HEARTS OF PEACE:  Love, joy, and peace are the first three words the apostle Paul uses in his list of the fruit of the Spirit. Peace, just like love and joy, becomes a part of our lives when we receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. Peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The major cause of death in our world is still heart trouble. Someone has turned that around and said, “Most people live with a troubled heart.” A troubled heart lacks peace within. The heart of a person hungers for peace and the desire for peace is universal. The Bible describes Christ Jesus as the “Prince of Peace.” He is the answer to the heart’s deepest need. However, substitutes for the Prince of Peace have been accepted by many. All substitutes are temporary and when they disappear turmoil prevails in the heart. Because the daily grind of a troubled heart is so common, we tend to not see it in others. We often think we are the only one who struggles with it. As we look beyond ourselves, we find that the struggle of ‘Peace within” affects many.

The apostle Paul believed that God is the giver of real peace. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The prophet Isaiah said, “The Lord will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.”

The priests of the Old Testament were instructed to bless the people with a benediction of peace. “The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”