A Devotional from Lorna.

We are told to think positive thoughts, so that God’s peace will be with us.
What we think about is a big deal.
Thoughts are like birds flying over our heads, we can’t stop them from coming but we can keep them from building a nest.
We can choose not to think about things that bring us down.
Negative thoughts are not the thoughts that God has for us.
We often talk ourselves out of peace.
By doubting in the dark what God has told us in the light.
The Holy Spirit is our teacher, guide, and mentor.
He is impartial and knowledgeable.

He is the umpire of our lives.
In a football game when the umpire blows his whistle, he does this to correct something and then he deals with the situation.
In the same way, our peace can be disturbed.
We may feel unsettled and troubled.
We need to draw aside and listen to the Holy Spirit.
Listen to the umpire (the Holy Spirit) who will tell us when it’s safe to proceed.
In this way we will make right decisions.

The enemy has come to rob us of our peace.
He has no peace.
Peace is a gift, it’s our inheritance.
We are to guard our hearts and live in peace no matter what the circumstances are saying to us.

When Jesus left to be with his Father, the departing gift that he left us was peace.
Jesus said;
“My peace I give to you my peace I leave with you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

We are encouraged to live at peace with each other.
Allow God to keep your heart and mind in perfect peace.

In John 20:19, Jesus appears to his disciples.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

Perhaps today you are struggling with fear and peace has eluded you.
Are you feeling frustrated and fearful?
These may be warning signs, that are telling us to trust in God’s plan.
Take heart!
Jesus is near.
He wants to speak peace into your situation.
Maybe you have locked the door of your room or heart, but locked doors won’t keep Jesus out.
You will be astonished how your life can be changed by one touch from Jesus.
Don’t harm yourself!
Flee from the darkness.
Run into his presence.
Jesus wants to move you from behind closed doors and into his purpose.
It’s your time, it’s your day, now let’s begin.

God is a planner.
He has a plan for you.
A plan to prosper you and not to harm you.
To give you a hope and a future.
Everything works in his plan.

Isaiah 14:27
When the Lord all powerful makes a plan no one can stop it.

The birth of Jesus changed everybody’s plans.
We know that God has a better plan than ours.
It will be bigger and brighter.
The Lord will work out his plan for your life, he is faithful and he loves you.

Philippians 4: 8 encourages us to think about things that are:
True and noble and right.
Also things that are pure, lovely and admirable.
Plus excellent or praiseworthy things.

We are told to think these positive thoughts, so that God’s peace will be with us.

Written by Lorna Egar.