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Peace-Talks

Peace – that attribute of God the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, can be ours when we trust completely.  The antithesis of peace is noise, the busyness of life, struggling to achieve in this world and please others.
We live near a busy highway of constant traffic noise.  Somehow that constant traffic noise disappears when I contemplate God’s peace.  This is peace grows soul-deep inside us.  It does not depend on the whims of others, but our relationship and walk with Jesus.
I learned to care for my husband as his journey into dementia deepened. I struggled to find peace.  The responsibility became too much for me – I tried in my own strength.  Finally, I asked, ‘Is this what God is teaching me to rely and trust in Him?’  Yes! 
I began to look back and see His Hand guiding me to Him in humility and in love.  Yesterday my husband didn’t remember me — or his children.  I told him our love story that continues. I told him how we met and married and the births of our children, their weddings and grandchildren and those that come after. 
Jehovah God has left us His Love Story, in his inspired words, The Holy Bible.  Long ago his chosen people remembered and retold the wonders of God’s love through the generations.  Even as I recounted our love story to Ed, I recounted God’s love story to our children.  We human beings often forget and God sends reminders each new day with the dawn of new mercies, the refreshing rain, the quenching of our thirst and giving us the very food we eat. Remembering God’s love and forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus we find the beginnings of Love, Joy and Peace and with this is living Hope all tomorrows with Him.
My Mother wrote the Precious Presence of God in the last few years of her life. 
Precious Presence, we remember, All your love on Calvary’s hill: Warm us with your great compassion.  Bend us to obey your will.  Touch us with your love and mercy.  Let us share the touch we feel:  Let us hear your gentle speaking.  Promised words that bless and heal.
When I was younger, I wondered why Psalm 23 was often quoted when peace is desired.  I really listened – and read, and know.  I noted the verbs telling what the Lord God will do – not what I do:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff   protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me   all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
I found two quotes that interested me as I found both to be true: – A soft voice is the sound of peace.  In acceptance there is peace.
My Favorite Scriptures of Peace
But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.  Proverbs 1:33
Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.  Psalm 37:37
-I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Psalm 85:8
-Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Psalm 85:10-11
-For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” Psalm 122:8
-God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
-Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  Romans 12:17-18
-“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”  John 14:27-28
-Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  John 20:21-22
-Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  Ephesians 4:2-3
 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.  He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.  Ephesians 2:14-15
-Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7
-And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  Colossians 3:15
-Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.  I Thessalonians 3:16
-Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.  Hebrews 12:14
-But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:17-18

-Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.  2 Timothy 2:22

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