Category Archives: “What Is” Series

“What Is” Series: Peace

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He is our peace

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”–St. Francis de Sales

What is peace? According to Merriam-Webster, peace (n) is:

  • a state of tranquility or quiet freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
  • harmony in personal relations
  • a state or period of mutual concord between governments–a pact or agreement to end hostility
  • used inter jectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting for farewell

Some phrases associated with peace include: hold one’s peace; speak now or forever hold your peace; at peace with; keep the peace; make peace; peace and quiet; peace out; peace of mind; rest in peace; peace offering; peace in the valley; and peace in the midst of the storm.

Of all the topics in my “What Is” series, I can honestly say that “peace” is one that I struggle with the most in my life. Quieting oneself in the midst of chaos/discord is not an easy task. One would have to ask the question, “Am I always in a state of tranquility, quiet or calm during difficult situations that arise in my life?” We probably all agree that life is not always quiet and tranquil, yet the Word of God clearly teaches us to “focus our thoughts on things of God because He is our source of peace.”

Let me share the following scriptures (NIV) as a reference to help us “in the midst of the storm” when we are on balmy waters:

II Corinthians 13:11 (Paul’s words to the Corinthians): “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfections, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Luke 8:48: “Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Romans 8:6: “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Psalm 4:8: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Ephesians 2:14: “For he himself is our peace.”

Psalm 29:11: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

I Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace.”

Whenever we have doubt, trouble, or chaos in our lives, John 16:33 (NIV) reminds us of Jesus’ words to his disciples: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus also tells us in Philippians 4:6-7 that “we should not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

We began this series with Truth and ended the series with Peace. In John 14:6 (NIV): Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Finally, Jesus tells us in John 14:27 (NIV): “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

When we focus our thoughts on the things of God, he will be our source of “inner peace”.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and give your peace.

Blessings,

Yvonne

“What Is” Series: Joy

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The joy of the Lord is my strength.

“Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home…it’s your responsibility to love it, or change it.”–Chuck Patahniuk

Merriam-Webster defines joy (n) as:

  • the emotion evoked by the well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: Delight
  • the expression or exhibition of such emotion: Gaiety
  • a state of happiness or felicity (bliss)
  • a source or cause of delight

Joy is not just a smile or a laugh. Joy is a state of mind–state of contentment, confidence, and hope deep within our souls. Joy is the product of fellowship with the Father and Son (I John 1:3-4).

Joy denotes happiness–if you are joyful then you are happy.

Some phrases that describe joy are: afternoon delight, beside myself with joy, bundle of joy, weep for joy, wish someone joy, joyride, leap for joy, a joy to behold, and pride and joy to name a few.

But how does the Word of God describe joy (NIV):

Romans 15:13: “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.”

James 1:2-3: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

John 16-24: “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful (joyful) heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

John 16:22: “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

I Peter 1:8: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”

Romans 14:17: “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Psalms 16:11: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

John 15:11: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Proverbs 10:28: “The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.”

Isaiah 55:12: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

God’s Word is filled with promises that God makes to His people that He will fill them with an “inexpressible and glorious joy”; fill us with “joy in His presence”; “His joy may be in you and your joy may be complete”; and we will “go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” These are wonderful promises to us all that no matter what we are going through–no matter what the circumstances are in our lives–we can be filled with God’s presence and He can fill our hearts with joy as we trust in Him to work everything out for our good.

We serve a mighty God. This should make us all smile and be joyful. Go forth and find joy in the journey God has set before you for “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

Blessings,

Yvonne

“What Is” Series: Trust

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Trust in the Lord always

You can trust me. Yes, or absolutely. Thank you. I care about this. I trust your judgment. I understand. Tell me more. Yes, I see what you are saying. These are just some of the phrases that we say to let others know that we trust them and/or that we can be trusted.

How do we show others that we can be trusted? By our actions/behavior. If we tell someone that “you can trust me” and then do the complete opposite in our actions/behavior towards them, then we not not trustworthy. Trust is earned and should not be taken lightly.

“Trust is the glue to life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication It’s the fundamental principle that holds all relationships.”–Stephen Covey

Merriam-Webster defines trust (n) as:

  • assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
  • dependence on something future or contingent: Hope (i.e. bought furniture on trust)
  • a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another
  • care, custody (i.e. the child committed to her trust)
  • a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence as the condition of some relationship

The Word of God gives prime examples of a loving God who asks that we “trust Him” in all of our circumstances in life:

Jeremiah 17:7-8: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” (NIV)

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

Psalm 143:8: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (NIV)

Psalm 91:1-2: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (NIV)

Proverbs 29:25: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (NIV)

Proverbs 16:20: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” (NIV)

Psalm 56:3-4: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word, I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (NIV)

Psalm 37:3: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” (NIV)

When I researched scriptures with the word “trust”, I was amazed at what a loving God we serve. He only asks that we trust him–to put our confidence in him–and believe that he will work “all things out for our good.” He asks that we “not doubt” his love for us.

In James 1:5-6 we are told that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. BUT when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (NIV) Doubting is not trusting.

If we find ourselves doubting God’s unfailing love, let us look at Isaiah 43:2-4 which states, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom; Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” (NIV)

God promised the Israelites that he would be with them and that he was their only Saviour–that they were to put their trust in him alone–because He loved them and they were precious in His sight.

God loves us and wants us to put our trust in Him and to look to Him for strength and courage as we “pass through the rivers” in our life’s journey. Will you trust Him today?

Blessings,

Yvonne

“What Is” Series: Love

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God is Love!

“Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.”–Helen Keller

“You can give without loving But you cannot Love without Giving.”–Amy Carmichael

I love you. I adore you. You’re amazing. Love ya. You are so awesome. I love you a bushel and a peck. Love you to the moon and back. Love you to the mountains and back. I’m yours. You complete me. You’re my angel. You’re mine. These are all expressions of love–love phrases–that many of us have said to one another to express our deepest feelings of “love.”

But what is love? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines love as (noun):

  • strong affection for another arising out of kinship of personal ties (i.e. maternal mother)
  • affection and tenderness felt by lovers
  • affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests
  • an assurance of affection (i.e. give her my love)
  • the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration
  • unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another (i.e. the fatherly concern of God for humankind; brotherly concern for others)
  • a person’s adoration of God

This week my husband took me to see the new “Downton Abbey” movie. I asked him a couple of days before it was to begin showing in the theater if he wanted to see it, and he would always say “not really.” But by Friday morning (the opening day of the movie), he asked me if I wanted to go to the first afternoon showing. I gladly jumped at this invitation and afterwards he mentioned that the movie had a slow start, but by the end of the movie he felt “an emotional attachment” for it.

My husband decided out of his love for me that he would give up whatever he felt was deemed more important on his to-do list that day to take me to see the movie that I couldn’t wait to see. Throughout the 50 years that we have been married, he never ceases to surprise me by giving unselfishly–even if it means sitting through a movie that he didn’t want to see in the first place–just to make me happy. To me, this is love.

Throughout the scriptures, God’s Word tells and shows us what love is all about:

John 15:12: “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” (NIV)

I John 3:1: “How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.” (NIV)

I Corinthians 13:1-3: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (NIV)

I Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (NIV)

I John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (NIV)

John 3:16: “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.” (NIV)

I Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)

Jesus admonishes us to love each other as much as He loved us. When Jesus was asked in Matthew 22:36: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied in Matthew 22:37-39 that we are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments (vs 40).” (NIV)

John 15:13: “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (NIV)

Jesus laid down his life for us all. Now this is love.

May the Lord bless and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and give you peace and love in showing others the kind of love that God shows us. Be kind, be compassionate, be grateful, be forgiving. We only live once and the time to love is now!

Blessings,

Yvonne

“What Is” Series: Hope

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Our hope is not in ourselves but in the Lord.

Hope to see you soon. Hope you feel better. Hope for a promotion. Hoping for the best. I hope so. Hope he/she remembers. Hope to be invited to the wedding. These are examples of what we say regarding our perception of hope.

But what is hope? Merriam-Webster defines hope as:

“To cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or to be true;

“To desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment;

“To expect with confidence; Trust.”

If hope is an expectation of what is to come, then someone who has no hope has lost their faith to believe in the One who gives us hope. If you lose hope, what happens to faith? Without faith there is no hope and without hope you die–there is no expectation of what is to come. We are lost without hope. Without hope we no longer believe in what God has promised in His Word.

Jesus gives us this hope. Let us look at some of the scriptures that pertain to hope–God’s evidence of faith and the hope within us.

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (NIV)

Colossians 1:27: “…the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (NIV)

Romans 8:24-25: “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (NIV)

Romans 5:2-5: “…and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (NIV)

Job 17:15-16: “…where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? Will it go down to the gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?” (NIV)

Psalm 147:11: “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (NIV)

According to the scriptures we have read, faith appears to be the catalyst that creates the hope that there will be a better tomorrow–that all will be well no matter what our circumstances seem to be at the time. There is no doubt in Biblical hope because 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).

“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” (Romans 15:13).

Blessings,

Yvonne