There really is a foolproof recipe for true inner peace. It really is simple if you are one who is determined to use it the way it is directed. It doesn't cost money, you don't have to have an insurance plan in order to get it. On the contrary, if you persue this foolproof plan for peace, you will attain the ulitimate insurance plan for life.

God who is the Creator of everything, has this plan laid out for all who are willing to receive it. He guarantees it's success in bringing peace into your life. But, there are some requirements that are expected of you in order to activate it. God is not a God that makes our lives more complicated. We are the only ones who are to blame for that. God has lined out a very simple peace plan, in fact it's so simple, you could say it's as simple as your A,B,C's!

Face it, if you don't have peace within your soul, you are living a life of torment. The odds of that happening are practically 10 to 1. I would say that if you have no trials in your life, you aren't living. You would be an exception if your life was just cruising at a constant pace. But, God knows this is not the norm for His children and so for all those who want His perfect peace, He laid down this perfect recipe. God loves us with an undying love, and He wants us to have His peace in order to serve Him better while we are still aliens in this world. So, here it is, very simple, very basic and is guaranteed to work for all who use it the way He intended.

A is for ABIDE Abide means to live, dwell in something. It's home and home is where the heart is. Jesus said, "IF...you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions), you WILL abide in My love and live on it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on His love." (Jn.15:10). Jesus represents love and peace, and He instructs us to abide in Him in order that we can obtain these things from Him. The apostle John says, "But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him ABIDES (permanently) in you; (so) then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must ABIDE in (live in, never depart from) Him, (being rooted in Him, knit to Him), just as (His anointing) has taught you to do."(1 Jn.2:27). John even goes on to say that to ABIDE in Him is to live by truth. Living by truth brings peace, there is no more condemnation. John also writes (vs.28) that to ABIDE in Him is to have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and we will not shrink and be ashamed from Him at His coming. Again he tells us in (1 Jn. 3:6) that anyone who ABIDES in Him can NOT deliberately, knowingly, or habitually commit sin. Sin is what keeps us from knowing the perfect peace that God has for us in the first place. So when you ABIDE in Christ, you will be at peace from sin! This is to have the nature of God, which is perfect peace. Simple so far?

B is for BELIEVE Once we can abide, we will also have the belief in Christ. This to credit or to expect with confidence. After all, BELIEVING is the main theme behind God's Word. Many miracles were performed for those who believed. Jesus Himself said, "All things are possible to him who BELIEVES." (Mk. 9:23) Jesus said "ALL" things, not just a few things would be possible. ALL encompasses just that...EVERYTHING that there is. What does it leave out? Nothing! Again God made this promise, "that to as many as received and welcomed Him, He gave aurthority (power, privilege, right) to become children of God, that is, to those who BELIEVE in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) His name." (Jn. 1:12). I don't know about you, but this brings a great peace to my soul just knowing that I am a child of God's, the God of Peace! If this hasn't gotten your attention yet, then how about this. By believing in His name, you will never perish, but will have everlasting life! God says we will live forever with Him in His kingdom, (Jn. 3:15). This is truly a main ingredient for peace, to know that we will never die, that our lives will live on in another realm with God Almighty. The Bible is full of these promises from God to those who are willing to BELIEVE in His Son for attaining eternal peace and everlasging life.

C is for CHRIST This is the last ingredient. Actually the first and the last. He is the Alpha and Omega. He is the Rock, the Savior, The Comforter and Friend. These names alone should bring you great peace. Christ alone is the reason we can ABIDE and BELIEVE in the first place. He is the reason for our salvation, which spells out peace to perfection. Christ in His own words tells us that even the person who offers us a cup to drink because we bear the name and belong to Him will be rewarded. (Mk. 9:41) Here's the best assurance of all. Paul said "Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no judging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit." (Rom. 8:1). Just knowing that Christ will not bring us condemnation of judgement. This should be adding a great peace to you right now. Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) We are Christ's just as Christ is God's (1 Cor.3:23). In fact, the Bible says that we are INgrafted in Christ (which is receiving from Him) and we are now "new creatures" altogether. (2 Cor. 5:17) This is a fresh and new way which has come. The things that hold us back from peace is hanging onto our old things; such as contempt, sin, pride, stubborness of unforgiveness. All the things that won't leave us alone to ABIDE and BELIEVE in CHRIST. But when we can do these things, He washes us clean as snow. You have to admit that there is something magical and pure about a first snowfall. We describe it as pristine, pure and clean. We reflect that pristine innocence and beauty when Christ is done cleaning up our act.

To sum this all up is as Paul stated; "May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell (settle down, abide, make His home permanent) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love." (Eph. 3:17)

When we ABIDE, BELIEVE in CHRIST, making Him our permanent residency, (remember; home is where the heart is) we will be rooted and sercurely grounded in His Peace! Perfect love, truth, peace is having freedom from sin and death. It's having God's power and wisdom which spells relief for PEACE.

Now we know our A,B,C's!!!

Christ invites all to come to Him for eternal life and peace in this life. If you don't know Him today, ask Him to come into your heart and confess your sins to Him. He loves you so much that He died for them. When you exchange those sins for His peace, you will know that He is worthy to be praised. He will be your everlasting JOY, PEACE, COMFORT, TRUTH, and LOVE in a world where sin is running rampant. He is all you need. Just ask, listen and receive, it's there for the taking!

In order to know PEACE, you must first know God.

Vivian Gordon writes inspirational and spiritual articles in which to help strengthen the Believer's walk in Christ. They are often taken from today's point of view and used in conjunction with what God says about certain situations and how we are to handle them. There is always an answer for every problem. These articles are not all about asking God "why?" but in finding the answers.