In the Scriptures, God makes available words of power that show us how to have peace and rest in our lives. One of the ways we can cultivate that peace is by having our home be a haven of peace and rest.
A peaceful home provides an environment which helps us live the Word even in the midst of the “hustle and bustle” of the world around us. The pressures of “fast-lane” living can end at our doorsteps so that our homes are a place of refuge and comfort for our families and for God’s people.
At times after Jesus Christ had walked among the busy, crowded streets of Jerusalem teaching and healing people, he would spend the evenings at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany in the peaceful environment of their home.
How do we make our homes these peaceful havens? Whether we live in a dwelling with our immediate family, our extended family, like-minded believers, college roommates, or by ourselves, the Word of God gives us keys for having the peace of God in our dwellings.
Each of us can allow the peace, which God has given us in Christ, to rule in our hearts. Keeping God’s Word in our thoughts and staying thankful are powerful ways to help us do that.
Colossians 3:15-17:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
As we let God’s Word dwell in us and manifest it toward one another and allow the peace of God to rule in our hearts, it can also permeate our physical dwellings.
Praying with thanksgiving keeps anxiety and confusion out of our hearts and minds and therefore out of our homes.
Philippians 4:6,7: Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We can establish a habit of praying together in the morning, at meals, throughout the day, at night. If anxiety or discouragement tries to creep in, we stop, let our requests be made known unto God, and then keep moving ahead peacefully knowing He hears us and will take care of us.
Seeking to edify one another makes for peace. The qualities listed here from Colossians 3 are great ways to edify and build up those with whom we live.
Colossians 3:12-14:
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity [the love of God], which is the bond of perfectness.
And the Word tells us to follow after the things which make for peace.
Romans 14:19:
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Arranging our homes in a clean, orderly, and pleasant manner can physically keep confusion out and keep godly peace in our dwellings.
I Corinthians 14:33,40:
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Soothing background music, such as this selection from the piano solos on the Peaceful Reflections CD, can contribute to the restfulness and quietness of our dwellings.
Please enjoy this Biblically inspired song, “God’s Peace,”
produced by The Way International by clicking below:
As we enjoy the holidays together, let us keep God first in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let us be thankful, giving everything to God in prayer, and actively pursuing after those things which edify one another. With all this we can make the dwellings in which we reside orderly and peaceful havens for ourselves and for all those who enter.
I Samuel 25:6:
And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
Psalms 122:7-9:
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
Isaiah 32:17,18:
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
II Corinthians 13:11:
...Be perfect [be strengthened], be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
