(Note: Holy Spirit nudged me to interrupt the end of my Understanding Your Dreams series to post this. The series should resume tomorrow.)
“Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light…”
(Isa. 60:1-3, NKJV).
I am full of peace. The Coronavirus seems to be shaking the world. But, my dear friend, you and I are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
It’s not that is hasn’t affected my family. It has. Nationwide in Peru, all schools are closed. My oldest daughter flew to Lima last week to take the SAT. The test was canceled. Here’s what feels like the hardest thing, though: our president just announced that all travel is forbidden for at least the next two weeks. My princess is stuck in Lima, not allowed to come home to us.
I am full of peace.
I love what a missionary in China shared the other day: “No matter how wide this virus spreads, His wings spread wider.” That missionary is not allowed to leave his home. He is in the midst of the worst of it. However, his heart is overflowing with peace and joy. He knows he is safely tucked under the protective feathers of the Almighty.
As of today, here in Peru we have been told we won’t be permitted to leave our homes either (in spite of there only a few infections that have happened in the country, not one death, and ZERO infections here in our city of Iquitos).
I am full of peace.
We are in this world, but we are not of it. We are of Another Kingdom – the Kingdom that is above all else. In the Kingdom realm, there is no sickness or disease. The power of peace rules mightily. The Prince of Peace sits on the throne above everything transpiring on the earth, serenely and joyfully. In His presence is fullness of joy.
Think on this verse with me: “And the God of Peace will soon crush satan under your feet”(Rom. 16:20, ESV). Isn’t that interesting? We might expect it to say, “The Conquering King will soon crush satan…” Or, “The Almighty God will crush him…” Or, “The God of Angel Armies will…” Instead, for such a decisive expression of spiritual violence, Holy Spirit chose this title of His, “The God of Peace.” Why is this? Because peace… real peace, that is… God’s brand of peace… is raw power. When we live as sons and daughters of peace, this crushing power defeats the enemy. Every single time.
For this reason, every morning, soak in His closeness. More than any time in history before, this is critically important. Make this way more of a priority than catching the latest news. Immerse yourself in the presence of the Prince of Peace. Let His triumph rule on the inside of you. When you are full to overflowing with His shalom, then, and only then, face the day. If your morning window is not enough of an opportunity to fully quiet your soul, schedule a whole day with Him. Whatever you need to do to center yourself in His powerful, soothing joy, do it.
What an amazing opportunity this time is! This is our moment to Arise and Shine. His supernatural peace, my friend, is for you. It’s yours. As you shine with it, others will come to you, attracted by the brilliance of His serenity. His presence flowing out of you will be far more contagious than the virus of fear that is threatening souls around us. It will be far more sweeping. It will be unstoppably victorious.
So, dear one, Arise and Shine!
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river…” (Isa. 66:12, ESV).
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Is having real, transcendant peace in the midst of this current crisis attainable?
Feeding On Jesus 
Hallelujah; the mighty power of peace. I love that scripture particularly; Romans 16:20; And the God of Peace Shall shortly crush Satan under your feet.
God bless you for the post Jennifer.
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Thank you so much, Bro George!
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May His peace reign in us and pour out through us in the midst of these times.
Blessings to you Jennifer 😊💙.
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Thank you, beautiful friend. His rich blessings to you as well! ❤ 🙂 ❤
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Wonderfully encouraging because it is true! God is greater!!! Jennifer, in the last paragraph you mentioned what an opportunity is in front of us because of this crisis. It should not surprise you, based on the unity that Holy Spirit binds us together with, that my entry yesterday was titled, What an Opportunity!
Hoping I’m not being forward, but I have included the link to it here should any of your readers like to see the opportunities I am talking about.
Blessings to you and yours!
Your Brother in Christ,
Chuck
https://lakeside4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/03/15/what-an-opportunity/
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Chuckling joyfully. How WONDERFUL is He!! I’m so glad you shared the link. Heading over now to check it out! 😀
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Amen! God’s peace is always available to us…we are never alone, no matter the trial.
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Soooo good and sooo true, my dearly beloved sister. I’m so comforted by that!
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Jennifer, you are an amazing woman of God and I am SO glad you were obedient to Holy Spirit in sharing this power-packed message of HOPE and truth! Amen, amen & amen! We need your voice sharing peace right now and you’ve beautifully done it here! I’ve shared this on social media, because I believe as many people as possible need to come & read this incredible truth.
You are absolutely right, God is still very much in control. I love what that missionary in China said about His wings. WOW. That’s powerful imagery, being protected under the shadow of His wings. Amen!
You sharing about soaking in His presence is the most precious thing you could have said. I’ve found, as I know you have too, when my time simply resting in the presence of Abba Father has been lacking, everything is out of kilter. I’m lacking peace, direction and feel almost empty inside.
Spending time just hanging out, even if His peace causes sleep to fall on us, is the most healing thing we could ever do! His peace is contagious and very much evident in all we do, say and think. How could panicked people not wonder, “Why aren’t YOU afraid??”
Another perfect post from you my friend. My goodness what a blessing you are! All my love to you and your family. I pray your precious daughter is able to return home to you soon. May the Lord protect each of you, covered in the holy, precious blood of Jesus Christ. 🙏🏼
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Chuckling softly and joyfully. I am once again SO struck by what a gift of encouragement you have, my sister friend! Every single comment or post I’ve read by you absolutely brims over with Jesus’ love and light! With all my heart, thank you. Sending you Holy Spirit waves of love and peace!
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Well now isn’t our God just the greatest? I was feeling a little “weirded out” -not necessarily fearful, but like I had lost my bearings with all the virus stuff and school/business closings. I thought to myself “I just need to hear from God. I need to listen to what Jenn is saying-I wonder if she has posted anything?” Then I pulled out an off-brand dishwasher detergent out of the cabinet that was called “Radiance” and I felt that pause in the Spirit, like He wanted to get my attention. I prayed for Lily and then saw a message from you, Jenn with a podcast she felt impressed to send me. And now this! The challenge to shine with the brilliance of his serenity and peace. His RADIANCE! God is so precious to meet me right when and where I need him and through the miles, across the ocean. Ministering through a precious friend who is going through similar circumstances, yet in a third world country—and who is radiating God’s peace throughout the earth! 🙌😘♥️
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Oh my goodness, that just put the BIGGEST smile on my face, complete with chuckles of joy! I’m taking a screenshot of this to keep it. ❤ I absolutely love hearing how He met you, and also "feel the love!" Sending the biggest hug!
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Thank you for sharing these words. I am at peace, too. We serve a mighty God and we can rest in His peace.
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Amen and AMEN! He is mighty beyond all else! Much love to you, Stephanie ❤ ❤
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And to you, Jennifer! May God bless you and your family!
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Dear One, Thank you for your comments this morning. In my local community I have been seeking such a
rising up of the Kingdom Focussed people and the absolute domination of the Spirit of Fear in both their shopping and their behaviour. If we truly believe we are in the Image of the great high God and live and serve only Him we are, we must be Higher in both actions and deeds. If anyone is interested http://www.sacredmusings.com on the page Corona – Spirit of Fear – Toilet Rolls, I have expressed from my searching of the Word and life journey my heart re all of this. Anyone is invited to read and form their own opinions. Blessings dear Jennifer to you and yours. God’s perfect PEACE will come. It is written!!
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Thank you so very much for sharing, dear Faye! I was just looking at your page, and didn’t see the article. Would you mind posting the specific link here?
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Thanks for posting this… I just loved it…
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. – 2 Timothy 1:7
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Praise the Lord! I’m so very glad you did! And thank you SO much for sharing that verse, it’s spot on!!
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Love that line about God’s peace is raw power. Praying we can convey that peace to others.
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I join you in that prayer, CG. Yes Lord, Jesus, make us conduits of Your mighty peace!
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