Peace in this day and time has become a rare jewel to obtain. Peace must be guarded and protected once in your possession. This Bible plan will explore methods for safely and effectively protecting the valuable gift of peace, which can only be maintained effectively through the power of Christ Jesus.
JulieAnn Griffin
Day 1
Scriptures: Psalms 46:10, Hebrews 12:2
The Precious Gift of Peace
The dictionary defines peace as freedom from disturbance and tranquility. It can also refer to the absence of noise, movement, or activity—stillness and quiet.
Oh, what a precious gift peace can be! How rare it is to find and actually keep hold of it!
In a chaotic, turmoil-filled world, it can be challenging to calm down enough to seek peace and hold onto it long enough to make a difference in the day.
Often, we find ourselves looking for peace in all kinds of ways that don’t bring the true inner peace we long for. We might bury ourselves in a book, a TV show, social media, traveling, people, shopping, or other stimuli, thinking that the distraction from our reality will somehow bring peace. Let’s glance back at the dictionary’s definition of peace: freedom, tranquility, stillness, and quiet. These are critical ingredients to the everlasting peace that we hope for.
Genuine, lasting Peace is easily obtainable and has another Name: Jesus Christ. The main ingredient in ushering in God’s peace is being still before Him (Psalm 46:10). The key is recognizing Christ as The Author and Perfector of our faith and giving Him the attention, adoration, and reverence He deserves.
What does “be still and know” look like with God? Well, it can look different for each individual, but there is the common element of focus on Him in worship and respect.
Peace can be ushered in through reading and quiet reflection of God’s Word. It can also be brought on by outward praise and adoration of Him that comes from a heart of gratitude, thankfulness, and genuine love for Him. Listening to or singing praise to God can bring peace to you. Prayer can bring a great sense of peace in the chaos. Journaling how God is at work in and through your life can also bring about His Peace.
To protect your peace, you must first fully recognize what peace is and aggressively pursue it. You’ll also need to see the great value in obtaining it while pursuing it and do everything you can to protect it by being intentional in the pursuit.
PRAYER:
Jesus, You are perfect Peace. Help me recognize You as such and apply the necessary techniques to obtain Your most precious gift of Peace in my life. I am in Your capable and able hands, and I thank You for that. Help me trust You to administer peace to my heart. In Jesus’s Name, I pray, Amen.
Day 2
Scriptures: John 14:27, Psalms 119:56, Isaiah 26:3, Romans 15:13, Matthew 17:20
The Palpable Wonder of Peace
As a child, my mother taught me to care for what was given to me: “No one owes you anything, and anything given to you is a blessing you do not need to take for granted! Handle all you receive with great respect so they last.”
As a kid, I protected my most prized toys like a soldier defending his country! That lesson stuck with me from early on through later adult life.
As an adult, handmade items mean much more than anything purchased. I value it all, but it’s more special when someone thinks enough of me to offer up a piece of themselves through their talents, effort, and time…it’s extra unique.
The wonder of the Peace from Jesus is so unique that when it’s made known, it can be hard to fathom how He delivers that gift so perfectly, just when needed and wanted. Jesus gives peace that the world cannot offer, and it is more prized than silver or gold. It’s better than our most prized possessions here on Earth. He freely extends peace to us. He encourages us not to be dismayed because He can deliver the perfect peace we need. (John 14:27)
So, how do we feel His peace as we seek Him out? We focus on Him and His precepts. God says He will “keep” us in perfect peace when our minds focus on Him. That means we must choose to redirect our focus on the daily and give Him the time that He deserves throughout our day. (Psalm 119:56, Isa. 26:3)
We must also believe He is who He says He is and what He can do in and through our lives. We abound in hope by the power of The Holy Spirit! (Rom. 15:13)
Some days, I only have a sliver of faith. Thankfully, we are only called to at least have faith as a mustard seed that He can work with. Some days, it’s all I’ve been able to “muster up,” but that’s all it took. Like the old song says, “Little is much when God is in it!”
Ask God today to let you tangibly feel His Peace. Handle it well so it will last!
PRAYER:
Jesus, I admit that my faith is sometimes lacking, and I need Your increase. Please let me have Your Peace today in my life and help me trust that You are at work, whether or not I see it or feel it. In Jesus’s Name, I pray, Amen.
Day 3
Scriptures: Philippians 4:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Matthew 5:9, Colossians 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The Passion for Peace
The desire for peace must be within you to obtain it, like most anything else. You can desire something but not necessarily be passionate about it. I want and love to sing, but my passion for writing is more than singing, so you’ll find me making time to write much quicker than trying to make time for singing. Because the passion is there to write, I will do whatever is necessary to make it happen as often as necessary. I safeguard and protect this passion that The Lord gave me to write.
How is your passion-gauge ranking for finding peace in Jesus? Do you value it in such a way that you are passionate about obtaining it daily? The Lord wants to use His Peace to strengthen your heart and your mind. (Phil 4:7, 2 Thess. 3:16)
And how are you at being a “Peace Maker?” We are called to it, ruling our hearts! He goes a step further in telling us to “be thankful.” (Matt. 5:9, Col. 3:15)
Have you ever noticed that you cannot be in a state of thankfulness and also in a state of discord simultaneously? The brain is not wired to feel both thankfulness and anger at the same time. Anger is associated with the “fight or flight” response, while gratitude is linked to a more relaxed “rest and digest” state, making it difficult to experience both simultaneously.
We are to give thanks in ALL circumstances! It’s not only the will of God, but it facilitates Christ’s Peace! (1Thess. 5:18)
So not only should we be passionate about living in the perfect peace of Jesus, but we should also strive to be the peacemaker that He is with whom all we come in contact.
It is much easier to protect your peace when you are passionate about it, and that only comes from requesting the power of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER:
God, I need to develop a more extraordinary passion for Your Peace; please give in abundance. Help me to learn of You and Your ways so profoundly that I display Your Peace toward others when I come in contact with them, and they feel as though they have been with You in my presence so that I may better look like You. In Jesus’s Name, I pray, Amen.
Day 4
Scriptures: Numbers 25:12, 3 John 1:2, Psalms 119:10, Proverbs 7:15, Matthew 4:10, Romans 14:12
The Protective Promise of Peace
We are guaranteed peace. We only need to take hold of it for ourselves (Numbers 25:12)
What is the secret or “magic sauce” to protecting your peace?
Here’s a guide:
1. Recognize it’s a necessity for your life
2. Prioritize it into each day
3. Utilize the tools for administration
4. Actualize the plan so that nothing stands in the way of living out Peace
Recognize. Most of us recognize that we need a hygiene routine, right? So, we must also acknowledge that peace needs to be part of what we guard and protect each day to ensure proper health and well-being for ourselves and those around us. (3 John 1:2)
Prioritize. If you want sound doctrine and mental health, you must make time for it daily. Plan your quiet time with God each day. He wants your undivided attention to speak Peace over you. Set an alarm if need be so that it becomes a habit. Habits can be formed easily by doing something repetitively for at least 66 days. If you can make it that far, you have established a crucial protection over your well-being on the journey to peace! (Psa. 119:10, Prov. 7:15)
Utilize. The tools for peace are at your disposal. You are given a direct line to The Father through communication in prayer. Hide His Word in your heart. It’s essential to obtaining peace quickly. You’d be amazed at how He will use what you have memorized from His Word to recall what you need when you need it the most. I like to write down verses on 4X6 cards and keep them in front of me, reading them repeatedly until it is hidden in the recesses of my heart and mind. There is also immediate peace that can sweep over you just by quoting God’s Word out loud. The devil can’t remain where God’s Word is applied! (Matt 4:10)
Actualize. Apply these steps and make it happen for yourself. No one can do it for you. You alone will stand before God to give account for your words/actions/lack thereof. (Rom 14:12)
PRAYER:
You have promised me peace if I will receive it, Lord. Inspire me to accept and protect Your Peace and let it flow out of me to others as a daily habit. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.