOVE?

By Darlis Sailors

LOVE is fragile, like a flower in bloom.

Nurture it carefully; let it grow.

LOVE is challenging, like a trail in the woods.

Explore it slowly; discover its joy.

LOVE is valuable, worth effort and time.

Invest it thoughtfully; reap the rewards.

LOVE is emotional, up, down, twirled around.

Buckle your seatbelt; risk the ride.

LOVE is sharing both laughter and tears.

Open your heart; widen your world.

(DS, 2018)

A Big Lie

 

 Did you ever hear this childhood chant? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. 

How long did it take you to realize it might be fun to say, but in real life, it was a big lie? 

Even short and simple words have power. Sticks and stones may break bones and we’ll recover, but hurtful words can abide inside us forever.

I’ve worked with both children and adults who were timid and using less than half their awesome potential because someone in their past had said, “You’re stupid. You can’t do anything right. Get out of the way. You don’t know what you’re doing!” 

Through their ears, negative words entered their mind and spirit, remaining like a record with lifetime automatic replay. 

Never underestimate the power of your words! It’s not just what you say, but also how you say it. 

“You’re a fat little baby,” can sound harmless when said in a soft cooing way by a smiling mother with loving eyes. But the same words hold a different power when said harshly by a caregiver who is glaring at a little one while handling a diaper change. 

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body (Proverbs 16:24, AMP). Words, like bees, have the power to both sting and make honey. 

Honeycombs are six-sided cumulative structures, built and filled cell by cell. From birth we are like honeycombs, holding on to what we hear from people around us. 

As adults, we like to think that words can no longer hurt us. Let’s be honest - - - they do! 

Whether we are on the giving or receiving end, words have staying power. Sometimes we have the first word, sometimes the last. 

The question is, “Will it be a sharp sting or sweet like honey?”

 

The Search

I had just completed a lovely visit with long-time friends. Now it was time to fly home.

We arrived early at their small airport. As expected, I was first in line. What I didn't expect was to be the last one out.  

I was “wanded,” no surprise there. The big surprise was being pulled aside and wanded again.

Next, I was asked to step to the far side of the room where they pulled a curtain while a lady patted me down. 

Then I watched while someone unpacked every item in my suitcase and another emptied my purse into a tray.

Thankfully most people ignored me as they came through the line. One lady, however, looked at me and said, “That happened to me once, too.”

Tamping down anger, I said, “If I knew what I did wrong, I’d never do it again.”

“I noticed you rolled everything up instead of laying it in your suitcase. My kids told me that’s considered suspicious because things can be more easily hidden.” She moved on.

I have yet to fly again, but when I do, I’ll try her suggestion.

King David wrote a famous psalm regarding a different search:  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV).

His goal was more important than passing through airport security. He wanted to pass God’s inspection. When made aware of things he needed to change, David humbled himself with another prayer.  

It had six requests: (1) Create in me a clean heart, (2) renew a loyal spirit within me, (3) do not banish me from your presence, (4) don’t take your Holy Spirit from me, (5) restore to me the joy of your salvation, (6) and make me willing to obey you (Psalm 51:10-12 (NLT).

I hated every moment of the airport inspection. In a small space, it was public and humiliating. But, like King David, I am open to a search of my heart by almighty God.

God’s search is a private matter, and I’m grateful. It’s a source of peace, not humiliation. 

4 Important Areas of Self-Awareness

Wouldn’t it be great if life could be perfect, or better yet . . . if we could? Somehow perfection has never shown up in the human race.

Oh, some people are nicer than others. In fact, you may observe that they have a healthy sense of self-awareness. This leads them to interact with people positively, creating an upbeat connection.

On the other hand, four important areas drag us down: Hunger, Anger, Loneliness, and Tiredness.

1.       Hunger can cause us to do foolish things. Esau was famished after a day of hunting; he carelessly gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:27-34).

2.       Anger causes carelessness. Some people toss about thoughtless words, while others act out in physically inappropriate ways. If you want to be wise, be friendly but do not develop a close relationship with a hot-tempered person (Proverbs 22:24).

3.       Feeling lonely can definitely affect personal interaction. Lonely people sometimes smother others by clinging too closely to anyone who notices them. Others deal with loneliness by withdrawing from life. One cure is to remain open to others: To have a friend, be a friend (Proverbs 18:24, KJV). Even the smallest action can bring a positive result.

4.       Are you aware of how you act or react when tired? Mental tiredness causes us to stop weighing options. It’s so much easier to give in to “whatever will be, will be.” But breaks of various kinds can cure physical tiredness. Even “power naps” are helpful. Get alone somewhere, relax and close your eyes. Be in the moment—break your routine by listening to things around you

What could be more personal than self-awareness? Each of us is responsible for our own actions and attitudes.

When you realize you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired don’t just keep pushing! Stop---be considerate of yourself---then move on.   

 

One Slow Learner

Lots of people have been named Samuel. A famous one was Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

My favorite Samuel is one from childhood. In 1 Samuel, chapter one, his story begins with a mother named Hannah. Her constant prayer was, “Lord, please give me a son, and I will give him back to you.”

Eli, the priest, observed her heartfelt prayers. One day he watched her lips move, but no sound came out. He misjudged her and accused her of being drunk.

Hannah protested that she was not drunk, but was praying out of great anguish. Eli said, “Then go in peace, and may God grant your request.”

God did answer prayer. Hannah gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, because “I asked the Lord for him” (1 Samuel 1:20).

Hannah kept her promise to give Samuel back to God. We don’t know his age, because in Bible times children could be weaned between ages two and five.

We do know, however, that Hannah introduced herself to Eli, reminding him of the time he had noticed her praying. Giving Samuel back to God meant he would serve under Eli’s guidance.

Hannah had three more sons and two more daughters, but she kept in touch with Samuel at the annual sacrifice. Each year she brought him a new robe.

Eli had two sons who were also priests. God saw their lack of respect for their father, for temple worship, and for God Himself, so He declared Eli’s priestly line would end.

God declared He would raise up a faithful priest, one in tune with His heart and mind (1 Samuel 2:35).

That faithful priest turned out to be Samuel. One night God called Samuel three times. Each time Samuel ran to Eli’s room and said, “Here I am” (1 Samuel 3). 

Finally, Eli realized God was calling. He said, “Go lie down. If He calls again say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

Every time I read this story I think, God, I want to be spiritually alert like Samuel---not a slow learner like Eli.

Candles and Flashlights

Last week I was watching TV when suddenly the lights went off. I had not been without electricity for years. Two things surprised me---the stifling feeling of complete darkness and the overwhelming silence.

I sat in my recliner, considering the situation. I thought I can see why people in solitary confinement might go crazy after a while. But a few minutes later I started to think now what shall I do?

First, I turned on my cell phone flashlight. God bless the person who designed that option. I used it to retrieve the flashlight on my desk, then I located the special candle created in a jar, plus some matches in my kitchen.

The furnace was off, so I bundled up in a blanket. Then I thought my cell phone works---I’ll make some calls. I even received a couple of calls, though they were surprised to learn I was sitting in the dark.

Later on, the flashlight helped me read. When that became tiring, I decided to rest. I figured the lights would come on eventually. If not, at least I could count on daylight.

The darkness was a wake-up call. But about ninety minutes later the lights came on as suddenly as they had gone off. The first thing I did was turn on the furnace. Then I located a flashlight in each room.

My stifling darkness had been alleviated by light in various forms and different sizes. I was thankful for each of them.

Light comes into our world in different ways, too. The psalmist David declared, “The LORD is my light and my salvation” (Psalm 27:1).

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world (John 8:12 NKJV). He further declared that His followers were to let His light shine through them in good works, not for their glory, but to the glory of God (Matthew 5:16).

Don’t say, “I’m only a small candle.” Don’t even think I’m only a flashlight. Just shine! Follow Jesus and do good. Even a tiny light pushes away the darkness and brings hope around it.