The Rant: Do I radiate Christ's peace and joy?

Mission Statement

Monday, August 11, 2025

Do I radiate Christ's peace and joy?

Reflecting on whether one radiates Christ's peace and joy is a deeply personal and spiritual matter within the Christian faith. It invites introspection and examination of one's life and actions in light of Christian teachings.

Here's a breakdown of what it means to radiate Christ's peace and joy, based on Christian principles:

1. What it means to radiate Christ's peace and joy

Inner Peace and Joy: It is an internal state of contentment and hope stemming from a relationship with Jesus Christ, not solely dependent on external circumstances.
Outward Manifestation: This inner peace and joy are evident in interactions and actions. It is described as being a "vessel of His light, radiating His presence wherever we go".
Fruit of the Spirit: Peace and joy are considered part of the "fruit of the Spirit," qualities produced in believers by the Holy Spirit, according to Galatians 5:22-23.
Trust in God: Radiating Christ's peace and joy is closely linked to trusting in God's plan and character, even in difficult times.

https://likeananchor.com/2022/03/26/cultivating-lives-of-peace-and-joy/

2. Assessing whether one is radiating Christ's peace and joy

Self-Reflection Questions: Consider questions such as:

Do actions reflect Christ's teachings, particularly regarding love, forgiveness, and compassion?
Is peace experienced even amidst difficulties?
Are you perceived as someone who exudes a sense of peace and optimism?
Are you actively seeking to serve others and be a peacemaker?

Biblical Meditation: Meditating on scripture passages about God's promises for peace and joy can help align thoughts and emotions with God's will.
Prayer and Seeking Guidance: Pray for guidance and strength in living out Christian values and radiating Christ-like attributes.
Community and Accountability: Engage in a Christian community for support, encouragement, and accountability in reflecting Christ's character.
Observe Actions and Reactions: Pay attention to how you react to challenging situations, deal with conflict, and interact with others. Do these actions demonstrate patience, kindness, and love, even when facing negativity?

https://www.bible.com/bible/2753/ROM.15.13

3. Cultivating and deepening Christ's peace and joy

Study Jesus' Life and Teachings: Immerse yourself in the Gospels to learn from Jesus' examples and teachings on love, humility, and service.
Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a habit of gratitude, acknowledging the blessings in your life and recognizing God's hand in both the mundane and significant moments.
Prioritize Love Over Judgment: Approach interactions with compassion and understanding, choosing love over condemnation.
Seek Forgiveness and Extend Grace: Recognize your need for grace and extend it to others, practicing forgiveness as a reflection of God's grace.
Serve Others: Look for opportunities to serve others, reflecting Jesus' call to love and serve one another.

https://chronic-joy.org/radiate-love-intentional-kindness/

Ultimately, radiating Christ's peace and joy is a lifelong process that involves actively nurturing a relationship with God, living out Christian values daily, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform from within.

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The kingdom of God is among you

Luke 17:20-25 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’ He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it. They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes. But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.’

Live Adoration from Tyburn Convent

Adoration, also known as Eucharistic Adoration, is a Catholic prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a sign of devotion and worship to Jesus Christ, who is believed to be present in the consecrated host. During adoration, Catholics pray to Jesus Christ before the Eucharist at their local parish. The Eucharist is typically kept in a tabernacle at the parish church, and may be presented in front of a closed tabernacle or in front of the exposed host in a monstrance. A monstrance is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Anglican, High Church Lutheran, and Old Catholic churches. It is a stand made of precious metal that holds the Blessed Sacrament during adoration. The word "monstrance" comes from Latin and means "to show".

It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies will be those of his own household. ‘Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. ‘Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me. ‘Anyone who welcomes a prophet will have a prophet’s reward; and anyone who welcomes a holy man will have a holy man’s reward. ‘If anyone gives so much as a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

The beheading of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12 Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, ‘This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.

Psalms 9:16

The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah - Question: What does Higgaion and Selah mean? Answer: Both Higgaion and Selah are used numerous times in the Old Testament. They occur together in Psalm 9:16. The meanings of these words are uncertain. We observe Higgaion in such passages as Psalm 9:16; 19:14; 42:3; Lamentations 3:63. In Arabic, the root gives a deep vibrating sound, like the murmering sound of a harp (Psa. 92:3). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states that it may be derived from the Greek versions of Psalm 9:16 and takes it to mean an instrumental interlude. It may also mean a soliloquy or meditation such as concerning the judgment of God (Psa. 9:16), the words and work of God (Psa. 19:14), and the loving kindness and faithfulness of God (Psa. 92:2-3). In the Septuagint, Selah is translated as daplasma (meaning a division). It occurs in Habakkuk 3:3, 9, 13 and 71 times in the Psalms. It is used in 39 of our 150 psalms. Of those 39 psalms, 31 they are ones handed over to "the chief Musician." So, pause and meditation may be the predominate idea. In addition, it may mean to lift up (Hebrew, salal) or, in some definitions, a repetition, end of a strophe, or a recurring symphony. In his sermon named "HIGGAION!" about Psalm 9:16, Archibald G. Brown, on August 17, 1873, at the East London Tabernacle said this: "When the psalmist wrote this verse, and reached the words 'The wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands', he seemed to be overpowered at the terror of the thought, and so put a full stop and wrote in the word 'Higgaion!' As much as to say, 'O my soul, meditate on the tremendous truth my hand has penned, and let all who read the same meditate.' And then after 'Higgaion' he puts 'Selah'. He would have there to be a solemn pause. Oh, I would that there could be just one moment's solemn pause in our meeting tonight. Would that there could be a Selah, a Higgaion! Friends, shall there be? I put it to you. 'The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes; and the wicked shall be snared in the work of his own hands!" Now let us just for a moment meditate on that. Let there be a solemn Higgaion, and let every heart ask itself the question, 'How do I stand in reference to this tremendous truth?' *Answer by Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr. (https://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/47892)*

The Rant

Mission Statement

Monday, August 11, 2025

Do I radiate Christ's peace and joy?

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Do I radiate Christ's peace and joy?

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