Embracing True Peace: From Chaos to Reconciliation

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Gives Us a Unique, Lasting Peace

Jesus offers a peace that is not dependent on our circumstances or surroundings, but is a gift of mind and heart through the Holy Spirit. This peace is different from what the world gives; it calms our thoughts and emotions even when life feels chaotic or uncertain. When you feel overwhelmed or anxious, remember that Jesus has promised you a peace that cannot be taken away by the storms around you. Receive this gift today, trusting that His Spirit is present to comfort and steady you no matter what you face. [08:10]

John 14:26-27 (ESV)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Reflection: Where in your life do you most need to receive Jesus’ peace today, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to calm your mind and heart in that area?

Day 2: Peace in the Storms of Life

Even when chaos surrounds us and fear threatens to take over, Jesus is present and able to bring calm to our storms. The disciples panicked in the boat during a violent storm, but Jesus, undisturbed, spoke peace and brought great calm. In moments when it feels like God is silent or distant, remember that He is with you and has authority over every storm. Trust Him to speak “Peace, be still” over your anxieties and fears, and let His presence anchor you in the midst of trouble. [12:40]

Mark 4:37-40 (ESV)
"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?' And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, 'Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?'"

Reflection: What storm in your life feels overwhelming right now, and how can you trust Jesus to bring His peace into that situation?

Day 3: Peacemakers Reflect God’s Heart

True peacemakers do more than avoid conflict; they actively pursue reconciliation and wholeness, even when it means having hard conversations or making difficult choices. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers, and promises that those who do so will be called children of God. This means stepping out in faith to address what is broken, seeking God’s wisdom and courage to bring real peace into our relationships and communities. [17:30]

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Reflection: Is there a relationship or situation where God is calling you to be a peacemaker rather than a peacekeeper, and what is one step you can take toward true reconciliation today?

Day 4: Jesus Breaks Down Barriers and Unites Us

Through His sacrifice, Jesus has destroyed the walls of division and prejudice, making peace possible between people who were once enemies. In Christ, all are reconciled and made one, regardless of background or history. This unity is God’s heart for the world, and as followers of Jesus, we are called to participate in His work of reconciliation—praying, interceding, and building bridges where there has been separation. [22:10]

Ephesians 2:14-18 (ESV)
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father."

Reflection: Who in your life or community do you find it difficult to be united with, and how can you pray for and pursue reconciliation as Christ has done for you?

Day 5: Passing Peace to the Next Generation

The peace we receive from God is not just for ourselves, but is meant to be passed on to our children and to future generations. As we walk closely with the Lord and model trust in Him, our children learn to do the same, building a legacy of faith and peace that can outlast us. Consider how your daily choices and prayers can lay a foundation of peace for those who come after you, shaping their lives and futures in ways you may never fully see. [35:47]

Psalm 78:4, 6-7 (ESV)
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done... that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally share God’s peace and faithfulness with the next generation—your children, grandchildren, or young people in your community—this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to honor and celebrate the women in our lives—mothers, aunts, friends, and all who nurture and shape us. I was joined by my dear friend Leslie Bond, a missionary in Hungary, for a heartfelt conversation about peace, both in our personal lives and in the world. Our discussion was rooted in the promise Jesus gave in John 14: that He leaves us with a gift the world cannot give—peace of mind and heart. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances, but is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, available to us even in the midst of life’s storms.

We reflected on the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4, where His peace was undisturbed by chaos, and He invited His disciples to trust rather than fear. This led us to consider the difference between being a peacekeeper and a peacemaker. While a peacekeeper avoids conflict to maintain a superficial calm, a peacemaker actively pursues true reconciliation, even when it requires hard conversations and courageous choices. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, not just in our homes but in our communities and the world.

Leslie shared her journey of moving her family across the world to Hungary, trusting God’s peace in the face of uncertainty. She spoke about the ongoing process of fighting for peace—how it requires continual renewal, discernment, and sometimes saying no to things that steal our peace. We also discussed the broader vision of peace among nations, especially in places with deep historical divisions. Ephesians 2 reminds us that Jesus Himself is our peace, breaking down walls of prejudice and reconciling us into one new humanity.

We touched on the importance of prayer as the pathway to peace, especially in spiritually dry places like post-Christian Europe. Leslie and her husband are working to bring reconciliation and revival through persistent prayer and intercession. As mothers, we recognized the unique need for peace in parenting, and the gift of passing on a legacy of faith and trust in God to our children. Our hope is to build a foundation of peace that will bless generations to come.

Key Takeaways

1. True peace is a gift from Jesus, not dependent on our circumstances. The peace He offers is deeper than what the world can provide, bringing calm to both our minds and hearts even when life feels chaotic. We are invited to receive this peace daily, trusting that God is present in every storm. [07:12]
2. There is a profound difference between being a peacekeeper and a peacemaker. Peacekeepers may avoid conflict to maintain a fragile calm, but peacemakers are willing to engage in difficult conversations and actions to bring about genuine reconciliation and wholeness. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, reflecting His heart for true unity. [15:44]
3. The process of living in peace is ongoing and requires intentionality. We must continually discern what steals our peace and be willing to say no to those things, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew us. Peace is not a one-time achievement but a fruit that grows as we walk closely with God. [18:50]
4. Jesus’ work on the cross broke down every wall of division, making peace possible between individuals, families, and even nations. In Christ, ethnic hatred and prejudice are dissolved, and we are invited into a new humanity marked by reconciliation and unity. This is God’s heart for the world, and we are called to participate in it. [22:10]
5. Prayer is the essential pathway to peace, especially in places of spiritual dryness or division. Persistent intercession prepares the ground for God’s work, and the prayers we offer today can have an impact for generations. As we pray for our families, communities, and nations, we partner with God in bringing His peace to the world. [27:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Honoring Women and Mothers
[03:00] - Friendship and Family Stories
[04:34] - Cross-Cultural Connections
[06:20] - Introducing the Theme of Peace
[07:12] - Jesus’ Promise of Peace
[09:45] - Peace in the Storm: Mark 4
[12:30] - Personal Stories of Trusting God
[15:44] - Peacekeeper vs. Peacemaker
[18:50] - The Ongoing Journey of Peace
[21:09] - God’s Heart for Reconciliation
[22:10] - Ephesians 2: Breaking Down Walls
[24:30] - The Power of Prayer in Europe
[27:58] - Persistent Intercession and Revival
[30:22] - Motherhood and Passing on Peace
[33:26] - Building a Legacy of Faith
[35:47] - Investing in the Next Generation
[37:00] - Closing and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 14:26-27 — “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

- Mark 4:35-41
(Jesus calms the storm: Jesus is asleep in the boat during a storm, the disciples panic, and Jesus calms the wind and waves, asking, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”)

- Ephesians 2:13-18
(Jesus is our peace, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility, making one new humanity, and reconciling us to God and each other.)

Observation Questions

In John 14, what kind of peace does Jesus say He gives, and how is it different from the peace the world offers?
When the storm hit in Mark 4, what was Jesus doing, and how did the disciples react? What did Jesus say to them after calming the storm?
According to Ephesians 2, what did Jesus accomplish through His death on the cross regarding division and peace?
In the sermon, what is the difference described between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker? [15:44]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus’ peace is described as a “gift the world cannot give”? What does that mean for us when we face difficult circumstances? [07:12]
The disciples were afraid during the storm even though Jesus was with them. What does this reveal about trust and faith in the middle of chaos? [09:45]
The sermon talks about peacemakers being willing to have hard conversations and pursue real reconciliation. Why might this be more challenging than just keeping the peace? [15:44]
Ephesians 2 says Jesus broke down walls of prejudice and made one new humanity. What are some “walls” that still exist today, and what does it look like for the church to participate in breaking them down? [22:10]

Application Questions

Think about a current “storm” in your life. What would it look like to invite Jesus’ peace into that situation, even if your circumstances don’t change? [07:12]
Are there areas in your life where you tend to be a peacekeeper—avoiding conflict to keep things calm? What would it look like to step into being a peacemaker instead, even if it’s uncomfortable? [15:44]
Leslie shared about saying “no” to things that steal her peace. What is one thing you need to say “no” to this week in order to protect your peace? [18:50]
The sermon mentioned that prayer is the pathway to peace, especially in spiritually dry or divided places. How can you make prayer a more regular part of your life, especially for your family or community? [27:58]
In what ways can you help break down walls of division—whether in your family, church, or community? Is there a relationship where God might be calling you to pursue reconciliation? [22:10]
For parents: What does it mean to pass on a legacy of peace and faith to your children? What is one practical way you can model trust in God for them this week? [33:26]
The sermon talked about the long-term impact of our prayers and actions, even for generations to come. How does this perspective change the way you think about your daily choices and spiritual habits? [35:47]

Sermon Clips

His peace wasn't disturbed by the circumstances the disciples are frantically they wake him up thinking they're all going to die and he rebukes the wind peace be still what storm is raging around you does it feel like Jesus is asleep I've had times where I'm like where are you what is happening what is going on and I think today the Lord wants to stretch out his hand and say peace to our storms and he wants us to have that peace of mind and heart and that's my prayer for us today as we go into this further discussion. [00:10:49] (52 seconds) Edit Clip

Prayer is the pathway to peace, and you have to come in with the prayer first. You have to come in and spiritually break up that ground, and, and, and then you can start to, to see what God's going to do with that, and like the revival that can come from that, and, and I just, you guys are working so hard over there. [00:28:17] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

You're pressing in, you're continuing the work, and, you know, it's slow when you're breaking up ground that, you know, it's slow, but God is faithful, and he has the long view in mind. He has the long view. Like, prayers that you're praying now will affect 100 years from now, and, yeah. [00:29:57] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

And that peace that we get to pass from generation to generation also. That confidence, that firm foundation.And yes, I'm excited to see my kids go way farther than we ever could. Because, you know, I'm getting old. I'm not old. We're not old, Leslie. All right. So I have loved this conversation so much. [00:36:17] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

So, Leslie, you and Norby have a call to intercession, particularly, and to bring reconciliation and breakthrough in the nations of Europe, and that's huge. So, how have you seen God move in this area, and what is his heart in Europe? [00:24:14] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

And I feel like the most important thing, when I look at your family, is your closeness to the Lord, and how your kids have seen you and Norby just go all in with him, and follow, and that's what they know, and that's what they're going to do. Like, yeah, you've done a good job, really, really good job. It's so exciting. [00:33:45] (32 seconds) Edit Clip

And yes, I'm excited to see my kids go way farther than we ever could. Because, you know, I'm getting old. I'm not old. We're not old, Leslie. All right. So I have loved this conversation so much. [00:36:25] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

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