Dear Champions,

Today as I was studying the Word of God, 2 Thessalonians 3:16 really stood out to me, and I felt led to share it with you!

2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.”

This scripture really blessed me as I began to think about all that I have been standing against in the last week, and I realized that in the middle of my stand, this scripture is true. Jesus has given us His peace, and that peace is available for us at all times and in all ways.

With every blow that the enemy shoots our way, he is after our peace and our trust in God. If he can get us out of peace, then he can begin to work in our soul and create a storm within our mind. 

The word peace in Hebrew is shalom. The definition of shalom is completeness, safety, soundness in body, welfare, health and prosperity. So, the Lord is saying that at all times we can be complete, in safety, sound in body, welfare, and prosperity because He has already given it to us. In addition, this peace can come to you in many ways (in all ways), and this peace can be yours no matter what is going on. 

You may say, “that’s great, Pastor Candace, but I do not feel any peace in my life!”  

I get it. I totally understand. I have been there also, and there are times in our lives that we seem to be void of peace - when the storms of the enemy are coming on one wave after another, when it seems like we take two steps forward only to find ourselves taking one step back. Ugh!

So, what do we do? The Word said we have peace “at all times and in all ways”, but we may not be feeling that at all! What do we do? We go to the Word of God. When we do not feel the peace of God in our lives, God gives us a roadmap of what to do. That roadmap is found in Psalm 34:14: turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.  

Step 1: Turn away from evil. That means to turn away from the doubt and unbelief that is removing us from the truth of God’s word. The truth is that Jesus has given us His peace. 

Step 2: Do good. Decide to follow the Word of God no matter what you see, feel, or hear, and  encourage others to do the same.

Step 3: Seek peace. Be looking for peace with a fierce determination until you obtain it.

Step 4: Pursue it. Go after peace at all costs. This is like a hunter pursuing his prey. 

These four steps will bring forth God’s peace in our lives. Yes, it does take determination to do it, but God has equipped us and given it to us! So therefore, we believe it and we receive it!

I pray for you all today, that the peace that Jesus has provided for you will be upon you, in your home, and in your family as you go throughout your day. I pray that you will continue to seek and pursue that peace in all you do!

-Pastor Candace