Walking in the Shoes of Peace Ephesians 6:15 10:30am
Walking in the Shoes of Peace
BE STRONG Series
Ephesians 6:15
Ephesians 6:15 (NLT): For shoes, put on the peace from the Good News to be fully prepared.
In a world searching for peace, where nations yearn for safety and families ache for security, the call to put on the shoes of peace echoes through the ages. The current landscape, marred by conflicts in places like Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine, unveils the stark reality that many innocent lives are disrupted, homes are shattered, and the fabric of peace is torn asunder. It prompts us to reflect on the fragility of the tranquility we often take for granted.
Yet, in Ecclesiastes' timeless wisdom, the Scriptures remind us that there will be times of war and peace. The peace mentioned here is not the absence of conflict on a geopolitical scale; instead, it is the profound and unwavering peace that stems from the Good News of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the forgiveness of sins, the promise of eternal life, the divine nature we are clothed in, and the continuous experience of God's favor and grace. It is a peace that transcends circumstances and is accessible to believers at all times and places.
To put on this peace is knowing the Good News intimately and standing firm in its promises, even when the world may suggest otherwise. Philippians 4:6-9 provides a roadmap for embracing this transformative peace:
Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT): 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, correct, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice everything you learned and received from me—everything you heard and saw me doing. Then, the God of peace will be with you.
In these verses, we find the practical steps to envelop ourselves in the peace that surpasses understanding. By replacing worry with prayer, expressing gratitude, and fixing our thoughts on the virtues that align with God's nature, we are not merely spectators to peace but active participants in its embodiment. In standing in the principles of the Good News, we truly put on the shoes of peace, ensuring that we are prepared for life's challenges and bearers of the peace that emanates from the Gospel of Christ.
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Praise Tabernacle
Joshua Kennedy, Pastor
2235 Ocean Heights
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
pastorjosh@praisetabernacle.com
(609) 927-4560(w), (609) 402-8869(c)