My heavenly spice rack

II John 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Once again I see here that there are certain characteristics, certain qualities, certain gifts God has given me because of my relationship with Him.  I do not have to ask God for these things; they are already mine to use.  Grace, mercy, peace, truth and love are in me and only need to be drawn on and put to use.  I picture the m like a row of bottles of spices in my kitchen cabinet, just sitting there waiting for me to open and add to my kitchen project depending only on what I need to use.  I have been given the whole “spice rack” by my Heavenly Father and my Savior.

Let peace rule

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.

One of the main messages I have received from God through my Bible reading this past year is that peace is a gift from God that I already have available to “use” whenever I need it.  Earlier in the year I saw that it is already available (May 8).  Then in 1 Corinthians I realized that it is a calling in my Christian life (Nov. 30).  Now, here in Colossians, I am told that all I have to do is to let it rule.  Allow the peace of God to operate fully in my heart.  May God be pleased to see His peace fully operational in my life in the coming year and in whatever amount of time I still have on this earth.  I know it will be there when I get to heaven as well!

PEACE is my calling

I Corinthians 7:15b God has called you to peace.

I am beginning to see peace in a new way.  Earlier this year I had been struck by the realization that I never have to ask God for peace ... it is a part of my “package” of benefits from salvation.  Peace is also a fruit of the Spirit of God Who lives in me as a child of God.  In this verse I see that it is part of God’s calling on my life.  The context of this verse shows me that His calling comes in spite of any circumstances, good or bad.  There is no question about God’s intention that every child of God have peace!  He gifts us with it, He grows it in us as a fruit, and He calls us to it.  It is there for my benefit and for my … peace.