Peace is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing

 2021 was the 50th Anniversary of the song, “Because He Lives,” by Bill and Gloria Gaither. So many memories come flooding back to me, as I listen to the anointed lyrics of this beautiful song. I was a senior at Sebring High School in 1971 when this song was written, and we began to sing it at our church, First Baptist Church of Sebring. I also remember how meaningful these lyrics were to me as I held our first-born child, Tracy, in 1979…
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How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
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These are uncertain days in which we now live, but just as the lyrics of this song proclaim, “Greater still the calm assurance; this child can face uncertain days because He lives!”
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God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
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How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
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And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
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Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!
(Because He Lives by William J. Gaither, 1971)
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Jesus slept on a pillow in the midst of a raging storm. How could He? Because He slept in the calm assurance that His Father was in control. (Mark 4:37-39)
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Jesus Christ wins, He conquers death, He walks out of the empty tomb.
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He knows the end from the beginning.
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He began with the end in mind.
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"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:26-27)
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"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me...Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:6, 19)
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Nothing satisfies my mind, my heart, and the deepest longings of my soul like Jesus does. He is not only the way, the truth, and the life; He is personal to me. He is my way, and my truth, and my life--just as he can be for anyone who reaches out to him..."He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:27)
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Peace is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing. It is not related to our environment or circumstances. Peace is a gift, something Jesus gives. Through thankful, fervent prayer—articulating our burdens to Jesus—we exchange anxiety for peace.
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We seize His promises and assurances. The peace of God is powerfully vigilant, for it literally guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We can imagine this peace as a fortress encircling us. It protects our mental, emotional, and spiritual health; our stability; our steadfastness; our confidence in God.
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As we pray, we experience His peace, the walls grow taller and stronger, protecting us more and more. Peace guards our hearts, we live behind the safe protection of our fortress of peace. No matter what, ruling our hearts is the calm assurance that Jesus knows what He’s doing.
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Heavenly Father, God of peace, teach me the path of peace. Teach me to pray with thanksgiving, to submit my requests and needs to You—and to leave them there. Forgive me for trying to carry my burdens on my own. You don’t want me to live in the clutches of anxiety; You want me to live freely, guarded by Your peace. Please flood and guard my heart with peace. Remind me, Father, that peace is not the absence of problems in my life but the calm assurance that You know what You’re doing. You have never failed me, and You will never leave me or forsake me—my confidence is in You. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, amen.
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Look Up—meditate on Acts 17:26-27… pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.
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Look In—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-27… pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."
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Look Out—as you meditate on Acts 17:26-27…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

My Personal Dayenu

My Personal Dayenu

"Dayenu" (Hebrew for "it would have been enough") is a centerpiece of the Passover Seder that has been sung for over 1,000 years. It serves as a rhythmic, cumulative "thank you" to God, sequentially listing 15 specific miracles—from the Exodus out of Egypt to the building of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Significance

Abundance vs. Sufficiency: The refrain "Dayenu" emphasizes that even if God had only performed one of these acts, it would have been sufficient for the people's survival. By declaring each step "enough," the song highlights how much God actually exceeded basic needs.

Spiritual Practice: Beyond the historical retelling, "Dayenu" is considered a spiritual exercise in mindfulness and gratitude, encouraging participants to recognize small redemptive moments in their own lives.

When I read the post, “A Personal Dayenu for Holy Week,” by my friend Maryleigh on her Blue Cotton Memory blog, it really resonated with me, and I was inspired to insert some of my gratitude into her Personal Dayenu phrases.

If Jesus had died on the cross for my sins, knit me together in my birthmother's womb, placed me in the arms of my loving Christian adoptive parents, but not called me to relationship with Him when I was ten, that would have been enough.

If He had revealed himself to me under the tree at the Young Life camp when I was eighteen, but not sent the Holy Spirit to guide me in the steps of my life, it would have been enough.

If Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen me in my walk, but not placed a hedge of protection about me growing up, it would have been enough.

If Jesus had placed a hedge of protection about me growing up, but not met me in youth group conversations, it would have been enough.

If He had met me in youth group conversations, but not answered my request for Him to show me the right person to marry, it would have been enough.

If He had answered my prayer, showing me the right person to marry, but not given me children, it would have been enough.

When He gave us one daughter, and then a miscarriage, it would have been enough.

When He answered our prayers, and gave us a son, that would have been enough.

If He had rebuilt the broken places of my soul, spending my life making me healthy and whole, but not stood with me in the stormy challenges, it would have been enough.

If He had stood with me in the storms, but not given me a God-designed “all is well” outcome (2 Kings 4:26), that would have been enough.

If He had given His God-designed “all is well” outcomes, but not given me two grandsons, it would have been enough.

If He would have given me evidence for hope, but didn’t teach me how to live in the wait of a prayer sent out, it would have been enough.

If He taught me how to live in the wait of a prayer sent out, but didn’t give me the answer I was looking for, it would have been enough.

If He answered a prayer out of His experience, not mine, but didn’t give me the wisdom to recognize it, it would have been enough.

If He gave me wisdom to recognize the goodness of how He answers prayers His way, but not the gift of laughter in the living of it, it would have been enough.

If He had given me the gift of laughter in living in the goodness of how He answers His prayers, but not given me the love of writing, it would have been enough.

If he had given me the love of writing, but not given me the opportunity to share it, it would have been enough.

“I’ll make a list of God’s gracious dealings,
    all the things God has done that need praising,
All the generous bounties of God,
    his great goodness to the family of Israel—
Compassion lavished,
.    love extravagant.”
~ Isaiah 63:7, The Message

This personal Dayenu? It’s a work in progress. I am so very grateful for how God has taken challenges and turned them into blessings, how He has and is redeeming the lost, rejected, confused, broken, graceless, rebellious, selfish, prideful parts of myself day-by-day. Because of all He suffered for you and me, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father are right beside us, wooing us, chasing us, comforting us, saving us, every day, every moment, no matter where we are!

Please share your personal Dayenu in the comments below!

31-DAY PRAYER JOURNEY LEADING TO EASTER

WOW! What a pleasant surprise! 

My book, 31-DAY PRAYER JOURNEY LEADING TO EASTER, has been listed as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon’s Hot New Releases! It is available now on Amazon at this link.

 31-Day Prayer Journey Leading to Easter Available Now
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31-day Prayer Journey Leading to Easter

This 31-day prayer journey leading to Easter focuses on deepening one's understanding of the cross, repentance, and resurrection authority. Key themes include daily scripture reading, reflection, and focused prayer, following a structure of surrender, trust, and gratitude to prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday.

Daily Prayer Themes

Days 1-7 (Foundation): Unity (1 Cor. 12:12-13), Repentance (Acts 3:19), Refuge (Psalm 7), Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32), Protection (Matt. 26:41, 2 Thess. 3:3), Guidance (Psalm 25:4-5), Strength (Isa. 40:31).

Days 8-14 (Growth): Perseverance (James 1:12), Waiting on God (Psalm 27:14), Desire for God (Psalm 42:2), Putting God First (Matt. 22:37-38), Compassion (Col. 3:12-13), Justice/Mercy (Micah 6:8), Humility (1 Peter 5:6).

Days 15-21 (Renewal): Spiritual Renewal (2 Cor. 5:17), Rescue (Isa. 61:3), Righteousness (Gal. 5:5), Seeking God (Jer. 29:11-12), Trusting God (Prov. 3:5-6), Praise (Psalm 100).

Days 22-28 (The Passion): Boldness (2 Tim. 1:7-8), Coming to God (Matt. 11:28), Peace (John 14:27-29), Entry into Jerusalem (Zech. 9:9, Luke 19:30-38), Outward Focus (Luke 10:2), Maundy Thursday (Luke 23:14-23).

Days 29-31 (Resurrection): Good Friday (Luke 23:44-46), Hope (1 Thess. 4:13-14), Resurrection (Luke 24:1-6).

Read & Reflect: Study the scripture for each day to understand its context.

Journal: Write down what God whispers during your prayer time.

Action: Apply the "doable" structure: Read, Reflect, Pray, and act on the daily theme.

Day 1 Pray for Unity 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 

Day 2 Pray for Repentance Acts 3:19 

Day 3 Pray for Refuge in the Lord Psalm 7 

Day 4 Pray for Forgiveness Ephesians 4:32 

Day 5 Pray for Protection from Temptation Matthew 26:41

Day 6 Pray for Protection 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Day 7 Pray for Guidance Psalm 25:4-5

Day 8 Pray for Strength Isaiah 40:31

Day 9 Pray for Perseverance James 1:12

Day 10 Pray to Wait Upon the Lord Psalm 27:14

Day 11 Pray for Desire to Know God More Psalm 42:2

Day 12 Pray to Place God First Matthew 22:37-38

Day 13 Pray for Compassion Colossians 3:12-13

Day 14 Pray for Justice, Love, Mercy Micah 6:8

Day 15 Pray for Humility 1 Peter 5:6

Day 16 Pray for Spiritual Renewal 2 Corinthians 5:17

Day 17 Pray for God to Rescue Us Isaiah 61:3

Day 18 Pray for Righteousness Galatians 5:5

Day 19 Pray to Seek God Jeremiah 29:11-12

Day 20 Pray to Trust God Proverbs 3:5-6

Day 21 Praise God in prayer Psalm 100

Day 22 Pray for Boldness 2 Timothy 1:7-8 

Day 23 Pray to Come to God as You Are Matthew 11:28

Day 24 Pray for God’s Peace John 14:27-29

Day 25 Pray Through Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem Zechariah 9:9

Day 26 Pray Through Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem Luke 19:30-38

Day 27 Pray for an Outward Focus Luke 10:2

Day 28 Pray on Maundy Thursday Luke 23:14-23

Day 29 Pray on Good Friday Luke 23:44-46

Day 30 Pray for Hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Day 31 Pray on Easter/He is Risen! Luke 24:1-6

Summarize what God has whispered to you during your times of prayer.

31-DAY PRAYER JOURNEY LEADING TO EASTER PDF

A small thing that makes a big difference—Psalm 23

 In response to a writing prompt recently, I prayed and asked God to reveal to me times when He had used “a small thing to make a big difference” in my life. I was immediately reminded of all the many times in my life when God revealed to me that He had been with me all along. Over and over again, I could see throughout my life, as I would go through a crisis, the "small thing that made a big difference" in my life was the Twenty-third Psalm. It is small when compared to other Psalms, it only has six verses, and yet God has used it to make a big difference in my life, helping me experience His Peace and enjoy His Presence in the midst of every crisis.

When I wake up at 2:00am, I meditate on the Twenty-third Psalm, and gently drift back off to sleep praying...

The Lord is my shepherd;

I lack nothing.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through 

the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over with blessings.

Surely goodness and mercy

 shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When I am praying for others, I picture Jesus, my Shepherd, in the green pasture of the 23rd Psalm. As I pray, I take whatever concern I have, or the person for whom I am interceding by the hand, I walk out to the meadow, the green pasture, and I place my concern, or the hand of the person for whom I am interceding, in Jesus’ hand…knowing that He is sovereign, He loves me, and He loves the person for whom I am interceding more than I do. He has a plan, a hope, and a future for each of us…and I walk away, thanking God for how He is working in my life and in the lives of those for whom I am interceding. I experience a feeling of peace…as Catherine Marshall prayed, “Lord, I trust You…You know what You’re doing…I relinquish my will to Yours.”

When a brokenhearted friend calls with news of the sudden homegoing of a loved one, we pray the 23rd Psalm…

O Heavenly Father, we ask you to wrap Your Loving Arms around us today. You are close to the brokenhearted and You save those who are crushed in spirit. You are our Shepherd, we lack nothing. You make us lie down in green pastures, You lead us beside the still waters. You restore our souls. You lead us in the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for You are with us. You are Emmanuel, God with us, we are absolutely certain, You are with us at this time. Your rod and Your staff, Your Holy Spirit and Your Word, they comfort us. You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. You anoint our heads with oil, our cup overflows with blessings. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

The 23rd Psalm begins with David talking to someone, probably himself, as he says, “The Lord is…He restores me…He leads me. All of a sudden, when he faces a crisis, the valley of the shadow of death, he immediately begins to speak directly to the Lord, “For You are with me”…When we go through a crisis, it is a matter of talking to the Lord yourself, for He is with you, underneath (green pastures), beside you, in front of you (table), surrounding you, chasing after you (goodness and mercy), and ahead of you (house of the Lord). 

For every need presented in this Psalm, God has a name to meet that need. For every circumstance, God has a name to overcome that circumstance. David knew the Great Shepherd. The LORD comes from the name Jehovah. He is the Great "I AM." He depends upon no one. There are seven names of God paired with each verse in the 23rd Psalm:

JEHOVAH-RA’AH—The Lord is my shepherd; 

JEHOVAH-JIREH—The Lord, my provider—I lack nothing.

JEHOVAH-SHALOM—The Lord, our peace—He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.

JEHOVAH-RAPHA—The Lord, my healer—He restores my soul:

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU—The Lord, our righteousness—He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

JEHOVAH-SHAMAH—The Lord, ever-present—Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

JEHOVAH-NISSI—The Lord, our banner—You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:

JEHOVAH-RAPHA—The Lord, my healer—You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows with blessings.

JEHOVAH-JIREH—The Lord, my provider—Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Ask people which scripture they love the most and which has meant most to them, and many would point to the Twenty-third Psalm. The Lord has used it to dry many tears and lift many out of the pit of despair and discouragement. This small Psalm deals with almost every adverse circumstance in life and how to win over it…truly, a small thing that makes a big difference, amen?

Tell It Like It Is with Roy Cox

 When I was a senior in high school, my dear friend Roy Cox along with our First Baptist Church Sebring Florida youth group performed the 1970’s folk musical “Tell It Like It Is.” It was such a spiritual milestone in my life, standing up for my faith before secular audiences. 

One year when I posted this on Facebook, Roy shared such a heartfelt comment about what this experience meant to him. I wholeheartedly agree with Roy.  In 2020, Roy went home to be with Jesus, and now his faith has become sight. Oh, how we look forward to that day!

Here are the lyrics from one of the inspiring songs, “Pass It On”…

It only takes a spark to get a fire going 

And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing.

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it, you spread His love to everyone

You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding.

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it, 

you want to sing

“It’s fresh like spring”; 

you want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I’ve found.

You can depend on Him, it matters not where you’re bound.

I’ll shout it from the mountain top

I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me,

I want to pass it on.