One morning last week, I dragged myself out of bed, filled my coffee cup, and reluctantly hit my knees to start my time of prayer and praise. Honestly, I was a bit tired and had a million concerns on my heart—in other words, I felt worried.

I scrolled through the songs on my iPhone and played a recent download by Natalie Grant and the Belonging Company called, “Isn’t He (This Jesus).” I listened and focused my worship on praising Jesus Christ for His character traits. As I worshipped my worries lifted, and peace captured my heart. It’s really impossible to praise Jesus and worry at the same time, isn’t it? When I focus on His almighty nature, worries and fears seem to shrink and my faith in His goodness grows. I believe this is one of the reasons God invites us to worship Him in the first place. He is so captivating!

In light of that song, I decided that over the next few weeks I’d look at one aspect of Christ’s nature each Monday on my blog. Hopefully these short blog posts will encourage your heart and help you fall more deeply in love with Jesus.

The Prince of Peace is one of my favorite titles for Jesus. The prophet Isaiah first used this name for Jesus, writing, “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).  It seems we focus on this verse most often at Christmas time, but I know I need a Jesus who is my Prince of Peace all year long! What about you?

When I think of Jesus as the Prince of Peace, several pictures come to my mind:

I see Jesus calming the wind and waves with one rebuke(Mark 4:34-41). Jesus speaks, and instantly the sea becomes quiet and still. As the Prince of Peace, He can calm the storms in my heart with just a word. He is able to bring every tumultuous wave of worry to placid stillness.

I see Jesus sitting by himself quietly enjoying the Father’s presence. Though the disciples are putting pressure on Jesus to get moving, Jesus doesn’t over-explain or become defensive (Mark 1:35-39). He doesn’t get frantic or frazzled. He doesn’t allow the expectations of the disciples to drive His ministry. He simply says, “Let’s go somewhere else – to a nearby village – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”  I love this picture of Jesus because, honestly – just between you and me –sometimes the expectations of others make me feel a bit wiggy. But when I feel frantic or frazzled, I need to remember the Prince of Peace; He is ready and willing to remind me that I need to be driven by His voice alone. He is able to hush my anxiety with His presence as I do what He’s called me to do.

I see Jesus inviting His tired followers to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).Ah…doesn’t that sound nice. Quiet place. Rest. Just enjoying the Prince of Peace. Here’s the thing: sometimes we’re our own worst enemy, and we allow ourselves to become so busy that we live on a continual adrenaline rush. There sits Jesus inviting, not scolding, simply inviting, “Come, by yourself…get some rest.”

 Friend, may I encourage you? Spend a few moments focusing your thoughts on Jesus as your Prince of Peace. Allow His peace to rule in your heart. Praise and thank Him that peace is His plan for your life. The next time you feel frantic or frazzled, go for a walk and simply worship Him for being the Prince of Peace. Consider, “He’s my Prince of Peace – why am I worried?”

Where’s Becky?

Steve and I, our daughter Keri, and her family are in Bradford, England, visiting our team at the Millside Center. 

How you can Pray?

Pray that we can encourage our team while in England.

Pray as we travel with Keri and Zach and their 2 toddlers, that the kids will sleep on the plane and that the trip will be a time of encouragement for Keri and Zach.

Big News!

I’m SO excited! The new videos series for Who Do You Say That I Am?will be available August 7.  Click on the link and you’ll be able to view the promo for this Bible study series: http://bit.ly/wdystiaProm

Check out the video, and then would you be so kind as to help me get the word out?  Thanks much!!

If you lead a Bible study, hop on over to http://bit.ly/WDYSTIAbook to buy the book and the DVD series.Moody has priced this so well that any church or small group can afford the series!~