Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
— John 14:27 (New American Standard Bible)
For real…I did not experience peace until I was in my 40’s. I am talking about God’s peace. I am talking about peace of mind. I am talking about that peace that allows me to sleep soundly through the night knowing that God is going to take care of all the bills than I have income coming in. I am talking about an easy going feeling that all those folks who used, abused, betrayed, and deceived me are going to be handled. I am talking about the peace that once I say/pray out loud, “Lord, You are in charge. You know what I have. You know what I cannot do on my own. You are in charge. I surrender my desire to fix it, to handle it, to control it. All these burdens (fill in the blank) I lay at your feet as You see fit. It is in Your hands”. That’s the kind of peace I’m talking about.
But admit it, not alot of people know about this peace. Do you?
From the time I left my parents’ home at 17 to 40 years old (well on my own), I made a mess of my life trying to assess, evaluate and handle outcomes on my own. There were a few times it worked out in my favor. On those occasions, I believed it was an act of God. It was not. God simply allowed it to work in my favor, because I guess He felt sorry watching my pitiful self-trying to work things out in the best way I could. While I appreciate God’s sovereign grace on my behalf, I am now very aware (in retrospect) that God met me exactly at the place that I am.
The gift of God’s grace meets all of us right where we are. No one, who are Believers of Christ’s love, is exempt of His grace and mercy. He consistently and constantly grants us this grace and mercy exactly at the moments we need them. In other words, God presents us with what we do not deserve at the times when we least deserve it.
God’s message to us hasn’t changed since the beginning of time. The Bible doesn’t change; it changes us.
– Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
I have encountered quite a few people in whom I believed. Many convinced me that what they had to offer – whether friendship or romance could make me happier and fulfilled. Women and men, whom I loved, embraced as dear friends, welcomed into my home, and included in my circle have eventually revealed their ill intensions. I have been betrayed and misled on numerous occasions. Looking back, I held on to these friendships and associations far longer than I should have. Primarily, because I was hopeful or perhaps optimistic in what I thought was the good in them. Boy, have I been disappointed! I should have listened to Dr. Maya Angelou when she said, “when people show who they are, believe them the first time”.
Admittedly, I was seeking the world and all its trappings to offer me joy, peace, patience, kindness, success, etc. I was seeking a network of people with whom I can enjoy and grow. I was trying to recast a family to take the place of the dysfunction I walked away from as a teenager. Additionally, I was very quick to identify the faulted characteristics and failings of others and then quickly point out to God (wagging my finger) “Where are You? You see this?”.
It is very easy to point out what others do when it is not in our favor.
So, while I am very aware of what the world can tempt me to accept, I boldly point out there are things God cannot do. There are many but allow me to identify the top 7 characteristics God is unable to do, simply because it is not in His nature to do.
These qualities have had such a profound impact on how I manage my life now. If you read them carefully, you will recognize its benefits to your life, too. Then decide whether to be led by the temptations of friends, objects, and baseless ideas.
GOD CANNOT LIE.
The very character of God is trustworthiness. God has not lied about what He has done, what He will do and what He will do. You can certainly count on Him. God is reliable.
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior. – Titus 1:2-3
GOD CANNOT CHANGE
God is committed and unwavering about His plan for you. Throw up your hands and give God a chance to demonstrate how He does not change your world randomly or change His mind about your calling and salvation.
GOD CANNOT BREAK A PROMISE
We all know people who have promised little and big promises and many of them fell through the cracks. And we keep them around. God is not a man who would lie. God is a bigger, grander, and more majestic than you can imagine. Whatever He said He will do, He will do it.
19 “God is not a man, that He would lie,
Nor a son of man, that He would change His mind;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? – Numbers 23:19
GOD’S PURPOSE AND POWER CANNOT BE STOPPED
No one knows the future. We surely do not! We all make plans without knowing what tomorrow brings. However, it does not mean that we should not make plans. Instead, we should consider our plans considering God’s plan. You recognize the plans you make and decisions you’ve made by or with others that influenced your life and did not end well.
35 All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him.
He does as he pleases;
among the angels of heaven
and among the people of the earth;
No one can stop him or say to him
‘What do you mean by doing these things?’ – Daniel 4:35,
GOD’S WORD CANNOT BE BROKEN
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.
GOD’S LAW CANNOT BE ANNULLED OR INVALIDATED
In a changing world, the Word of God never changes. I believe the Bible from cover to cover. Every word. It is said Thomas Jefferson once went through his Bible and actually cut out the portions he disagreed with. Some of us today try to do the same thing. They pick and choose what they want to follow or what appears relevant.
7 The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure. 8 They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. – Psalm 111:7-8
GOD CANNOT STOP LOVING YOU
Let us be grateful and praise God for Who He is and What He is… a God of loving care, compassion, and forgiveness. The greatest act of love for you was His death on the Cross. He took on the penalties of our life’s indiscretions and died for you and me. Wbo do you know is willing to die for you? Who is willing to take a shot for you? Yet, we live our lives pining for their approval and acceptance.
19 We love Him because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19
Ask yourself, what does the world have to OFFER that God CANNOT provide and more? It is so much more. We just need to tap into it. Invite God in your heart to take the place of the all the wishy washy stuff. As I look back over my life, there are still adjustments to be made. There are still residual markings of wrong choices I’ve made and probably stl making. But my great desire is to have God near to lead me. I can count on His loving gentle guidance along the way to my restoration.
….now what, Linda?
now what, Linda? 