Peace and Gratitude

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

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. – (Colossians 3:15, ERV)

Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of His one body. And always be thankful. – (Colossians 3:15, TPT)

 

Peace and gratitude go hand in hand. There are days I wake with a heart full of thanks, and it is on such mornings, that I am most aware of the peace of God, present with me. This morning, was one of those mornings. Despite a restless night’s sleep, I woke with thanks on my heart. The first thought I had was, “Thank You, Jesus, that it is Friday and that You have provided all that was needed to navigate this week!” As I made my way upstairs, my heart felt lighter and my mind clearer, as I prepare for the day ahead. I know not what lies before me today, in fact, I am not even certain as to what the day’s schedule will look like, as we have advisory and an event this afternoon. However, I do know that God will go before me, remain with me, and provide His peace, so for that, I can truly give Him thanks. Perhaps also, there was residual gratitude remaining for time spent together with the body. Mark and I met with our small group for the final time for the season last evening, and reminisced with gratitude as we drove home, for the great group of people with whom we had been placed. Peace has been present each time we have met, as all of us had something to offer to the whole. God is good and He will guide our hearts with His peace as we earnestly seek Him. May we ever give Him thanks.

 

Let the peace of God,

Come rule in our hearts;

For as one body,

It’s where true peace starts.

Allow peace to reign,

Your heart and your mind;

God’s grace to impart,

As our lives align.

In everything,

Live out gratitude;

For as we give thanks,

Our hearts are renewed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your peace permeates every facet of our lives when we seek You and depend on You. Thank You that You place us in a body to build us up and strengthen our resolve. Thank You that we never run out of reasons to give You thanks. Forgive us for the times that our priorities go awry and we lose sight of Your peace. Teach us to trust and depend on You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us in ways that extend Your perfect peace in places where peace feels absent. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for the body in which we are placed, and praise for Your perfect peace that You provide when we seek You. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

To Bear Good Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. – (Galatians 5:22-23, ERV)

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard- things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. – (Galatians 5:22-23, MSG)

 

Social media has been a valuable tool for me to stay connected with friends all over the world. I delight in sharing bits of life with those who are too far away to see in person. Sadly, there are those who use it to lash out in anger at anyone who does not share the same opinion on current “hot topics”. When words are exchanged in anger, without seeking the Spirit to be in the center, greater divisions grow between those who formerly considered one another friends. My hope is to be a purveyor of peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, rather than a wrecking ball. May we ever seek the Lord and the fruit that His Spirit within us produces, instead of allowing said fruit to drop off and rot away.

 

God is our compass,

His love points the way;

To love as He loves,

Let Him in to stay.

Through Him we bear fruit,

That blesses with peace;

Choose give love away,

With reckless release.

Freely and boldly,

Give peace, love and joy;

Patience and kindness,

Gentleness employ.

Let’s choose self-control,

Not seek to be right;

There’s not a winner,

When we aren’t polite.

Let’s seek to listen,

Choose peace and be kind;

More is accomplished,

When hearts are aligned.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, You grow in us that which is meant to be shared with others. Thank You that the fruit You plant is good. Forgive us for allowing that which has been planted within us to rot and waste away rather than be used to nourish the people whom You place all around us. Teach us how to operate in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us so that Your fruit may be evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to love in a way that bears Your fruit. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3