SAY WHAT?
God’s Peace is what you will always have with you because God doesn’t take it away like the world does. What God gives stays.
BREAKDOWN:
When is the last time you would say you have experienced real peace? Go ahead and think about it or write it down. I will wait.
I remember my last moment of real peace came the other week when my daughter Karis, my wife and I were all in the house on the couch playing “the tickle fest.” This is a game my wife and I play with my daughter where we tickle her until she can’t take it anymore and in turn she, our 2-year-old, tries to tickle us back. It was in this moment that I felt God’s peace and honestly God’s joy in my life as well. For me this was a moment where nothing else mattered outside of the love and joy of the two people that God has given to me as family. No bills, no work deadlines, no sermon, no books to write. Just us and a bunch of laughing out loud.
This moment for me relates to the scripture although it isn’t like in this moment I didn’t have bills that were due or I didn’t have a project I needed to work on. Instead my focus was on enjoying the moment in peace with my family. Even as a student, you have moments of peace that God has given to you. Your job is to make sure that you live in those moments and that you don’t allow the enemy to come in with worry and fear.
The enemy wants to rob you of your moments of peace in order to keep you as far away from God and God’s peace as possible, but you can’t allow this to happen. Our scripture for today says that God gives us this peace, which belongs to God. God has the ownership of it, and God is not like the world that gives and takes away. If God gives it to us it is ours to keep. The scripture goes on to say that because of God’s peace that was given to us, we don’t need to worry, be upset or be afraid. We can’t worry because God has our past and our future. We can’t be upset because whatever the world takes away God can give back in triples. Just ask Job. Lastly, we can’t be afraid because with God there is truthfully nothing to fear.
LIVE IT OUT:
Today do something that gives you God’s peace. Maybe it’s reading a book or going outside and looking at nature. Maybe it’s playing a sport or watching your favorite movie. Do something where you are allowed to block out all of the other issues of life and focus on the peace that only comes from God.
PRAYER:
Lord, today help me to find my peaceful place. God, allow me to not only find it but to stay in it for a good amount of time. Jesus, don’t allow the enemy to come into my peaceful moment and try to take anything; instead Lord, help me to remove all worry, feels of being upset and all fear so that I can embrace Your peace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
One of the most profound experiences I've found in my spiritual journey is the realization that God’s peace isn’t dependent on our circumstances, but rather on His unchanging nature. This peace is distinct—it doesn't ebb and flow with life's ups and downs like worldly peace often does. I've noticed that when I’m intentional about embracing these peaceful moments, they multiply in both frequency and depth. For example, I recall a time when stress from work and daily responsibilities weighed heavily on me. I decided to step away and focus on simple joys—like watching the sunset or listening to calming music. Those moments became a sanctuary where anxiety couldn't find a place to grow. It was as if God was reminding me through those peaceful intervals that His presence is constant and unshaken. Moreover, the scripture from John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you," has been a guiding light whenever doubt or fear crept in. Understanding that this peace is a gift, not just a feeling to be earned, helped me to rest in assurance—even when external situations were challenging. This peace allows us to face difficulties with courage, knowing that no matter what comes, it cannot steal the tranquility God provides. I also believe that cultivating a daily practice—whether through prayer, meditation on scripture, or simply pausing to appreciate God’s creation—enhances our ability to live in this peace. When distractions of worry, upset, or fear threaten to overwhelm, these habits ground us back to what truly matters. In my experience, sharing these moments of peace and joy with loved ones, much like the "tickle fest" mentioned earlier, intensifies the feeling of God’s presence. It reminds me that peace is often found in the simplest acts of love and connection. If you’re seeking to deepen your experience of God’s peace, I encourage you to identify activities that help quiet your mind and heart. Maybe it's reading a favorite spiritual book, walking in nature, or engaging in a hobby that brings you joy. The key is to allow yourself to be fully present and receptive to the peace God freely offers. Over time, you’ll find that this peace not only sustains you during tough times but also enriches your everyday life with deeper contentment and resilience.
