Beside Still Waters

Experiencing perfect peace is not only a matter of faith in God, but it is also a willingness to enter into an exclusive relationship with God. We cannot approach the infinite God as though this is a brief foray into a supermarket to purchase our needs and then exit. The encounter has a sacred component that requires a heart choice.

We live in unsettling times. Social unrest is intensifying. Economic uncertainty is a specter over nations. Can we find peace in troubled times? Yes, we can. Finding peace begins with a changed heart toward God.

We want peace. The agreement is: Be anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God shall guard your hearts. Peace is a choice if we agree with God to call on Him, and He promises to grace us with peace.

Can fear and peace coexists? Which one wins the battle for the heart and mind space? Many equate the Christian Life as offering a haven from the anxiety-creating cosmos. Sadly, many are distressed by inane events as well as monumental life impacting events, making experiencing peace the most illusive commodity in our modern times. In spite of the challenging times, peace is attainable.

Sadly, we have occasionally experienced the ill effects of verbal abuse or know someone who suffered through an abusive experience. The Bible provides examples of victims of abuse detailing how the Lord delivered and healed them. There is hope for all victims - that hope is in a Savior who endured abuse and was victorious.

What learnings can be garnered from David's encounter with Abigail to help minister to people ill affected by verbal abuse? Abigail's response is a template enabling healing, assuaging negative emotions, and reaffirming the value of a person

Confronting the “Loss” experienced in broken relationships. What path the Christian walks when a friendship is marred by betrayal.

Imagine, for a moment, what the world would be if ideal living conditions are provided: A perfect world, perfect peace, a perfect government, perfect health, incarcerated demonic forces, and even nature is subdued. Would mankind be content with Christ's reign? Revelations 20:4-9 suggests they will absolutely not be satisfied! The millennium becomes God's final test for mankind.

The second greatest event in earth's history, on par with the Incarnation - Jesus' first coming, is The glorious re-appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ - The second coming. Every eye will see Him as he comes out of heaven to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth. The events surrounding His re-appearance are both glorious and startling. 

Noah was exclusive in that he his family lived in an evil society that refused to repent and prepare for a future judgement. The oddity was that the judgement was unlike anything they could imagine - the earth was watered by dew falling from heavens. So too, our present age is wholly unprepared for future prophetic events, of which the signs are in our midst.