Peace of God

            Did you notice that the peace acrostic was posted for an entire week? That is how important I believe it is that we understand our God of Peace and his promises to us. In this blog we will look at the peace that our Father, the God of Peace promises us.

P eace

Romans 15:33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

          God promises that He will be with us in Romans 15:33 and as we look closer at God’s peace, we find in studying John 14:25-27 Jesus speaking to us of His peace which is the peace of God, and also learn it is through the Holy Spirit, who will teach us all things, that we learn his peace.

 

          What does God’s peace look like? Philippians 4:4-7 tell us the peace of God is beyond our understanding, meaning that God’s peace is beyond human logic and Philippians 4 goes on further to expanding God’s peace revealing its guarding both our hearts, because of our restored relationship with God through the sacrifice of Christ (guarder of our hearts), and our minds because of the Holy Spirit, (guarder of our minds) who God sent to teach us about his peace.  

 

          To recap, when our Father, the God of Peace promises you and I peace it is attainable. Yes there are conditions, we must have Christ in us and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, but when these conditions are met we can have the assurance that the peace of God is ours at any and every moment of our lives.  For the keys to the peace of God are not on the earth, rather they are firmly establish with our Father in heaven, and to his glory they are beyond the natural grasp of man and every human situation.

 

Be encouraged and ever blessed,

Mildred          

 

Join me next time when we talk about the first of two E’s in Peace, which stand for Encourage.

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Oregon Union Bracelet

Joy Jewelry; please check out our Bracelet and Watches page for this new creation call the Oregon Union Bracelet 

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

5 promises of the God of Peace

          Our Heavenly  Father, the God of Peace, knows how elusive peace is for us and so as I studied peace, I found these  5 promises.   I  share this acrostic  to encourage and inspire you  to grasp ahold of our God of peace and his promises.  

 

P eace

“The God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

RO 15:33

 

E ncourage

 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

1TH 5:23-24

 

A ccept

 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

PHP 4:8-9

 

C rush

 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

RO 16:20

 

E quip

 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

HEB 13:20-21

In future blogs we will be looking at these scriptures from our God of Peace.

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; on this group of pages, you will find jewelry that is created to bring you complete joy.

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

Stopped Dead in Your Tracks Part 3

This is the third part of a practical lesson on peace I learned while traveling recently in Washington State.

 

          After forty-five minutes, Dean arrived and I watched as my car was hooked up and then I joyfully climbed into the cab of the truck safe and sound, driving to the shop I joked with Dean that though God had stopped me dead in my tracks on my way to Ellensburg, he had provided all the way. I didn’t focus on if my car would be fixed; rather I chose to focus on God and his provision of peace and the joy to make it through the situation.

 

          As we arrived at the auto shop I saw my host sitting in her car waiting to pick me up and a deep sense of peace settled within me because I knew I would make it back to begin my assignment of praying in a foundation of peace. I went into the office, filling out the paperwork for the car, and left the keys with the understanding I would get a call the next day when the mechanic had diagnosed my car. My host later told me how she marveled at the joy I had as we drove the 28 miles back to her home, pointing out where the truck stopped me and saw cell phone tower, which was right behind my car on the top of the hill. God was really taking care of me I could have walked so much farther because of the hills that surrounded the highway.

 

          Arriving at my host’s home, I called my husband and while letting him know the mechanic wouldn’t call us about the car until the next afternoon, he joked about how we had just talked about selling his car and sharing mine, as I hung up the phone I praised God because my husband was so supportive. Later my host kiddingly said, “Maybe God was making the choice for us!” That evening before I fell asleep, I put the fate of my car in his hands, knowing he would do what was best for us.

 

           I got up the next morning and asked the Lord to have the mechanic work on the car early, so I wasn’t surprised when he called at 10:30am to tell me I needed a new engine. As picked up the phone to call my husband, I had a choice to allow peace and joy to continue to flow by not allowing the condition of my car to influence me or to become depressed. I determined to allow peace and joy to flow, and then called my husband and gave him the bad news. My husband still had a wonderful attitude, when he called me later, telling me he had taken the car off our insurance and we were saving $300 a year.

 

          God was there even though we ended up signing the title of the car over to the auto shop, for I had made it safely to my destination, and complete my prayer assignment.  When my husband came to pick me up, title in hand; God answered a longing in my heart, for him to see Vantage, the town and the people I love.

 

Remember, the peace of Christ is always worth the struggle and the benefits of joy are beyond compare!

 

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; here you can see and purchase fun jewelry and accessories while supporting the ministry of Complete Joy.

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

Stopped Dead in Your Tracks part 2

This is the second part of a practical lesson on peace I learned while traveling recently in Washington State.

 

            Having restored peace and joy, and knowing my host wouldn’t be home for hours, I set about getting my car fixed.  I walked over to the town’s store hoping to get the name of a good mechanic, but instead I left with an extra phone book to find a mechanic. Opening the phone book I looked at a sea of phone numbers and called one who did towing, as well as car repair.  It was now almost 4:30PM and I rejoiced when Dean the owner of the shop agreed to wait for me, so I got into my car to drive the 28 miles into Ellensburg, but this time the farther I drove the worst my car got.

 

            I was so determined to get the car to the shop, but God had other plans, because 10 miles into the drive a long haul trucker pulled over, slowed down in front of me and stopped me dead in my tracks. I could tell my car was done, as then my oil light came on. For a moment I didn’t know what the trucker was going to do, was he going to get out and help me, or was he going to come and rage at me for going so slow, but the driver never got out, he just stopped and then when he saw me begin getting out of my car, he took off.

 

         Two hours before I would have been upset standing there stranded at the side of the road, but with the peace of Christ secure within me I now walked up the side of  highway 90 until I could get cell phone reception to call Dean to tow my car. I also called my host who would now be waiting at the shop to pick me up. God once again had provided for me. So I rejoiced, as I got back in my car to wait for the tow truck and took the opportunity to begin writing this blog.

 

            Sitting there the words of Ephesians 6:13 came to mind, “stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm” God had allowed me to be stopped dead in my tracks by an outside force I had no control over, and now my car had overheated and I could go no farther, yet there I sat marveling at God who was reminding me I was not alone, as I got several phone calls sitting in my car. I am still amazed at how calm I was even when I got the call from Dean 30 minutes later asking where I was, because he had been given the wrong mile post.  I knew then nothing would break my peace, not even fear, for God had the victory.

 

            Please join me next time for the final segment of Stopped Dead in Your Tracks, a lesson on peace.

 

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; here you can see and purchase fun jewelry and accessories while supporting the ministry of Complete Joy.

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

Stopped Dead in Your Tracks part 1

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col 3:15

 

            While traveling in Washington State I put this scripture into practical application when I blew the engine of my car.

 

            My husband and I had done everything to get the car ready for the trip, including taking the car to the mechanic to be serviced.  As I began the trip I could sense something was wrong with the car, but I put it off to being overly sensitive. Boy was I wrong.

 

            During the second leg of my trip while making a steep climb from the Columbia River up to the plateau floor my car began to act up. There was nothing I could do as I left the Keller Ferry; there were no gas stations in sight, or auto repair shops for miles so my only recourse was to drive. For almost two hours I talked with the Lord and prayed without ceasing as my car sounded worse every mile, while at the same time a peace came over me for in my spirit I knew my car would make it all the way to my destination, so as I arrived I wasn’t the least bit surprised.

 

            Knowing I had an assignment to pray in a blanket of peace over the town, I took my bags out of the car and knowing was so frazzled that all my peace was gone, I set my mind to worship until God restored my peace and joy. I couldn’t allow my situation to dictate my actions Hebrews 12:28 tells us that “since we have received a kingdom that can not be shaken let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,” and that is what I chose to do, as I pulled out my worship flags and quietly stepped out side to worship in the back yard.

 

            At first my worship was labored as I wrestled with my feelings of exhaustion and all the fears about my car, and then slowly as I exercised my faith through worship, peace and joy flooded me. I had so much to be thankful for, I wasn’t stuck out on the highway, and I was safe at my host’s home, where people knew and loved me. God had provided so much for me and I was so thankful.

 

I didn’t know the importance of coming to a place of restored peace and joy because the events of this day weren’t over yet!

 

            Please join me next time for, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story!

 

 

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; here you can see and purchase fun jewelry and accessories while supporting the ministry of Complete Joy.

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

How to Handle an Anxious Night

Recently I had one of those anxious nights as I awoke with thoughts about my daughter’s financial situation. Laying there Philippians 4:6 kept coming to mind.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 

          I don’t know about you but once in a while it’s all I can do to let go of all the anxieties and stressors of life, to get a good night’s sleep. Lying there I realized I had made a big mistake, because just before we went to bed my daughter called giving us some bad news, and instead of taking it to the Lord as my husband talked about the call  and then went to bed, but I think I needed to take it to the Lord even if my husband didn’t feel the need to do so.

 

          Finally after almost an hour I began taking the situation to the Lord and as I finished the peace of God that Philippians 4:7 speaks of “which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I wish I could report I then fell off to sleep but that isn’t what happened, but the anxiety was gone and I enjoyed just resting in the Lord.

 

          When I finally got up several hours later, I found myself feeling rested even through I hadn’t gotten my usual 7 hours of sleep. To my surprise I felt a deep sense of joy and I knew the day was going to be great, not because of getting a good night sleep, but because I have a great God who has granted me peace and guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus!

 

            Has my daughter’s situation change, no; but taking it to the Lord has made all the difference in getting my required rest, and having a peace about the whole situation, so much so that even days later I have no anxiety my daughter’s situation. So may the peace that passes all understand guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus as you walk through the anxiety and stressors of your day!

 

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; Look for newly created jewelry on Monday’s of every week.

 

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

Lessons of My Favorite Clay Pot part 2

            Last time we looked at the practical lessons God taught me from the breaking of my favorite clay pot, now we will explore the spiritual lessons God taught me.

 

            The first spiritual lesson: We aren’t complete without all the pieces. These are the words I heard the Lord say to me as I picked up the pieces of my pot. I didn’t really understand, but God was talking about my state of Oregon. In Oregon, Portland being the biggest city, often forgets about the needs of the rest of the state. I remember these words as I work with others across the state of Oregon. It doesn’t matter if they are Christians or pre-Christians as Graham Cooke would say. God need us all, and we aren’t complete without each other.

 

            The second spiritual lesson: Out of life’s messes comes the purest form of ministry. Driving down to Salem I was still in shock, emotionally I had nothing to give to the meeting and so I arrived with a depth of humility and perpective that made it possible for God to take control of all I did and said.  I saw how God orchestrated every event of my life that day for His use.  My perpective was this; I might look fine on the outside but God knows my life and like my office even though it is a mess He can still use me.

 

          The third spiritual lesson: Letting go is always for the best. After returning home from the Oregon Prayer Gathering I looked at the bag of the broken shards of my favorite pot and didn’t want to part with them.  We are always tempted to hold on to the past, no matter how broken and out of date it is, with the excuse; God once used it. We must allow the lessons to go deep while letting go of the outside reminders to fall like the leaves from a tree at their appointed time. When we let go of the leaves of the past we make room for the new growth that God intends us to have in the future.

         Today, though the stain on my carpet is gone, the lessons will not be forgotten.

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; here you can see and purchase fun jewelry and accessories while supporting the ministry of Complete Joy.

 

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.

Lessons of My Favorite Clay Pot

            Recently my favorite clay pot broke after the hook I put it on gave way. The pot fell on me, hit the stool and landed on the floor breaking into several pieces. Both the pot and the plant were lost, but there were several practical and spiritual lessons that are worth sharing with you.

 

            The first practical lesson: don’t move a hanging pot you just watered. Having just watered the plant and thought it was a great time to move my pot to the hook right in front of the window to get more light for the summer. So I climbed up the stool and moved the pot, but the weight of the newly watered plant caused the hook in the ceiling to fail, bringing the pot down on my wrist, then bouncing off the stool and impacting the floor breaking into 12 pieces.  Needless to say it is a lesson I won’t soon forget.

 

            The second practical lesson: don’t vacuum too soon. After taking stock of myself, I looked at my favorite pot and panicked. The pot was broken and I had wet soil all over the stool and the carpet. God was gracious because he knew I only had a short time to do any clean-up before I needed to leave for my day long trip, so I picked up the broken pot, scooped up the plant and the soil, then blotted the carpet with several towels and left. It turned out letting the carpet air dry was the right course of action, because after vacuuming and using a steam cleaner on the spot, the soil all came out! What a blessing!

 

            Next time we will look at the spiritual lessons this broken pot has taught me.

 

Blessings and Complete Joy,

Mildred          

 

Check out our monthly memory verse on the Equip page as well as a copy of SOAP a bible study method you can copy and print out for yourself.

 

Intercessors Heart; find helpful prayer tips and current prayer opportunities and post your prayer requests to be shared with my intercession team.

 

Joy Jewelry; here you can see and purchase fun jewelry and accessories while supporting the ministry of Complete Joy.

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This blog is part of the ministry of Complete Joy and is published each Tuesday and Saturday, usually by noon Pacific Time.