By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

There is a little devotional book called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I enjoyed the book so much that I invested in the app on my iphone so that I could have it with me all of the time. Ms. Young’s April 5 devotion says the following: Let me fill you with my Love, Joy, and Peace. These are Glory-gifts, flowing from my living Presence. Though you are an earthen vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents. Your weakness is not a deterrent to being filled with My Spirit; on the contrary, it provides an opportunity for My Power to shine forth more brightly. As you go through this day, trust Me to provide the strength that you need moment by moment. Don’t waste energy wondering whether you are adequate for today’s journey. My Spirit within you is more than sufficient to handle whatever this day may bring. That is the basis for your confidence! In quietness (spending time alone with Me) and confident trust (relying on my sufficiency) is your strength.

Friends, what brings you Peace? When do you feel the most at Peace? I know for me, I need to pull away from the world in order to truly seek the Peace that only the Lord can provide. For me, I can instantly achieve Peace when I’m sitting on the porch or dock at my parent’s mountain lake house. This past 4^th of July we went up there for a few days and during that time, I simply just rested and relaxed. One of the joys of being pregnant is that it’s been a time for me to stop and slow down, not keeping up with my usual Amy schedule. I found that simply sitting on the dock and watching the ducks sail across the lake, or the clouds rolling across the sky, or watching Joe and dad fishing in the canoe brought me a sense of Peace. I don’t always slow down enough during every day life in Winter Haven to seek His Peace. However, the Lord has been speaking to me and drawing me closer to Him after the summer rain storm when I can make it a lap or two around my neighborhood with a slight breeze, or sit out by the pool and watch the storm clouds roll in. It’s all about stopping – listening – focusing – and listening some more to His still small voice that truly brings me the Peace that I need. I pray this week we will take the time to soak in His Peace, however that may be.

Prayer

God of Peace, you are our strength for the journey and we thank you for your constant Presence in our lives. Help us to take the time during hectic, troubled, or lonely times and simply soak in Your Peace. Grant us these opportunities please Lord and remind us how important it is to seek Your Peace always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.