Neal Pryor said, “Our greatest need is for peace: peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with one another. Where the first of these is found, usually the other two can also be found.” As we read in the Bible, some are confused about peace. They cry, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). What is true peace and how can we attain it? That is the purpose of this month’s Bible-marking study. Usually I try to keep the verses in order, but we’ll be hopping around a bit because the first half of the verses focus on the turmoil found in worldly living and the second half focus on the peace that comes from being in Christ. Pay close attention to the fact that peace isn’t something that just happens. Our mindset and behavior play a significant role in whether or not we have true peace. In the front of your Bible, write:

True Peace- Jer. 6:14-17

They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, “Peace, peace,” but there is no peace.

Draw squiggly lines under the entire verse (v. 14). Superficial healing and a false sense of security are both dangerous. How did God’s people get to that point? We can find some reasons in the context. In verse 10, underline “the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.” In verse 13, underline “everyone is greedy for gain” and “everyone deals falsely.” In verse 15, underline “They were not ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush.” Draw brackets around God’s plan for peace in verse 16. Draw squiggly lines under “you will find rest for your souls.” In the margin next to it to verse 16, write “how to have true peace.” In verse 16, underline “we will not walk in it” and in verse 17, underline “we will not listen.” At the end of verse 17, write 8:11.

They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, saying, “Peace, peace,” but there is no peace.

Draw squiggly lines under the entire verse. Here we have a repeat of what we saw in chapter six. Note the reasons for the false peace mentioned in this chapter. In verse nine, underline “they have rejected the word of the Lord.” In verse 12, underline “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed, and they did not know how to blush.” At the end of verse 11, write Isa. 48:22.

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.

Underline the entire verse. At the end of the verse, write 57:20,21.

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Underline “There is no peace…for the wicked.” At the end of the verse, write John 16:33.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

Underline “in Me you may have peace” and “in the world you have tribulation.” In the margin, write “contrast.” At the end of the verse, write Rom. 8:6.

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

Here we have another contrast! Underline “the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” At the end of the verse, write John 14:27.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Underline the entire verse. Jesus contrasts the peace He offers from the peace the world offers. He doesn’t want us to have troubled and fearful hearts. Those who try to find peace from the world are going to have just that. At the end of the verse, write Rom. 2:9,10.

There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Circle the words “tribulation” and “distress” and underline “for every soul of man who does evil.” Circle the words “glory,” “honor,” and “peace” and underline “to everyone who does good.” In the margin, write “our choice.” At the end of the verse, write Phil. 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Underline the second half of the verse, starting with “And the peace of God…” If you haven’t already for another topic, write in the margin, “Worry about nothing. Pray about everything.” At the end of the verse, write v. 9.

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Underline “practice these things, and the peace of God will be with you.” Draw brackets around all of verse eight, since that is probably much of what the Philippians saw Paul do. At the end of the verse, write Heb. 12:11.

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Underline the entire verse. From the study of these verses, we’ve seen that true peace comes from walking in Christ and not in the world, serving others, praying fervently, and being open to God’s chastening. At the end of the verse, write 2 Thess. 3:16.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

Underline the entire verse.

This is my prayer for all of you.

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy is married to Neal, whom she met at Faulkner University. Neal preaches for the Bear Valley church of Christ in Denver, CO. They have three sons–Gary, Dale, and Carl. Kathy has enjoyed several short-term mission trips to Ukraine, Tanzania, and Cambodia. She’s an instructor in the Women’s Program at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, one of the directors of Higher Ground Encampment, a Bible camp for teen girls, and the author of Return to Me: What to do When Loved Ones Fall Away.

Latest posts by Kathy Pollard (see all)

• Bible Marking: Life’s Most Important Choices - April 17, 2019
• Bible Marking: The Hand of God - January 7, 2019
• Bible Marking: A Characteristic of Christianity - October 3, 2018