The Search For Serenity

By Stephen Waller

There are moments of clarity when we, encumbered by our self-centred and filthy lives, get a glimpse of our turmoil and abandonment. By grace we see our path towards destruction and our desperate need for peace.

I had left my First Love.

I had been walking in a dry and barren land,
my soul parched and yet I was hardly aware of it...

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
Psalms 18:16-17 [ESV]

What is my purpose?
What does God really want from me?
How can I find peace?
The truth distilled for a distracted generation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Waller
• Release date: Jul 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005099831

Book preview

The Search

for Serenity

Change your perspective

and live in the light

Stephen Waller

Copyright © 2020 Stephen Waller

Published by Stephen Waller Publishing at Smashwords

First edition 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Stephen Waller

[e-mail]

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Living Bible, TLB, and the The Living Bible logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

1. We are all searching

Looking in the wrong places

We need rescue

Jesus is our rescue

His Word is true

The mysteries are revealed by the Holy Spirit

In His image

Abide in Him

Creation is evidence

2. I shall not want

God comes first

What is of real value?

You are unique

3. To live in The Light

Live now

We must mature

Live right

Obey God

Live in the Light

Choose Life

4. To love our neighbour

Love each other

Love always perseveres

Love is not selfish

Love never fails

5. Let go

Let go of your corrupt life

Don’t look back

Redeemed for higher purposes

Take His life

Called to Holiness

6. Trust Him

Know Him

Know the truth

Do not worry

Do not fear

His plans are good

7. Who is He?

He is good

He is love

He is the Word

He is our freedom

He is our guide

He is our refuge

He is our strength

He is our provider

He is our wisdom

He is with us

He is Peace

He is our Teacher

He is BIG

He is our Father

He (Jesus) is our Friend

He (Jesus) is the bread of life

He (Jesus) is the light of the world

He (Jesus) is the door of the sheep

He (Jesus) is the good shepherd

He (Jesus) is the resurrection and the life

He (Jesus) is the way, the truth and the life

He (Jesus) is the true vine

8. New Perspective

Let truth and light in

Renew your mind

Christ is the key

Choose His perspective

9. Attitudes to live by

Faith

Obedience

Love

Forgiveness

Repentance

Humility

Thankfulness

Trust

Prayer

Endurance

10. Peace

Peace by faith

Peace my foundation

Peace with God

Peace by choice

Peace from God

11. Continue Seeking Him

It’s all about Him

Seek, and keep on seeking

About the Author

Acknowledgements

The Father, for His amazing love and amazing grace.

Jesus, who loved me and gave Himself for me, while I was still a sinner.

The Holy Spirit, who reminded me of the Truth, gently drew me back to Him, and assures me every day of His presence.

My Dad, Leonard Harold Waller, who never judged me, only receiving me with open arms. A mirror of our Father in Heaven.

My Mom, Helen Louise Waller, a warrior whose prayers have won many a battle.

My precious wife, Teresa Lyn Waller, for her unfailing faithfulness.

My daughter, Serenity Moira Waller, who personifies her name and shows me how to keep my eyes on Jesus and imitate Him.

Charl Marais and Hannes Lourens, my companions on this spiritual journey we are figuring out with excitement.

Preface

This is my honest account of what I have learnt through practical experience and the grace of God. It is the truth, and by nature therefore it can liberate;

John 8:31 – 32 [ESV] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him; if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

I say can, because sometimes our thinking (or timing) is not aligned with God’s;

Isaiah 55:8 – 9 [NIV] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I say can, because personally I have heard the truth, and yet have not always lived a life in alignment with the truth. This could be because hearing the truth and understanding the truth are two different things;

Matthew 13:19 [ESV] When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

Maybe I got lost in the lies we are fed daily;

Proverbs 16:25 [ESV] There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

The point is, if you read these words, truly understand them, and live them (walk in The Truth or abide in My Word) your life will change for the better.

I recommend you take note, really take note... I recommend you search for The Truth. Make it your top priority. It will be time well spent;

Proverbs 6:20 – 23 [NLT] My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.

The above excerpts (and the ones that follow) are not just words. They are the Word of God, the Way of Life;

John 1:1 – 5 [NKJV] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through Him, and without Him noting was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 14:6 [ESV] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The truth is of extreme value. We all know the phrase; ‘Scientia potentia est’ or ‘knowledge is power’. To be more precise, true power is released through the application of the truth. So then, if we can find The Truth, this thing of extreme value, surely, we should hold tightly to it and make sure we apply it.

Proverbs 16:16 [ESV] How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 16:22a [ESV] Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it.

Matthew 13:44 [ESV] The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Joshua 1:8 [NKJV] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Matthew 13:12 [NLT] To those who listen to My teaching more understating will