CALM ... in His PEACE

When I wrote last week's
CALM ... in His Love
I also mentioned midway through ...
"CALM
along with the Peace it brings"
(which helped me to FOCUS on CALM ... in His PEACE)
so I begin to think on this
PEACE
when the following popped up in my email

from Sarah Young's devotional
"Jesus Listens"

with the following image & quote 
from her  devotional for December 18th
to
"All-wise God"
so I got out my "Jesus Listens" to read page 368-369

[image credit: 📧from Jesus Calling Daily]

Of course I was drawn to this image and the bold large words

"COMPLICATED MAZE"

because MAZE is part of my Blog Title

and to say the least is to share

that much of my life has

had many MAZES

but

I am always aMazed how

God somehow

has been able to get me through each one.

I'm going to share some of Sarah Young's prayer to 

"All-wise God"

{HE really is!}

" You have been teaching me that understanding will never bring me Peace. Your Word instructs me to trust in You with all my heart instead of relying on my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 HCSB). This verse challenges me every day of my life." ...

Frankly, I couldn't agree more. And then Sarah Young has written about "trying to figure things out" ... oh my, how she goes on to confess to our "All-Wise God" how the "world presents (us) me with endless series of problems". {That sure is the truth!} and then she continues on explaining with "mastering one set of difficulties" and how another one arises. And on and on, how our minds repeat and gear up & strive for understanding, etc. instead of seeking our Lord, our Master. Then Sarah asks for His forgiveness and help to seek Him above all else.(Jeremiah 29:13) {oh, yes!} but we get ourselves into this repetitive cycle, this MAZE. And then we arrive to the line on the image of being "thankful that His PEACE is not an elusive goal" - "hidden at the center of a complicated MAZE." And Sarah Young ends with these words that we all can pray:

"... Because I belong to You, I'm already enveloped in the Peace that is inherent in Your Presence. The more I look to You, Jesus, the more of Your precious Peace You give me."

Romans 5:1; 
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
"Majestic Jesus, Prince of Peace"[more to read from Sarah Young]"Let me Fill You with My Love, Joy and Peace"
Many of Sarah Young's books have PEACE in their titles(or Joy)but there's one specifically called"Jesus Calling, 50 Devotions for Peace"
Our world certainly could use more of PEACE
In fact, I found another book(yet not even considering this, so late in this year with CALM)"Deep Peace: Finding CALM in a World of Conflict and Anxiety"[above link is to Google]
I'm also sharing this link to Amazon because of the Note from the Author(way down the page)Why Write Deep Peace{clearly this is more about Peace, which comes with more CALM}but it struck a deep chord within me, reminding me of the song with"Let Peace begin with me... let this be the moment now"from "Let There Be Peace on Earth" (Vince Gill)
<>
It seems to make sense to me that the more we allow ourselves while making any changes in our lives, to slow down, stay CALM, and lean more into Jesus, that the Holy Spirit will have a chance to lead us into Jesus' Peace instead of us falling into a 'pressure cooker' situation and avoid setting off all the alarms, bells and whistles; or yet again winding and complicating our lives even more by yet again following into the unending MAZE, we can breathe and lean into His everlasting arms of Peace - it is possible. And so much better, to realize this before we end up in the MAZE. Yet God will use every MAZE (and each part) of our lives to impart His Holy Spirit to lead us through and back to our Peace in God and the CALM (after the storm, during the storm or even preparing us before any old storm hits us) because that is Who our God is - our Peace, our Way Maker, our storm breaker and our CALM in & out of the MAZEs!

 "... Since Jesus is our Peace, the more we draw near to Him, the closer our relationship {becomes} with Him, then the more we will experience that Peace of God ..." [from The Worship Center blog article] and another blog post ["Finding Peace and Calm"]. I share the articles because I see no reason to restate what has already been shared well. 

I reflect on how this year of 2024, I do have a deep Peace that has held me throughout this year and I am so thankful that I can still find His Peace, in a year that has been further from CALM or Peaceful than many years of my life and the situation in the forthcoming years seem to be filled with less and less certainty of Peace in our world or lives, so now more than ever, we need to lean in to the Prince of Peace; and experience the Peace of God. Jesus is Peace personified! (I liked that from the YV plan noted at the end of this blog post) which the plan shows in the 5 names given in Isaiah (9:6) and prophesized by Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel - God WITH us; representing Jesus' human and divine side: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace because Jesus is Peace fulfilled.

Oh, there are plenty of worldly ways and books to meditate on CALM and find your Peace (that's what you'll find in a search of CALM & Peace) but might I strongly suggest that the best Way is JESUS and the best book is the BIBLE, because the Prince of Peace, would not have had to come into this world or ours and leave this world were it not true, with His closing words to His disciples:

"Peace I leave WITH you, my Peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled

and do not be afraid." ...

John 14:27

Reading these words 

again and again

I find 

CALM

and His reassuring words

 certainly bring me

His Peace.

I'm not sure if I achieved the purpose 

in this blog post

but I do hope and pray

you seek the

Prince of Peace

and

find CALM in His Peace.

🙏

Pray for PEACE!

Ukraine

the Middle East

the USA

our world - everywhere

our homes, our lives

our minds, our hearts

<>

Come

Prince of Peace

Come

and aMaze us!

💙

May your "Silent Night" be a "Holy Night"

filled with Peace, Love, Joy & Hope

wherever & whenever

you find that

CALM

in

the

Prince of Peace

🕊

King Jesus Christ, our Lord

🎄

However, if you're still

"Missing Peace"

You Version has a 7 day plan

by that title that might help you

and the 3 day one

"The Words of Advent: PEACE"

{the FOCUS: December One Words will republish Sunday evening at 6 pm with WAIT & JESUS as our final two One Words for 2024; JESUS will be the One Word for CHRISTMAS Day and all the days after} 

CALM ... in His Love

"With His Love

He will

CALM

you"

Zephaniah 3:17

{I moved the Verse Image for this to below}

<>

When I cannot sleep

(which is too often)

I literally plead with God

to help me sleep

and then

I fell upon this verse

that I'm sure I've read many times

but make it into my

"Breath Prayer"

[remember that book by Jennifer Tucker]

at least that's how I found out about this practice of taking & turning scripture verses

into "breath prayers" of

Inhale & Exhale

Helps

a whole lot

<>

2024

is quickly coming to a close

and I have so much still

to learn about my

One Word

CALM

and

I am still finding more books

with

CALM

and

not enough time to read or finish 

yet

like other "One Words" you never 

really finish with them 

however

you don't have to

nor do you have to continue with them

as your FOCUS for the

next year.

They just continue with you

as you progress

forward

with

the new year

and a

new One Word

<>

For today

I just want to share two more books

that I've added to my

CALM

books

[one as a sample for now & the other in my 

Kindle Unlimited trial period]

"CALM Your Anxious Mind" 

by Carrie Marrs

{similar title to one of the last books I shared}

"Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart"

and the other one:

"A Deeper Kind of CALM"

by Linda Dillow

[she's written another one also on this]

"CALM my Anxious Heart"

but I chose the first one I listed for now

Since both of these are new authors for me,

and one was highly recommended 

with another book on another topic 

that I tucked away for now; 

I will have to adjust & read slowly

to gather as much as I can

about being

CALM

in my mind & in my heart

so much easier said (written) than done

Trust me, even after this full year

I've just skimmed the surface

with much work to acquire this

CALM

along with the Peace it brings

<>

Here's a very

Powerful truth taken right away

from the first devotion of the first book

"CALM Your Anxious Mind" 

... (God) "He can ground you. He can bring powerful truths to mind, CALM your breathing, send helpers."...

"God, help me sense Your Presence right now."

<><>

[image credit: You Version images]

 And then the second devotion is for Zephaniah 3:17 (the verse image in the beginning of this blog post) and the one that became my "breath prayer".The title of this devotion is: "His Heart's Wrapped Up with Yours" ... yes 🙌🏼 and "with His love, He CALMS me" ... quiets me ... wraps me securely.

At this point in my life, I can only imagine the wonder and awe of such all-encompassing Love that subdues all fears and insecurities that "wraps me" - "wraps my heart with His" but He does & He has, ever since the very beginning and every so often, I can pause and recall that first love, that first moment, with such complete awe that it actually does/did take my breath away and every time that I spend special moments with Him again and again, I am enthralled that His divine Love has remained all these years - steadfast, faithful and so powerful that "nothing can separate us" (Romans 8:38-39; 35) that closeness - do you sense the awesomeness of such closeness? entwining His heart with yours.

 If you breathe this verse as your prayer, often enough, I believe you, like I, can find the CALM in His Love. For God is love.

And in Him, hold your breath - now let it out, because He loves you; rest in the CALM and sense His Peace enveloping you; and all your thoughts, all your restlessness from all you face, let it go - yes, release & let it out and find your place in Him; totally wrapped - like that 'babe in the manger', wrapped in swaddling clothes - God with us, Immanuel - who came to us, wrapped Himself, His Godly self, in human flesh, out of Love. Divine love. That can take a heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh that loves & He CALMS our hearts with His as we surrender and invite Him IN (just like the INN, we need to make room for Him!) JESUS Christ, who we celebrate this season for this very reason. Love came down, so that we might love in return and show love to one another - just like Him. 

This Christmas (a week from now) invite Him in(n)! {long ago, I wrote a blog post on Room in the Inn, La Posada, it's probably one that I drafted}

You still have time to prepare Him room, but He'll come and love you just as you are, because He's waiting and wanting you to come and wrap your heart with His forever, by just believing & receiving all Jesus came to earth for ... to redeem each of us. It's one grand gift that you cannot afford not to open this year! This is my continual prayer for you and all your loved ones to receive Jesus Christ, Son of God, son of man, who died so you might all live eternally with God. His Presence is the best present you can ever receive! Open your heart to His. Unwrap this once and be wrapped forever in His Love that keeps giving and giving! Wrap ourselves in Hope, Joy, Peace and Love - HIS - redeeming Love that brings Him through us to one another and restores the CALM in us and around us. 

<>

Post note: I realized now after this published that I should have written a blog post each week during Advent, similar to this one and one coming on each of the Advent themes, since LOVE is one of the four; along with Hope & Joy (not done) but getting ready to do one for Peace. Who knows I may be inspired enough to go back and stick the two I missed into the previous blog posts? or just add them in between CHRISTmas Day & the New Year, as we close 2024.

CALM and Clear Moments

I have more work (and that includes reading) to still do with CALM (my 2024 One Word) besides finishing the ones I've shared like "Jesus, CALM My Heart" and last week's "Less FRET, More Faith". I finally decided to read another Max Lucado book, after reading the sample at You Version of "CALM Moments for Anxious Days". It looks as though Max Lucado has much to share concerning CALMing our "anxieties" with his wisdom & warmth. I should have started this one much sooner in 2024, because there's 90 devotions, and there's no longer that many days left in 2024. 

I also gave in to starting another one "Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart" by Lysa TerKeurst & P31, which I kept thinking was Calm Mind so I couldn't find it at first. When I did, I wondered if a "calm mind" is the same as a "clear mind". Then I began reading, deciding that in order to have a calm mind, it probably would help to have a clear mind, and definitely a peaceful heart will bring more calm to anyone, even me. 

My problem is with deciding which book to share here because both are filled with reassuring words of encouragement, wisdom and scriptural verses to calm ones' heart, mind and life. Lysa's book shares 50 devotions so that's less than 90 by Max and do-able still in 2024. Both of these are favorites of mine as authors, perhaps that means I try reading them both - God knows I need the prayers, scriptures and their wise words to find more CALM in my life. In fact, the devotion I just read was medicine to my soul "What If Sleep Could Be Seen as Worship?" (by Susan McIlmoil in Lysa's book). Yes. Yes, I needed this. More sleep. More worship. More CALM. That makes "Less Fret.." which will increase my faith and add CALM moments during my days and nights. Just a little more time to worship & sleep, the combination designed by our Creator for us. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who's seeking more CALM in the chaos of this world. 

[image credit:*Jesus Always]

As we begin the "holiday" season, some of us look forward, some of us dread and some of us have a mix of both and yet in the preparation, and the anticipation of family get-togethers or times with friends, there may be a need for more CALM as we gather and prepare so I believe many could use some more prayer in all the details for PEACE, JOY, HOPE and LOVE - perhaps this is why the Advent themes center on this as we prepare (Advent 2024 already begins this upcoming SONday, December 1st). 

Both of the aforementioned books have PRAYERS after each devotion or day. Of course, as usual, this is my favorite part of my devotional time and in Max Lucado's book, he has a daily set-up, which is one that I thoroughly find to fit my need and time frame available. He starts out in "CALM Moments ..." with a key scripture and his wonderful way of writing a brief calming devotion with his normal wit and charm, intertwined with scriptures when appropriate but ends the devotion with a "boxed" section of Max's unique summary in a couple of statements, followed by "My Scripture of Hope" (room for your responses after each); "My Anxious Thoughts to Release"; and finally "God's Promise to Me", where he keenly breaks the Word into a special promise from God to us. Here is an example of his "boxed" section:

"Worries empower little problems and encourage them to cast big shadows over our lives. In the darkness, we struggle to see the light of God's faithfulness. We forget that He is writing our story. When worry tries to snatch the pen and write itself across your life, remember this: ...  "

which leads us into 
"My Scripture of Hope"
in this case being Psalm 37:23-24 NLT
{oh and after "God's Promise..." we are suppose to write the "Prayer"}
I'll borrow the "Prayer" from the devotion noted above in Lysa's book on
"sleep" and "worship"
not because they go together, just so you can catch a glimpse

"Father, You say I am Your beloved & You give me sleep. Help me to believe this truth tonight so I may rest my weary mind and heart. Hold my worries and give me the strength to leave them in Your arms even as I wake. In Jesus' name."

This is why I need both of these books at the same time.
One uniquely writes and gives me "God's Promise..."
and the other team of P31 uniquely
writes from the heart & closes with a beautiful PRAYER.
<>
In the opening "letter from Lysa" after sharing
John 16:33
Lysa writes: 
"... I pray the worries that usually rush to your mind are
CALMED
and the fears that usually flood your heart are soothed.
And with a clear mind and a peaceful heart,
sweet dreams will be yours"
<>
This is my prayer for you also
as we finish 2024
with our
THANKS GIVING
and
ADVENT
then
culminating in
CHRIST mas
may the
PEACE
and 
CALM
of
Jesus Christ
fill your hearts and homes
with love
blessings
always
💙

I hoped that I might have something profound to share from my readings so far but the best that I have is suggestions for all of us to"stay CALM"no matter what we're facing whether it's chaos, or a blessed season just like theSerenity Prayeraccept the things you cannot change and focus on that which is in your control;but rely on the fact that it's all in God's controlrefocus any negative into positive"think on these things"Philippians 4:8pay attention to otherswith random acts of kindnessor words of encouragement;but concentrate on one thing at a time;accept offers of help and lower your expectations;take care of your physical and mental health;enjoy nature and reflect on God & His Word!
May God grant us the Serenity and Couragewith the Wisdom to know the differenceto Live one day at a time;enjoying one momentat a timeTrusting as we daily surrender to His Will
Be well and stay well!
May it be well with our souls
and 
May we find CALM and Clear Moments
in the Peace of Jesus Christ
now & forever
🙏

[image credit:*Jesus Calling]
*I daily receive emails from Jesus Calling with images & snippets from all of the books by Sarah Young, which I file and save, for such a time as this.

FOCUS: November ONE WORDS

For the month of NOVEMBER, these are the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

EXPECT

the week of November 3

CREATE

the week of November 10

PURPOSE

the week of November 17

INTENTIONALITY

the week of November 24

Please SCROLL  way down for this last week's

ONE WORD

for this week

<>

although the main One Word Focus for all month is

GRATITUDE

actually - for every day

So here's another 30 day reading plan that I started for November
PAUSE: GRATITUDE
{which completes the PAUSE series of plans: PRAYER, PEACE & JOY}
I've enjoyed & been blessed by each one!

[image credit: Jesus Calling]

{I stuck this into this blog post, just in case}

I really can't believe 

NOVEMBER

is almost over

and

ADVENT

starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving

December 1

<><><>

This 1st week's

EXPECT

"There's a big difference between EXPECTation and comprehension ..."

CCR's opening statement continues this thought ...

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27 NLT

Proverbs 10:20 ESV; 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV; Ephesians 3:20 ESV; Matthew 17:20 ESV

Taking Inventoryp. 170
<>
plenty of verses that contain both of these wordsthere are more verses for "EXPECT" than "expectation"but both will work for our verses and others withEXPECT
There are more verses in the Old Testament (slightly) thanin the New Testament.
Psalms and Romans (Isaiah and Matthew) have the most verses.
💙
Hebrews 11:1 GWFaith assures us of things we EXPECT and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.
💙
What I hope & EXPECT this week,
will be the constant in my many prayers
God willing!
[image credit: Bible Hub]
<>
2nd week's

CREATE

the week of November 10

[credit image: Bible (dot com) YV]

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 1 Corinthians 3:10 ESV

Ephesians 2:10 ESV; Isaiah 64:8 NASB; Romans 22:6-8 ESV; 1 Timothy 4:14 ESV

Plenty of verses that contain the One WordCREATE or others words that derive from "create"

The very first verse that pops into my head is:
CREATE in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me ...

 I am sure that CCR has 

CREATED

a beautiful devotional

to stir up ones' flow to

CREATE

and much gratitude for our

CREATOR & HIS CREATION

(at least originally)

Reminder of: Taking Inventory

and share in the comments

<>
3rd week's

PURPOSE

[credit image: iBelieve (dot) com]

the week of November 17

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Psalm 138:8 ESV; Jeremiah 1:5 ESV; Revelation 4:11 ESV; Exodus 9:16 ESV

Reminder of: Taking Inventory

<>
4th week's
INTENTIONALITY

[image credit]
According to Rock Teaching Ministry

"‘Intentionality’ is the fact of being deliberate or purposive. Synonyms include considered, planned, prearranged, predetermined, and thought out in advance."

... basically "INTENTIONALITY" is not in the Biblebut other words from this One Word are,like INTENT, INTENTIONAL, etc.
[i.e. INTENTIONAL is contained in 23 verses]and over 200 with INTENT
so we just need to be mindful (& consistent) in thisONE WORD
looks like INTEND(might be what CCR is using from her Focus Tip)or perhapsINTENTIONSfrom CCR's prayer

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

[the image verses for devo, p.169]

James 5:12 ESV; Colossians 4:5 ESV; Jeremiah 10:23 ESV

Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV

[image credit: Bible.com (YV)]

Reminder: to do "Taking Inventory"
and 
enjoy a blessed
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
<>
Please share in comments each week.
What stood out to you or your favorite quote or verse(s) with the One Word?
or
just whatever comes to you from the devotional, or God
Thank you.
_________________________________________