God's Gift of Wholeness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Peace: (from eirō, "to join, tie together into a whole") – properly, wholeness, i.e. when all essential parts are joined together; peace (God's gift of wholeness). (HelpsBible.com) Peace between individuals, i. e. harmony

Love: what God prefers

Joy: grace recognized 

Peace: God's gift of wholeness

Peace. It's easy to have harmony and quietness when everyone agrees with ME! However, when others have a different viewpoint, how does one have peace? 

Peace is not about getting my way, or having all in agreement with me. Rather, peace is the quietness and comfort from God — first and foremost, being in harmony, in agreement with Him. That wholeness with God is only when I recognize who God is, and who I am. When I come humbly to the Holy God Almighty, I then can accept His gift of forgiveness and peace. 

Peace is a gift of God's wholeness. And when I am in harmony with God, then I can experience peace even in the midst of chaos. For when I humbly accept the gift of God's grace, I then can express that grace and forgiveness to others. And as I share grace, peace abounds. 

Does that mean I have to agree with everyone else in order to have and share peace? No. However, it does mean that I have to be wise in words, actions, and attitude and allow God's grace to rule my life. 

Peace a gift from God that brings harmony and calmness to my soul. And once my soul is at peace, I then can experience that peace and harmony with those around me— all because of God's grace. 

Acts as Umpire Continually

  If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

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This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.  

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 (AMP)

“Rule” is commonly used in reference to the Olympic and other games. It means, to be a director, or arbiter of the public games; to preside over them and preserve order, and to distribute the prizes to the victors. The meaning here is, that the peace which God gives to the soul is to be to us what the brabeutes, or governor at the games was to those who contended there. It is to preside over and govern the mind; to preserve every thing in its place; and to save it from tumult, disorder, and irregularity. 

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

The meaning of this verse creates a great picture: The peace of Christ acts as umpire continually to preserve every thing in its place; and to save it from tumult, disorder, and irregularity. 

Instead of Tumult: 

• calmness
• harmony
• order
• peace
• quiet
• silence
• stillness

Instead of Disorder: 

• arrangement
• conformity
• orderliness
• organization
• rule
• tidiness

Instead of Irregularity:

• normality
• regularity
• sameness
• standard
• usualness

And the great thing about the source of this Peace that is to act as umpire continually, is that I don't make it or have to find it—no, it's an ever present and unending supply from God! 

As my heart becomes permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG), then the peace of Christ will act as umpire continually to preserve every thing in its place; and to save it from tumult, disorder, and irregularity. 

Peace in Protection

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 43. Here is what I learned.

God, you are my ·strength [refuge].  Why have you rejected me? Why am I ·sad [L going around in mourning] and ·troubled [oppressed] by my enemies? Psalm 43:2 (EXB)

You are the True God—my shelter, my protector, the one whom I lean on. Why have You turned away from me? Rejected me? Why must I go around, overwrought, mourning, suffering under the weight of my enemies? Psalm 43:2 (VOICE)

Strength: force, fortress, rock, strengthen, most strong hold, place or means of safety, protection.

Ever just want to run and hide? Want to disappear from all that is happening around you. Remember when we were young, and thought if we put a blanket over our heads, we’d disappear. There are days that I’d like to disappear. Yet, that isn’t possible. 

But I have to say on those days of overwhelming pain, or frustration, or whatever is causing chaos, it’s nice to rest in the security and protection of God Almighty. I can snuggle in His arms knowing full well that He is in complete control. That security provides an overwhelming sense of peace. 

God is my strength, my refuge, my shelter, protector. He’s there, all I have to do is rest in His provision. Yet, too often I try to continue  on my own.... for I’m the “all powerful Oz”...... yet, in reality I’m just a human full of hot air... just as the Oz was in the Wizard of Oz. 

To create a positive day, I need to rest in the security and protection of God Almighty—He provides great peace in protection from the chaos that surrounds me. 

Peace in the Midst of Pain

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The seventeenth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 13. Here's what Treasure I found today.

How long must I ·worry [or bear pain; [hold counsels] and ·feel sad [hold sorrow] in my heart all day? How long will my enemy ·win [rise up] over me? Psalm 13:2 (EXB)

How: of time to what point ?

Long: as far (or long, or much) as.

How long? Like that proverbial question, “Are we there yet?”. How much longer? Will it ever end? 

Sorrow: affliction -- grief

Heart: inner man, mind, will, specifically of seat of the emotions and passions.

Daily: always, continually, each day.

Each day when I awake I hope to find the sorrow, grief, pain gone, but it remains. 

Having sorrow in my heart daily - Every day; constantly. That is, there was no intermission to his troubles. The sorrow in his heart seems to have been not merely that which was caused by troubles from without, but also that which sprang from the painful necessity of attempting to form plans for his own relief - plans which seemed to be in vain. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

In October 2000, I injured my back. I figured in a few days that pain would be gone. However, it remains. Each day when I wake up, the pain greets me. At times it’s overwhelming. I wonder, how long will the pain remain. Will it ever go away? 

Yet, greater than physical pain, is the grief and sorrow that is present when the soul is in pain. What causes ‘soul pain’? Several things. First, and foremost, I can cause ‘soul pain’ when I’m not right with God. When I allow sin to come between me and God. Secondly, ‘soul pain’ can be caused by Satan trying to rob me of God’s peace. Doubts and fears take place of God’s peace and comfort. And lastly, ‘soul pain’ can be growing pains. As God stretches my faith and teaches me more about Him, the soul can grieve knowing what an amazing God I have, and what a small being I am, yet He loves me. 

How long? Will it ever end? Although the pain may not end while on earth, knowing that God is still God does allows my soul to have peace—even in the midst of pain. God is still at work. He remains faithful to His promises. He will not forsake His children. God is still God! 

I don’t have to be ‘pain-free’ to create a positive day. I only need to rest in God’s goodness and watch Him work, then I can have peace in the midst of pain. And the peace that God gives, creates a positive day!