Newsletter from Don Dickerman, 08/ 26

Peace Be With You

‘Peace be with you’ carried a very special power when Jesus said it to his followers. He knew peace was what they needed most. Like many on the earth today, they had troubled minds.Isaiah 9:6 prophesies about the birth of Jesus, calling Him the “Prince of Peace.” Jesus brought peace to humanity through His life, teachings, and sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus said «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.» John 16:33Jesus did His part to bring us peace, but we must also do our part to receive and retain this peace. Psalm 34:14 tells us to “Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.”Focus on Him and things that are of Him.We can choose to watch things that bring us peace. Birds, clouds drifting across the sky, deer by a mountain lake, a sunset, shooting stars. These are the best shows on earth! God produced and directed them and they cost nothing. An ancient sage was asked how to have more peace in life. “If you want more peace in your life, do more things that are peaceful” he said. Wise words.Is maintaining a state of peace easy? No. We don’t have to overcome something that is easy. We overcome something that is hard. Jesus said he had overcome the world and that we too must overcome the world. The world is full of trials and problems. It’s not that we should ask to be spared hardships but rather learn to face them as Jesus taught. We cannot control the curve balls of life, but we can control our reaction or non-reaction to them. To have peace, we must let go of negative emotions. Don’t stuff them down and ignore them but observe them. Shine light on them. Darkness cannot stand the light. Once we observe the negative emotion it begins to lose its power and we can begin to let it go.If you feel angry, observe the anger then let it go.If you feel bitter, observe the bitterness then let it go.If you feel anxious, admit you are anxious and let it go.Breathe deep…’Be still and know I AM God.’ Psalm 46:10Jesus said peace is always available inside you, ‘the kingdom of God is within.’ Luke 17:21The world would like you to believe you are not in control of your emotions but rather at the mercy of them. This is a lie! You can absolutely control your emotions but you must choose to do so. When you see a negative thought or emotion arise, it’s up to you to let it go. No one can do that for you. The more we hold on to negative emotions and thoughts, the more we suffer. And the more those around us suffer. The apostle Paul said «We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.» 2 Corinthians 10:5 Maintaining peace in this world is not easy but it’s possible. Jesus lived and taught The Way. He went to the cross as the Prince of Peace and was resurrected the King of Kings. «Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid» John 14:27These were not just reassuring words. This was a declaration of the transcending power of the peace that is found through Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:7 «And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.» Think about that. The peace of God will guard our hearts AND our thoughts in Christ Jesus. Amazing.Jesus did his part, let’s do ours. Stay grateful and in the moment, not shackled to the past, not worried about the future. Abide in His love and presence. That’s where peace is. Peace is now. Life is now. It’s always now.As the disciples locked the door in the upper room, terrified that the mob that killed Jesus was coming after them, Jesus appeared… ‘Peace be with you’ He said to them. After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said to them, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.’John 20:19-21 Peace be with you.