Finding peace through the love of God

Send us Fan Mail Finding Peace Through the Love of God Mike Kocienski and Anthony Kocienski return to discuss how God’s love produces real peace, even in the middle of stress, uncertainty, and pain. This conversation blends personal testimony with scripture, especially around surrender, trust, and loving others well.In this episode, Mike and Anthony share personal stories about financial pressure, illness, family strain, and moments where prayer brought immediate calm. They also walk through several Bible passages, including John 14:27, 1 John 4:19, Matthew 22:37 to 39, and Job, to show why God’s peace is different from what the world offers. Key Topics Anthony shares a recent moment of deep anxiety over rent and bills, and how prayer brought him a sense of peace within hours. The hosts contrast temporary, circumstance-based peace with the lasting peace Jesus gives in John 14:27. They discuss surrendering burdens to God instead of relying on personal strength, pride, or control. Mike and Anthony connect peace with love, arguing that God’s love changes how believers treat other people. They reflect on Jesus choosing love over hatred, including the story of Barabbas and the idea that Christ died for all people. The conversation revisits Job as an example of suffering, endurance, and refusing to curse God even after devastating loss. They talk about practical Christian living through forgiveness, patience, kindness, peacemaking, and daily prayer. Mike shares a personal story about meeting a woman at the Mayo Clinic who encouraged him and prayed with him, which he saw as a God-ordained encounter. The episode closes with encouragement to release one burden each evening and trust God to handle what cannot be controlled. Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome back and episode theme: peace through God’s love  02:18 - Anthony describes financial pressure and a breaking point in prayer  04:38 - Peace arriving after surrendering worry to God  07:03 - Why God’s peace is steadier than the world’s peace  09:30 - Faith the size of a mustard seed and trusting Jesus over fear  10:29 - Why love, not hate, is the true Christian response  13:18 - Barabbas, forgiveness, and being included in Christ’s sacrifice  16:19 - Job as the model for suffering without losing faith  20:18 - Peace and love are both rooted in Jesus, not money or success  21:29 - Jesus restores the connection between God and humanity  22:21 - Mike’s testimony: realizing God’s love and learning to receive it  25:20 - Soul-level peace versus temporary material peace  27:04 - Scripture gives a place to bring anxiety, not shame for having it  30:25 - Love, prayer, and trusting God’s timing  31:27 - Abraham’s faith and the cost of trusting God fully  33:50 - God’s voice, God’s control, and why that brings peace  36:04 - Mike’s Mayo Clinic encounter and a surprising moment of encouragement  40:00 - God working through people and angels as messengers  43:58 - Matthew 22:37 to 39: love God first, then love your neighbor  44:55 - Why loving people can be difficult, and why persistence matters  47:03 - Being a peacemaker through forgiveness, truth, and apology  48:04 - Weekly practices: pray, read scripture, forgive, thank God  49:03 - Release one burden each night and let God handle the rest  50:18 - Closing reminder: God’s love becomes peace that overflows into relationships Notable Quotes “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” “We love because he first loved us.” “You might pray, God, I’ve done what I can today. I place the rest in your hands.” Action items Pray every morning. Read one chapter of the Bible each day. Forgive someone you have been holding bitterness against. Tell someone you love them. Spend five quiet minutes thanking God. Before bed, name one burden you cannot control and give it to God. ·         God’s peace ·         Peace through the love of God ·         Christian peace ·         Biblical peace ·         Surrender to God ·         Trusting God in hard times ·         Faith over fear ·         Anxiety and prayer ·         Overcoming anxiety with faith ·         God’s love ·         Christian encouragement ·         Loving your neighbor ·         Forgiveness ·         Peacemaking ·         Prayer for peace ·         John 14:27 Support the show Visit our website:  www.letstalkbcpc.com   Our E-Mail:  [email protected]