Tag: peace

Peace Equals Trust in who God says He Is

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Our level of Peace directly coincides with our Trust in who God says He is.

~Rachelle Hjertstedt-Layzell ~

I have been walking in a level of Peace lately that is supernatural despite my circumstances. It is because I know who God is. I trust and believe His character.

He is good all the time.
He has good plans not evil for me.
There is nothing that can separate me from His love.
If God is for me Who can be against me.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
I am More than a conquer in Christ.
He who has started a work in me Will complete it till the day of Jesus Christ.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper!

Now that’s straight Bible right there! I have hidden it in my heart and it has become my anthem. My strength, my daily mana. Knowing who I am in Christ comes by reading the Bible and applying it to my life.

I just ordered myself the book, The Attributes of God by AW Tozer volumes 1 and 2. I want to dig deep into this because the way I view God has everything to do with how I view myself and life. Even after going to Bible College many years ago, there is always the opportunity to learn and grow more. Can’t wait to start sharing what I get out of that study!

The truth of a Christian life

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If you think being a Christian entitles you to an easy life, I’m sorry to say, that is a lie. However, one of the biggest gifts of a life with Christ is the privilege of tapping into all of the Power and Resources of Heaven through the blood of Jesus. When you are covered with the blood of Jesus you have everything you need to not only survive each day but experience true peace, joy and contentment.
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul says, Godliness with contentment is great gain. In the Amplified it says
“But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. 1 Tim 6:6 Amp

I love that version! It describes that inner peace and confidence that we can have in Christ. Understanding the love that God has for us settles our soul like nothing else in this world! No matter the pain, betrayal or rejection you have encountered, allowing the love of God to fill every pore of our being is like taking a dry sponge and plunging it into water. If you let it soak in there for a bit, it fills up every single crack and hole.

When you bring that sponge out, what happens? It drips. What drips out of us if we soak in God’s love? The abundance of Living Water that Jesus Promised in John 4 with the woman at the well. He said, if she would drink of this water she would never be thirsty again.
And also in John 7:38-39
Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

In Psalms 16:11 it says, You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have Life, and may have it in Abundance.

Let’s drink from the well of Jesus today. Let’s soak in His presence
(in His Presence, there are Presents😂❤️) and in His unfathomable love. Let it sink into every single pore of our being until we drip his love and peace on all those around us.

In the Darkest Night He Will Light it Up

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When God gets ready to move you into another step of your destiny, I am learning he will begin to expose the sin in our lives. Even more so, He may also shake the foundations in our lives where sin is about to be exposed in those around us. This can cause households to shake.

It may make you uncomfortable, because when sin is exposed hell trembles, especially if your heart is pure and repentant before the Lord. The enemy will try to pull out all the stops. You may have times where you feel hopeless and that the dreams God had given you will never be fulfilled. You may look at circumstances and think, how in the world will God ever fulfill His word. You may feel dry and possibly even distant from God’s voice.

But if your heart’s desire is to live completely sold out in abandonment to the lover of your soul, God will not forsake you! He will fulfill his word! His promises always will be fulfilled! It might not look like what you expected but God is the ultimate Transformer.

He can take utter devastation and loss and in your darkest moment give you a glimpse of the beauty before you. Don’t lose heart. Don’t give up. Keep your eyes on Jesus and seek his face and not just his hand of what he can do for you. Spending time in his presence is like nothing else you will encounter on Earth. Put on some worship music and enter in with abandonment. This has been my personal playlist this year. It had been constantly on repeat. I hope you find healing and peace through these songs. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUDOz07Ot4bbBBvtHe6FVoQVcnt9hlPiz

Setting our eyes on Him takes our eyes off of our current circumstances and allows Faith to fill us.

Knowing the will of God & Making Good Decisions

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Having always been taught by my dad, when making decisions and trying to figure out the will of God to remember James 3:17-18
That the wisdom of God is peaceable.
At first, I can be quick to think that if I do not have peace initially, then it can’t be God’s will to do.
However, when I take a step back, I realize how much of my flesh and carnal thoughts get in the way of what God’s true will is. I can wrestle against something that I feel He has said because of human fears or anxiety about the unknown. That does not mean he doesn’t want me to do it! It can mean that I need to lay down my fears and anxiety at His feet and put my complete trust in Him.
It is ONLY after I have done that completely with a pure willing heart that I need to step back and reevaluate my “Peace Level”.
At that point, as I compare what I feel he is saying with the Bible (that it doesn’t contradict what it says in there), I get godly counsel from spiritual leaders then move ahead with the steps needed to put a peaceful plan in motion.

For me when I hear God tell me something that goes against what my first initial reaction is, there are many times I just have to suck it up and obey. The best part is that He Has Good Things In Store For Those Who Believe and Put Their Trust In Him. He knows the future better than I do 😂 Yes, of course he does. I just need to trust him that he has my best interest at heart and wants to give me peace and bless me.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you.Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord , ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals]. –

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone?10 Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake?11 If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him. –

How to Stand Firm

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Stand Firm, Matthew 24:13

Wow, Matthew 24:13 jumped off the page this morning. Especially the definition of
STAND Firm.
So HOW do we do that when everything appears chaotic around us? It starts by knowing who we stand firm with! The character and words of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are unchangeable. His words Always come to pass. Maybe not in our timing, but his Promises are true. The word of God, the Bible is our firm foundation. It is not a book of nice stories, it is the infallible words of God with accurate historical facts. It is our rock and our source. It never changes.

Our PEACE is not determined by what we see outside, it comes from trusting and yielding to the Holy Spirit. He is our pure peace. We might have fun doing things in life, but it doesn’t bring true lasting deep peace. It is in that place of peace where we can relax and ask God to speak to us. It could be through his Word, through worship, soaking, praying in the spirit, or just being quiet. He wants to speak to us more than we want to stay quiet and listen.

Our HOPE comes from knowing His Word, Believing in Faith and acknowledging He is in Control and will keep his people in the shelter of His wing. He has given us authority through His son Jesus to rule and reign with him in heavenly places. He has put the enemy Under our feet. (Romans 16:19,20 Be exellent in what is good, be innocent of evil. And the God of Peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet) We put on our armor Ephesians 6. We know we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and rulers in heavenly places. But, Jesus took the keys of sin and death from the devil after his death on the cross. Jesus said, I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive forevermore. I have the keys of hell and of death. (Rev 1:18)

Our HOPE is knowing that our citizenship is not on Earth. If we belong to Christ, Heaven is our home and we eagerly await our reunion with Him. Phillipians 3:20 Our confidence in this comes from Faith in His Word.

If there was ever a time to read our Bibles it is now!

Why are these two pictures related for Christmas?

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I LOVE the symbolism of my little nativity. Before JESUS CHRIST was crucified on the cross and the veil that separated all from the Holy of holies was torn on the temple, the Ark of the Covenant alone hosted the presence of God. Jesus became the FINAL blood atonement for our sins, and we are now priests unto God who can BOLDLY approach His throne of Grace and into His most holy presence. Christ alone is the mediator between God and man, no longer do we need a High Priest to go before God for our sins or to be the only one to witness His Glory, Power and Presence.

Why is this such a BIG DEAL? Before the veil was torn the only person who was able to go before the Glory of God & Ark of the Covenant which was behind the thick veil of the temple was the high priest, once a year. He would go into the holy of holies with a rope tied around his ankle that had a bell on it. They did that because if for some reason the priest was not purified himself and if he did anything wrong he could drop dead. The bell was to hear if the priest fell.The Rope was to pull the priest out without risking going into the Holy of Holies and drop dead themselves.

But NOW WE only need to come before Him with pure hearts and the shed blood Jesus. King David said, obedience is better than sacrifice. Our obedience is to God when we live according to His principles and truth. Now the law or Bible when read and taught is written on our hearts through the Holy Spirit. 

Our OBEDIENCE  to His GUIDANCE  leads to His PEACE.

This Revelation hit me today smack between the eyes. Two nights ago I laid awake for hours praying about a situation with my son and crying out to God for wisdom and an answer. Yesterday God revealed a principle that I had been neglecting to walk in and how I related to my son. I asked God’s forgiveness and immediately started to change the way I was relating to my son. This morning when I woke up the peace and part of the answer that I was waiting for finally came. I began to hear God’s voice with the issue I was praying about. He told me today that because of my sacrifice and my obedience to him, He will now do His part. It doesn’t mean the situation is going to iron itself out quickly and be exactly the way I want it. But just the fact that I was able to finally hear His voice and receive His peace in the matter was astounding. All day yesterday I was wrestling with the feeling of not being able to hear clearly, I hate that feeling. It was like it was all cloudy and static between me and God. But in the meantime God was doing something in me that I had no idea was connected to the static and uneasiness.

God rewards our obedience no matter how small we think it might be. HE IS FAITHFUL! Now I learn to trust, listen to his voice and obey the simple instructions. The most comforting thought in the world for parent is to know that God loves our children even more than we do and he cares for their spiritual growth even more than we do.

I hope this blesses and encourages you like it has me. We are on the journey, but we are not alone.

“Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].
For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.
Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
Hebrews 4:14-16

The Benefits of Alignment – Favor & Peace

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May He grant you your heart’s desire
And fulfill all your counsel!
Psalms 20:4 NAS

This mornings meditations and Bible research. This verse is very intriguing to me. Because many translations say “may he give you all your desires and make your plans succeed”

Except in the original Hebrew it says something A little bit different .
“Grant you according to your own heart all your counsel .” The word for “according to your own heart” as well as “your counsel” is only written and used one time each in The Bible .

There is something about the other translations that didn’t sit well with me. Even though throughout the Bible it says God will give you the desires of your heart, People tend to see that as God giving you whatever you want. But we also know that Jesus said if you pray “according to my will” it will be done.
If Jesus gave us everything we asked for –
We would be a mess.

When we walk with God and rely on His counsel, we will understand His will which will be confirmed by his peace.  ~Rachelle Layzell

“But the wisdom that is from above is pure, filled with peace, meek and attentive, filled with love and good fruit, without division and does not show partiality“. James 3:17

A commentator by the name of Gill said about Psalms 20:4, “whatever was agreed upon in the council and covenant of peace between him and his Father, relating to his own glory, and the salvation of his people.”

When we are in covenant with God and make our decisions according to his counsel – that is an agreement of his will. I believe it is THAT WILL Jesus was talking about.

Jesus said in John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly [in the Greek perissos]

perissós (an adjective, derived from 4012 /perí, “all-around, excess”) – properly all-around, “more than” (“abundantly”); beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation; “more abundant,” going past the expected limit (“more than enough . . . “)

I believe there is a direct correlation between walking in council with God and living abundantly. When we align ourselves with God’s will while being in pure relationship with him we will be directed down the right path. The result of obedience while listening to his voice is FAVOR as He is then able to pour abundantly into our lives.  ~ Rachelle Layzell

It is like the parable of the Good Stewart who did not just waste his talents but invested them. When the master came back he then set him over larger realms of responsibility.

I love that parable because it shows how we partner with God and use the things that He has given us along with his wisdom to expand our influence and blessings . This journey with God is a partnership as well as a relationship. If we walk through life only enjoying the relationship and ignore the partnership a, we are missing out on heaven’s immeasurable resources.  ~ Rachelle Layzell

Jesus said in Matthew 15:15
1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.9 I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.

14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit andkeep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.

That is one incredible promise! Jesus no longer calls us servants but friends because he has revealed to us the father’s will.
IT IS TIME TO LIVE ABUNDANT LIFE AS WE WALK WITH GOD, LISTEN AND OBEY AND RECEIVE ALL HE HAS FOR US!

There is nothing like digging into the Word of God! Life to my bones  😀

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REST!! Or Else!

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No matter what season of life I am in, I HAVE to learn to find time to find rest in Him, even if it means saving up for a massage😉. Yesterday, was one of those days. On Saturday night I wanted to hop on a plane somewhere tropical and leave all the stress behind. Not possible. Next best thing was a husband who let me have the evening to spoil myself. He relaxes by whitewater kayaking, I relax by getting a massage. (To each his own, right?).
I did not go into my massage with the expectations of having a God encounter. I just wanted to relax. But something incredible happened as I begin to relax in the natural my spirit begin to commune with God in a very easy way.

There is nothing as tranquil as entering into the place of REST with our beloved Savior. It is only in Him we find pure saturating peace. In REST His voice is clear and His purpose is revealed.

 I was thanking him for all he’s done and he began to show me things about the masseuse and I began to sincerely pray for her. I didn’t think of where my prayers would lead because I was almost asleep in a relaxed state. After the massage was over I told her how thankful I was that God lead me to that place. She excitedly replied, “Oh, I Love God!!” Haha! Open door right there. I began to share with her what God showed me about her how much she loves her and he knows all the pain she has been through in the last three years with her family members. I told her that God has you right where she is supposed to be and told her I was praying that the windows of heaven would open up over her shower down more blessing that she could receive. She began to weep in the hallway and hugged me so tightly. God encountered both of us!
To tell you the truth walking into that place I had absolutely nothing in me to give. Or so I thought. But all it takes is having our mind focused on our Savior who is right there to meet us at the point of our need. He filled me as I “allowed” myself to rest. That is a good point right there, I ALLOWED myself to REST! (However, there is a difference between, rest and having fun, and intentionally spending time with God as we rest) Sometimes I think we have a high and mighty perception of serving God and others that we have to burn ourselves out in order to get everything done. But whenever I try to do that I am left absolutely wasted and I want to quit, I think that is called burnout. I never want to burn out I want to be consumed with the Holy Ghost fire of God and I want to see that fire burst out and touch my community and the nations. I need to allow myself time to rest, for my physical body sake, my family sake, my church’s sake and my sphere of influence.
The yoke that we are supposed to carry with God is not heavy unless we mistake being yoked to God to being yoked to our circumstances. He said My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart you will find rest unto your soul. Walking side-by-side with God not trying to run out in front of him. Find REST, my soul, in God alone. He is my hope! God teach us to rest in you, to minister to others out of a place of rest. Consume us and release us to spread your fire!!

There is nothing as tranquil as entering into the place of REST with our beloved Savior. It is only in Him we find pure saturating peace. In REST His voice is clear and His purpose is revealed.

I found this amazing song by Kari Jobe this morning that goes along with what I shared above. I hope it blesses you!

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mq59iE3MhXM

What ways have you found to allow yourself to rest in God? What happened as a result? 

  

Keys to a close relationship 

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I have walked through the image on this picture so many times in the last 15 years of marriage. The first thing that happens when something is wrong is to clam up and not share what is really going on. We think the other person is going to just know what is wrong and change. Seriously? That never happens! What does happen is we are filled with anger, resentment and frustration. The wedge between us becomes wider and the angry giant is fed.
Relationships require humility & thinking of someone else before ourselves. In this case it means taking out the scalpel and digging into the deep parts of our heart even if it hurts us and possibly the other person. Transparency is the first step of reconciliation. Transparency with God and with our spouse. If it is too hard to take the first step then we must go to God first before we go to someone outside the problem. God is the best counselor, but too often we don’t trust him enough to take care of us. In our society we want everything microwave fast, even wisdom and counsel. We will spend time talking to a friend or counselor before we talk to God. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and PRINCE of PEACE! Allow the Prince of Peace into your marriage and relationships then allow yourself to open up and share what is on your heart. In most cases the other person will open up and share what was bothering them and reconciliation will come!
This year, lets see 2016 bring together husband and wife, father/mother & children, siblings, relatives, friends and coworkers. Lets allow the love of the Father to penetrate every relationship and bring a revelation of unity to the world. Happy New Year!!  

Recipe for Peace- whats on Your newsfeed?

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If you spend any time watching the news or way too long looking at your newsfeed, than you know it is getting crazy out there. Dwelling on what is going on in the world without balancing by taking time resting in God’s presence and reading the Bible will lead to unnecessary anxiety. One of the last things my Grandpa David Hjertstedt told me before he died was to always keep my eyes open to what is going on around the world so I know how to interceed. He lead a long life of sacrifice and service to God while interceeding 24/7. He would lay on his bed all night weeping and groaning for the world to come to salvation. He taught my family and thousands of others to always have a pulse on the world and keep our ears open to what the Spirit of the Lord was saying. 

To be honest, lately, I have gotten out of balance. With all that is happening with ISIS, the Middle East and the lack of godly leadership coming from the White House my heart and mind and been overwhelmed. My source of peace has been right there but I did not turn to Him.  Today, I began looking up verses on Peace. While I read them it was like the Word slapped some sense back into me. We have to keep both eyes on Jesus Christ who is the salvation of our world, while looking at the world He holds in His hands. When our eyes are only on the world and where it is  heading we are willingly allowing anxiety, stress and fear enter our heart and spirit. The last thing you want is for a door to be left open to the enemy. CLOSE THAT DOOR IN JESUS NAME!! Repent for opening the door. Close the Door of fear! Close the door of worry! And Close the Door of doubt! Do not allow your good intentions of being alert to what is going on so you can pray, to be turned into an open door where the enemy can take advantage of your sensitive heart. 

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

  
We need to make sure we let God carry the burdens while we walk side by side with Him carring His yoke. 

  
So my encouragement to you today is to stop watching/listening to the news for a while and set your focus on Him. Fill your facebook newsfeeds with scripture and encourage others where they can find true peace. Are we being a testimony of peace or are we only stirring fear? Never stop sharing truth of what is really going on in the world because too many people feel better with their heads in the sand. THAT IS NOT AN ACT OF BEING VIGILANT! Some Christians think that getting into politics or world affairs is not a position of peace, but in reality it is exactly what Jesus encouraged us to do. 

1 Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

We need to be ambassadors of PEACE! We need to hold up the banner of Peace, Truth and Righteousness. There is an old song I remeber and the chorus goes “For the captain of the Host is Jesus. We are following in His footsteps. No foe can stand against us in our land!”

PRAY -BE ALERT & AWARE- SPREAD PEACE – SHARE THE SALVATION THAT ONLY COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!