This is more my thoughts and observations of conversations with people on the internet or the lack there of....

How each of us reacts or responds to a comment or conversation shows where we are in our walk in life. Whether believer or non believer it really doesn't matter.
I have tried several times to have a serious conversation with a few people about oils and there use in our everyday life. What is the difference between using the oils, like lets say , joy, for this example, instead of relying on the Holy Spirit and pressing into Him for our joy. The Word says , the joy  of the Lord is my strength. When you use the oil of joy, do you still get the strength of the Lord released into your life, or just a brief moment of joy when using the oil? Does the oil give you the same benefits as Holy Spirit ? Or is it just a short cut, to a moment of joy, instead of pressing into a relationship with the Lord for real joy that overflows into the lives of others and is lasting and gives you strength? For some reason, I can't get an answer from a few of the web-sites or blogs I have asked questions from. I am in no way being facetious, I truly want to know. So my observation from their last of response shows me a lack of maturity and a true response to the question. If you can't answer that simple of a question I wonder if the answer isn't there and they don't know. According to the Word of God, we are to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and when we do, as we mature in Christ we obtain fruit from that relationship. Which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. You can not obtain these from an oil for it to be lasting and imbedded into your life. You can not get love from an oil and love all people to your core just by putting oil on your head from a bottle that says love on it. So my next thought is, what spirit is really on that oil? Has the Holy Spirit anointed that oil with love? According to what Gods says true love or joy or peace comes into my being from abiding in Him. So, would someone please give me an answer, where do these oils fit in, when all I have to do is abide in Him. It also says this in John 15, if you abide in Me (Jesus) and I abide in you, you bear much fruit (fruit of the Spirit, love , joy, etc and more) if you don't you are cut off and cast into  the fire. Do you get abiding by using an oil? in place of pursuing the Lord. Do you get the fullness  of what He has by a drop of the oil of peace you put on your wrist before walking out the door. Where do you draw the line of reliance on a bottle instead of His presence in your life.?

 

Day 13

 

Wisdom of Peace: Remaining peaceful in stressful seasons

Peace is a good thing to have. Peace means: freedom from disturbance, quiet and tranquility, calm and restfulness. Harmony and order. We all need calmness and tranquility in our lives. But how do we obtain this calm?
Worldly religions like New Age, Buddhism, Hindu beliefs and the list can go on,  pride themselves in having obtained total peace, and can teach others how to obtain this peace as well. But what is real peace? A peace embedded within, anchoring us through the roughest of storms. Were do we get peace, and how can we walk out peace in our everyday lives?
Some try meditation or yoga, breathing, exercise, being content with what you have, not striving for more. There are sites on the internet guiding you to peace. The practices and ideas given are good to do just for living a balanced life. Like exercise, forgiving others who have wronged you, instead of seeking revenge, appreciate what you have, respect others and the environment around you, find joy in everyday living, be the change you wish to see in the world and one of my favorite ,have a positive outlook. Another suggestion was be at peace or be peaceful?!
All of these are of course a great way to live life, and each of us should practice and implement in our lives. But, these habits are obtained from inner peace. not necessarily a way to have peace a part of you. You can't forgive if you don't have peace. If you are in inner conflict and want revenge, it is hard to focus and forgive. Yes ,you can appreciate what you have, but in-less you have a peaceful mind you will always want the next new thing.
Peace is  not obtained over night. It takes a willful practice and prayer. One of the gifts Jesus left His disciples was peace. "Peace I leave with you" My peace I give you, not as the world gives...Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."  But before He gave them this directive,
He told them about the Helper: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things...". Peace is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Peace is an attribute, from a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Peace comes from saying no to fleshly passions and ways of living and walking by the Spirit and His anointing. Every time you say no to a reaction out of your flesh, you gain in the spirit. You overcome the flesh by saying no. It takes strength and time. A knowledge of the ways of the Spirit. But it is there for each of us.
Peace also comes from a knowing that God is in control of your life and you put your trust completely in Him. As long as you are pressing into Him and want Him at the center, He will guide you. Having Him first and trusting in Him takes relationship. This takes time. No relationship happens over night. But as you come to know Him, and His love and power for you, it is a secure place to be.
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus:  I need Your peace and even more I need You in my life. I want the fruit of the Spirit to be active in me. Help me to walk in peace in all areas of my life. Depending and trusting in You for guidance, wisdom and power to walk out my life in the fullness You have for me. I trust You and want to grow in wisdom, so that I can forgive, be at peace and content with the season you have me in. amen