Peace Like a River Part VI Conclusion

Please read “Peace Like a River” Parts I-V

The Christian walk is one of great exploration, affliction and responsibility. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). The body of Christ has a divine responsibility to portray to the world an astounding difference in our lifestyle. When the world is in turmoil and chaos, we are accountable to exhibit God's peace and Grace to the lost. If we are not presenting God's true nature to the world, we are shaming Jesus. Please allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in repentance. I pray that God's peace, like a river flows into your life, and the lives of your family members. Peace is not an outward state of circumstances, it is the condition of a heart devoted to Christ. Four areas of your life that are integral to obtaining peace are: repentance, hope, obedience and prayer. Of course Jesus wants every area of your life to be open to Him, but if you are lacking peace these four areas are a good place to start looking for the source of your unrest. God loves you! It is painful to examine our lives and repent for our sins. God understands every aspect of your life and how you came to the place you are now in. He is not interested in harming you; nor is He interested in helping you continue in sin. He wants what is best for us at all times. It can be very difficult to impossible to see this at times.  Romans 11:33 tells us, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

If you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, or if you would like to renew your commitment to Him today, I ask that you pray this prayer with me.

Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner, in need of a Savior. I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that You are the Son of God. You were born of a virgin, You sacrificed Yourself for my sin, and You were raised on the third day to sit at the right hand of God's throne. Jesus, please come into my heart, forgive me of my sins and teach me to live in obedience to You. Lord, please fill me with your Holy Spirit, Who is the promised Comforter. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, congratulations! You are now a child of God. Please tell a trusted friend of your decision, begin reading the Bible, and seek a solid Bible-based church to worship and fellowship in.

Patti

You Can't Get There From Here

“You can’t get there from here,” so goes the old joke as the bewildered traveler asks directions from the “helpful” but misinformed local. How many times in our lives have we thought this absurd statement to be true? Sometimes where we are now, and where we desire to be seem worlds apart. What goal in your life seems like an impossibility?
My husband and I took my daughter and her friend to a water park for her 10th birthday. I laid down the rules from the outset; the general mommy fare, stay together, stay with us, don’t run, etc. . . . As soon as we arrived they jumped on the biggest ride there which landed on the other side of the park. Incidentally, this ride was the only way to get to the other side, wonderful engineering! It was called the Stealth, the ride was the shape of a Stealth plane wing and it careens you up and down its triangular shape by your own momentum, until you slide off of the bottom and into a pool. Now, I am she who went to Disney World and only rode the teacups, and felt a little queasy when I did. I hesitantly climbed the wooden staircase to the summit of the ride. As I waited my turn, I had visions of a 10 and 8 year old doing everything I asked them not to. As a tan, zinc-nosed teenaged boy began to shove my raft off the edge, my anxious face reflected in his sunglasses, I asked, “What are the chances of me flying off of this thing?” “Noooooone,” his reply was drawn out in the empty air and summer sun, as I whizzed down the enormous wing. Evidently my body mass was enough to prolong the ride, I swung up and down, in ever smaller arcs until I finally slid off of the end. Slightly rumpled, I got on the Lazy River which floats around the perimeter of the park. I languished in the sun, floating slowly until I found the girls, who incidentally were fine and thought I had lost my mind. One moment I was careening into oblivion and the next I was lazily floating to my destination. God moves us along the paths of our lives, sometimes at lightning speed and sometimes painstakingly slowly. The express route may be tragic, a death, illness or other great loss. It may be a promotion, sudden fortune or other windfall. The slow pace of everyday life may seem stifling or comforting. Regardless, God has a path and a plan for your life. He will be there with you every step of the way. If anyone ever tells you that you can’t get there from here, know that with God all things are possible! He loves you! I pray for your salvation and relationship with Him.