Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God. Enjoy this weekly message from our Children’s Church leader. Children’s church meets upstairs every Sunday at 10AM. You can drop your children at 9:45. Youth also meet upstairs after worship in the sanctuary.

How was your journey this week? Have you had a good walk without any stumbles or conflicts this week? Was it a week of peace, or were you met with challenges that created frustration, anger, or hostility?

One minute we can encounter a peaceful walk on our journey, but then, with one spoken word, action, or gesture, that journey becomes a difficult one that can snowball into an uncontrollable fall, bringing out fear, anxiety, unrest, and even an uncomfortable walk, like a stone in the sandal. Just as mourning can turn to dancing, so can peace turn to conflict in the blink of an eye. Like a thief in the night, our peace can be taken away.

When we come face to face with trials and tribulations, we are called to consider it joy because it is a test of our faith and produces perseverance (James 1:2); however, it does not mean we do not turn to the Lord and call to Him and ask for peace, for the valley can become very dark without His peace. There is an inner peace that comes from trusting God, a peace with God through the faith of Christ Jesus, and a peace with others, which we are encouraged to be peacemakers. In the heat of things, it can be difficult to be the peacemaker, and therefore we must call upon the Peacemaker.

When faced with a conflict, we must seek the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). In this same chapter of Philippians, we are called to rejoice in the Lord always and not be anxious about anything, but pray and present our requests to God. As the word says, rejoice and praise God when you pray, for He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast and trust in the Lord (Isaiah 26:3). This is how we receive inner peace. Once we receive inner peace, we can then become peacemakers.

We have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). When we build our foundation upon the Rock, we build a relationship with God who brings us peace. When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, he said this, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives you…” (John 14:27). The world gives you nothing for the world is filled with false hope and lies from the enemy but Christ gives you peace, and not just peace but his peace, that is the Father’s peace beyond all understanding, because Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Through the peace of the Holy Spirit we can be peacemakers.

We are called to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18), but this cannot be done if we do not first have peace with God and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). As believers in Christ, we must seek peace and promote harmony in all relationships, and it begins by humbling ourselves and finding peace with God. Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). We are peacemakers, and we must call on God to receive such rich and everlasting peace.

When you are faced with conflict and hardships, you must seek the peace of God and trust Him, for He brings you through the darkest valleys of your journey and will lead you to quiet waters and refresh your soul (Psalm 23).  I leave you with this priestly blessing, “The Lord will bless you and keep you; He will shine his face on you and be gracious to you; He will turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). Seek God and find the calmness of peace.

Last week, the little lambs did not meet for class; therefore, this week we will explore the lesson on Job, as the lambs investigate and answer why bad things happen to good people and learn how God uses hardships and difficult times in our lives for good.

I look forward to worshipping the Lord Almighty alongside you with songs of praise and dancing before the one who is righteous and sovereign. If for whatever reason I do not see you, may the Lord bless you with joy, peace, and kindness, and may He protect you, heal you, comfort you, and shine His light upon you, so that you may see the path of your journey.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)