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Peace

Faith Walking

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Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV) Hebrews 11:1

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? (NIV) Romans 8:24

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV) Romans 15:13

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (NIV) Ephesians 1:18-19

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV) Hebrews 11:1

What is God asking you to do today that will take faith? Are you debating about following God in faith? Or are you whole-heartedly doing all that He’s asking you to do? Remember, you’re safer jumping off a cliff holding God’s hand than you are standing on “solid” ground!

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The Presence of Peace

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When reconciliation occurs, the result of the removal of hostility is the presence of peace. Leon Morris writes in “The Cross in the New Testament” that, “peace means more than an end to hostilities. In the New Testament it is not a negative word. It has a positive content. It points to the presence of positive blessing and not simply to the absence of evil.”

Peace is not meant to be exclusively a psychological feeling or calmness of mind, but peace with God means prosperity (in a broader sense than financially) for the whole man. When God ended the alienation with man, He brought about the opportunity for everyone to experience the closest, warmest relationship that anyone could encounter. That relationship is found through a personal relationship with God.

When do you lack peace in your life? Is it that you’re out of sync with God? Lacking peace right now? Turn to God and wait until a peace that surpasses all understanding envelopes your life.

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Grace and Peace

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To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) Romans 1:7

1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) (The same exact verse is found in: 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; II Timothy 1:2)

Colossians 1:2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. (NIV)

1 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

Titus 1:4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (NIV)

Philemon 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:2b Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (NIV)

II John 1:3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. (NIV)

Revelation 1:4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, (NIV)

Are you filled with God’s grace and peace?

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Living Water

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Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (NIV) John 4:10

I love the beach, but unfortunately I don’t get to enjoy it as much as I’d like. Last night I went for a walk as the sun was setting. I stood for a long time with the waves lapping at my feet. . .watching the uniqueness of each wave. . . seeing the ripple effects the water had made on a sand bar. . .amazed at the grace and variety of fish. Incredibly, I was almost mesmerized by the sound of the surf – I wasn’t hearing anything else. It was so peaceful.

As I walked off the beach I realized that I could barely hear the waves hitting the shore. Instead, I was hearing people talk to one another, birds fighting for food, and cars moving toward their destinations. And it was like God said, “My child that is how it is in our relationship. When you move away from the Living Water, My voice becomes faint. Stay close to the Eternal Spring.”

As we spend time, immersed in God’s presence, we know His will. . .we know His Word. . .we know His heart. When we fail to spend time with Him by reading His Word and praying with Him, His presence becomes faint. . .we don’t follow His ways, instead we follow our own plans. I don’t know about you, but I want to stay close to Him. I want to experience His presence on a moment by moment basis.

How’s your relationship with God? Are you experiencing His love, His grace, and His presence? Or are you more in tune with listening to others and moving toward your own destination? Why not re-connect today? Ask God to give you the desire to seek Him. Ask God to so fill you with His presence that you never want to leave your time with the Living Water!

For more on spending time with God, visit our website at:  www.AnchorYourLife.com. You’ll find extensive information on prayer and spending time in Bible study.

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Building A House For God

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I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from one tent site to another, from one dwelling place to another. 1 Chronicles 17:5

Then David said, “The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” (NIV) 1 Chronicles 22:1

Over 3000 years ago, a young man named David was anointed king of God’s people. He was a man with a heart after God.  Not free from struggles or sin, but he had a tender responsive heart. David achieved more and more success as king. God gave him great wealth as well as peace and rest from all his enemies around him. David saw how God was working among His people and it was his desire to build a house for God to dwell in. After all, David lived in his own magnificent palace. Why should God’s presence reside in a tent? Up until this time, whenever God’s people moved, God moved from place to place with a tent as His dwelling. But, how do you build a dwelling for God?

How do you build a dwelling for the One. . .

  • Who is the Creator of the universe?
  • Who breathes life into every man and woman?
  • Who made a covenant with Abraham declaring that his descendants would be God’s chosen people?
  • Who delivered the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt?
  • Who powerfully parted the Red Sea making the water stand firm like a wall?
  • Who guided His people with a cloud by day and with light from the fire all night?
  • Who split the rocks in the desert to give the Israelites water as abundant as the seas?
  • Who led His people into the Promised Land?
  • Who at the sound of trumpets tumbled the walls of Jericho?
  • Who empowered David to slay the giant Goliath?
  • Who gave David the victory over his enemies?
  • Who anointed David King?

How do you build a dwelling for the One. . .

  • Who is all present?
  • Who is eternal?
  • Whose voice thunders over the oceans?
  • Who hung the stars like a canopy in the sky?
  • Who is incomprehensible?
  • Who is immeasurable?
  • Who nothing in all of creation happens beyond His ultimate purpose and will?
  • Who stands before His universe utterly unlimited and immutable?

How do you build a house big enough for God’s presence?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Why Bother with God?

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Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Eternity in Heaven or hell
  • Freedom or Bondage to the past
  • Peace or Enmity with God
  • Healing or Hurt from the past in the present

Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Forgiveness or Unforgiveness of sin

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43 NIV)

Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Power or Powerlessness to Overcome

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NIV)

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5 NIV)

Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Fulfillment or Unfulfillment in life
  • Meaning or Meaninglessness of life
  • Adoption into God’s family or Being orphaned

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (Gal 3:26 NIV)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Life and Death

Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Lightness or Burdened from life
  • Hope or Despair for tomorrow

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

Why bother with God? Because it is the difference between. . .

  • Eternity in Heaven or hell

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 NIV)

I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. (John 6:47 NIV)

. . . that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:15-17 NIV)

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11 NIV)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36 NIV)

Because it is the single most important decision of your life!

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Where Do You Go To Get Advice?

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The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever. (NIV) Isaiah 40:8

God’s Word truly does stand forever. Personally, I don’t want to depend on anything or anyone else, but God and His Word! Not other men or even men’s opinions about God’s Word! Who are you listening to? Are you digging into God’s Word and finding Truth for yourself? Or are you depending upon what others to give you? depending upon others to explain God’s Word? Are you depending upon a pastor to show you God through His Word? or a teacher? or a radio personality? your spouse? a friend? Those who teach us from the Bible are important, but God also wants you to get into His Word for yourself. . . spend time in the Bible. . . wrestle with what He is saying to you through His Word. . . and I promise you, you’ll never be the same!

Do you need strength today? or wisdom? Do you need God’s Spirit to be your counselor today? Your Spirit to comfort me. . .Your Spirit to be my advocate. . .Your Spirit to be my peace. . .Your Spirit to be my confidence. . .Your Spirit to give me courage. . .

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Calm

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He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (NIV) Matthew 8:26

It has been storming all day today and even now as I write this. We’re feeling the effects from Gustav as it heads toward the Gulf Coast. Storms are common here in Sarasota, Florida. During summer months we often have late afternoon thunderstorms. The sky darkens, the thunder rumbles, the wind starts to whirl, the waves start to churn, visibility decreases and before you know it, the rain is coming down in sheets.

As it rains, I’m reminded of another storm on the Sea of Galilee. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat (Matthew 8:24). The disciples went and woke Jesus who was asleep. They were fearing for their lives, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
(Matthew 8:25-27)

Jesus, so strong and so powerful that He stood up, rebuked the winds and stopped the storm. All power belongs to Christ. And yet, how often do I wonder if He can calm of the storms of my life?

The rain I heard when I started to write this is getting stronger; the winds are blowing and I hear thunder. Now picture that storm stopping dead in its tracks with the command from Jesus. One word from Him and the winds stop. There is no lightning, no thunder, no rain, no high seas, just calm.

This is the Jesus who calls us into relationship with Himself. He and He alone can bring calm in the midst of a storm. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to sit in His presence for awhile and enjoy the peace that only He can bring.

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