Author: Renew Your Peace

God’s creation is beautiful. Each person has a role in doing good works encouraging others with positive words, visiting those who are in need. God’s plan for your life is good.

Do you ever wonder what is God’s plan for your life? The answer to this question is not simple but it is like hiking up a mountain, to see your capability of your journey with God. God’s plan is a beautiful puzzle, therefore renew your peace in him. God’s plans are good plans for your life.

The Covid-19 pandemic is like an intense war in the region. War affects many in a psychological way bringing post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and fears.

We are in a world in need of comfort and hope as many people need words of healing in the midst of this current darkness.

Jesus shared a story of 10 virgins waiting for the bridegroom, 5 of them were not ready and the other 5 were ready as they had enough oil to fill their lamps all night long. The oil representing being ready, refers to power from God which brings healing, hope and comfort.

As we walk along through life we will bring this light into the brokenness of the hearts of people around us, bringing healing, hope and comfort to those who sit in darkness.

King Solomon only prayed for wisdom, not for wealth and fame. In our era we face challenges upon this earth psychologically and economically. We need our society to seek for wisdom in our present time. Many people are asking for clarity in their path in their careers of life and the secular practical world. Science is important but the source of all wisdom is God who can give us clear direction for our path. 

The wisdom of God can turn our path bright, as His wisdom makes our lives fruitful in this life. My prayer is that we will have His wisdom because all of us need His wisdom to be prosperous in Christ Jesus. Amen

1Ki 3:11-13 11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment: 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

God is without limits. He is faithful for a thousand generations; He opened the springs in the desert. He is working behind the scenes. God works with miracles. He intervenes. Trust that He is faithful.

I have found that when doors are blocked in our lives hope is needed to keep carrying us forward. Even if hardship is in the way we rejoice in it, as the closed doors help to strengthen us in works that are fruitful.

Revelation 3:7

He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

“Peace in midst of shaking” a title that has inspired my heart lately as we face the trials of life. We are all in need of God’s peace not the peace that human beings can give. Supernatural peace in the storms of life, as Covid-19 has infected the world and infected the economy of our lives. As the world is shaking, the only thing that will remain unshakable is our Prince of Peace. In Psychology we see that everyone at some time searches for a savior when life gets tough. Yes, Psychologists, counselors and doctors can help us to move on in life, but God is always our ultimate savior. Let us renew our peace in Him.

John 14:27: I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.

Bethlehem is the birth city of Christ and  He is our Emmanuel, The Lord with us.

Where I grew up in the Gaza  strip, we faced a lot of difficulty. It was  especially difficult being  a child and  seeing so many attacks and conflict, greater than my mind could think or explain.

It was in this time that I experienced the Lord as Emmanuel, God with me. The reality that He knows what will happen in every minute and in every second. The reality that He is our peace, and that every hair on our head truly is counted and He knows when it will fall.

He really does know what we face and what we will face. We are not alone in this life, Emmanuel the Lord is with us. Without a doubt, evil exists in this world! But He is sovereign, He is our Emmanuel. Because He is sovereign, God knows every detail before we ask Him our requests. He is God with us. Our Emmanuel.

In a sport center a first-year student asked a question” what is the most important thing to you in life? Answered, “ to honor my Lord and then to be honored.”

To honor the Lord is not only to worship the Lord and to pray to him but to honor the poor, to love your enemies if they are Arabs, Jews or people from any other cultural background. Christ said love your enemies. To have a smile, to say thank you. Yes, to fellow Christ, not to be religious but to show the character of Christ in your everyday actions. We have to be active and ready to do good things so people will be grateful and give glory to God when they see us.

All cultures play a part in honoring others. In the Palestinian culture, the Middle Eastern Arabs are the most hospitable, friendly people. Generous in giving even if the family is suffering. Being made to feel welcome is important to strangers, specifically in the Holy-Land. How many tourists have come and visited our homes in the past? When we give tea, coffee or a meal to others we honor the Lord in the simple things and this will renew the peace as we love and honor people. By doing these kind things we will show Christ’s love that is in our hearts for the different people groups.

1 Samuel 2:30 “for them that honor me I will honor”

Children are a blessing from God.

I met a child who was living in a refugee camp receiving humanitarian aid. We had chocolate to give away to the three hundred kids. A great time of blessing. We enjoyed our time playing with the kids and speaking with the families. One specific child I spoke to, told me he had lost his whole family in Iraq and then he said “I don’t have any friends, I am happy that you are now one of my best friends.” In short, the reason I wanted to share this story was this story impacted my heart and challenged me to think like a child again. To pray big prayers like a child and to love like a child. Yes, to be wise but not to lose this tender heart. Also that the Lord is reminding us to renew our peace.

Matthew 18:3 Then he said, “I tell you with certainty, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.”

Be grateful.

I know a volunteer in Jerusalem who is from abroad. Even though she is from a poor family, she is always grateful for the small things. She encourages others and is always thankful. Seeing this reminds me that life is short, so why not be thankful for what we have? People of all backgrounds have different thoughts about others, and about themselves. It is important to be happy and grateful in all situations, even through the complicated ones. This mindset will allow for obstacles in our lives to be straightened out. When we are thankful, our perspective changes, and we see life in a more positive way. Being thankful through difficult times creates a stronger personality in us. Studies show that being grateful brings joy and good health, in contrast with bitterness, which brings does not bring about a good or healthy life. Did you know that surrounding yourself with people who are thankful brings about an aspiring life for you? In spite of any circumstance, we should always thank the Lord for the food we eat, the bed we sleep on, and the job that we have. Thanking our Lord for all the things He provides us in life will bring us enormous joy. Remember to always thank God, at all times, and in all situations.

Renew your peace.

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ