Title: A Pattern of Peace/ Topic: Inner Peace

Today's Reading: Colossians 1; Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation: This is the third day in a row that my devotional reading has mentioned having peace within ourselves. There is a pattern I have noticed. Peace is always linked with an attitude of gratitude and with obedience. Peace is to rule in my heart. For that to happen I must let it rule as verse 15 says. It is my choice. I do this by letting the Word of Christ dwell in me and by receiving teaching and admonition from others (obedience). Obedience is inferred again in the last verse when it mentions that I must do all things in a way that honors the name of the Lord. Gratitude and thankfulness are mentioned three times in these three verses. Peace, gratitude and obedience walk together like a three-strand cord that cannot be broken.

Application: To have inner peace (something so precious that people all over search for it in various ways) I must choose to obey God and cultivate a thankful heart. Thankfulness is the soil in which peace grows and obedience waters the plant of peace. Both must be present for me to abide in peace and for peace to abide in me.

Prayer: Father, your Word is so practical. You tell us exactly what we need to know in order to have all the things we need most, and you repeat the lessons often so that we will have constant reminders of how to maintain and grow in all good things. I choose peace. Help me to grow in gratitude and obedience so that my peace flows like a river.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.