Grace & Peace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


This greeting of Paul to the ancient church at Thessalonica is like medicine to our modern world. With increasing terrorist attacks – the most recent attempt to bomb the Christmas Tree lighting in Portland – and the continuing government policy of appeasement towards radical Islam, leaves many who are threatened to lose their inner peace.

Terrorism has its targets and these are nearly always innocent people. But behind this campaign of terror lies another sinister goal - to cause intimidation, fear and loss of peace.

Of course, believers in Christ have many promises of God to hold onto:

Psalms 91:1-2 – “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Great verses, great advice! Take it like medicine for your soul. God will never fail his people and will always care, protect and uphold us during times of stress and trouble.

But behind these promises lie the even greater revelation - the miracle of God's grace. It's his grace that saves us, keeps us, provides for our every need and, in the end, it's God's grace that will lead us home.

Let the nations roar, let the unrighteous gloat over their reign of terror, but the Lord is in his heavens and his kingdom will be seen. Let that knowledge settle in your spirit and bring the only kind of peace that will last in these days - the peace of God.