Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 1-25-24, 2 Thessalonians 3:16- "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!" This is a blessing. It is a blessing pronounced over each of us, every moment of every day. If you do not experience peace, is it because God is failing to keep His promise? Hardly! God always keeps His promises! God promises peace; but we must accept it and act on His peace, if we are going to receive it. Our problem as humans in this sinful world is this - we want to be in control. We have believed the lie that we can be in control. God does not lie. Satan lies. Satan has convinced mankind that control is not only possible but of the utmost importance, thus distracting people's attention from God and peace. My own attempts at control bring chaos in one form or another. As I acknowledge my true lack of control in each situation, acknowledging and welcoming God's intervention, the chaos is controlled and peace is a possibility. The externals may not change. Life is still a mess. However, I have given the Lord of Peace, Himself, permission to anoint me with His peace in every circumstance. If you want His peace, ask for it. If you want His peace, determine to firmly center your thoughts on Him. If you want His peace, control the one thing in your life you can control - your own thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 Amplified is the standard, "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You." Believe God, take Him at His word, and accept His offer of peace in every circumstance.