Jesus says this immediately after saying he will send them the Holy Spirit to live in the disciples' hearts and teach them all things. So it is through the Spirit that we will experience this peace and freedom from fear. It is only in complete surrender to the Spirit that we can truly live free, with the inner peace that comes from complete trust in him. This is not the peace the world pretends to offer, which comes only from the absence of conflict. This is the peace of God, which continues in the midst of conflict and trouble.
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Different Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn 14:27)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A Mind at Peace
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Is 26:3)
If I truly trust in God my mind will be steadfast, and I will have perfect peace. If we know that God is real, God is here, God is all powerful and God loves us, then we can trust him completely without wavering. He is fully and completely trustworthy. If I fully trust him in all things, I have no reason to fear or worry. Then real peace is mine. As the hymn says, “It is well with my soul.”
If I truly trust in God my mind will be steadfast, and I will have perfect peace. If we know that God is real, God is here, God is all powerful and God loves us, then we can trust him completely without wavering. He is fully and completely trustworthy. If I fully trust him in all things, I have no reason to fear or worry. Then real peace is mine. As the hymn says, “It is well with my soul.”
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Peace Through Obedience
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. (Ps 119:165)
There is such a peace that comes from knowing and obeying God’s laws. We have a path to follow. We don’t need to rely on ourselves to know right from wrong. God sets his laws like a wall of protection around us. Your rod and your staff comfort us. You are our shepherd and if we follow you no one can make us stumble.
There is such a peace that comes from knowing and obeying God’s laws. We have a path to follow. We don’t need to rely on ourselves to know right from wrong. God sets his laws like a wall of protection around us. Your rod and your staff comfort us. You are our shepherd and if we follow you no one can make us stumble.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Calm in the Storm
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mk 4:39-40)
The disciples were afraid of the storm, even though Jesus has power over storms. They had at least the excuse of not fully understanding who Jesus is, but we do not. When I am afraid of the future, it is because I lose sight of who Jesus is. I forget that he is with me. As John says, perfect love casts out fear. (1 Jn 4:18) Lord, remind me that you calmed the storm, and you are with me.
The disciples were afraid of the storm, even though Jesus has power over storms. They had at least the excuse of not fully understanding who Jesus is, but we do not. When I am afraid of the future, it is because I lose sight of who Jesus is. I forget that he is with me. As John says, perfect love casts out fear. (1 Jn 4:18) Lord, remind me that you calmed the storm, and you are with me.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Holy to the Lord
Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD…It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD. (Ex 28:36,38)
The whole tone of this passage is that Aaron approached the mercy seat tenuously and cautiously, anxiously hoping that all the ceremonies and sacred trappings had been performed just right so he would not die. But we “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Heb 4:16) because the blood of Jesus is a better sacrifice than the blood of goats. And again, “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (Heb 10:10) The blood of Jesus is the perfect and eternally secure covering for our sin, so that for us the plate of gold Aaron wore becomes a beautiful symbol of our salvation. I wear on my forehead a golden seal which says Holy to the Lord. And it is not of my own making. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Rom 5:9) “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:1) Father, thank you! Thank you for this perfect peace that comes from your eternal and perfect gift of your Son. Thank you for the seal of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I do not need to wear an outward seal, but I too am declared “Holy to the Lord” by a salvation more secure than what you had yet shown your people in Aaron’s day. Thank you! Amen.
The whole tone of this passage is that Aaron approached the mercy seat tenuously and cautiously, anxiously hoping that all the ceremonies and sacred trappings had been performed just right so he would not die. But we “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Heb 4:16) because the blood of Jesus is a better sacrifice than the blood of goats. And again, “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (Heb 10:10) The blood of Jesus is the perfect and eternally secure covering for our sin, so that for us the plate of gold Aaron wore becomes a beautiful symbol of our salvation. I wear on my forehead a golden seal which says Holy to the Lord. And it is not of my own making. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Rom 5:9) “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:1) Father, thank you! Thank you for this perfect peace that comes from your eternal and perfect gift of your Son. Thank you for the seal of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I do not need to wear an outward seal, but I too am declared “Holy to the Lord” by a salvation more secure than what you had yet shown your people in Aaron’s day. Thank you! Amen.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Standing on the Rock
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps 61:2)
With roiling clouds above me and raging seas around me, I stand upon the rock that is higher than I. The Rock of my salvation is higher than the highest waves and stronger than the strongest gales. I am secure in the fortress of his power, while about me swirl storms that alone I could not withstand. God is my Rock; God is my Fortress. My eyes see the storm and I am tempted to fear, but my heart sees only God and I am at peace. I will call upon him, and let the peace in my heart fill also my mind. He is mighty. He is in control. He is my Father.
With roiling clouds above me and raging seas around me, I stand upon the rock that is higher than I. The Rock of my salvation is higher than the highest waves and stronger than the strongest gales. I am secure in the fortress of his power, while about me swirl storms that alone I could not withstand. God is my Rock; God is my Fortress. My eyes see the storm and I am tempted to fear, but my heart sees only God and I am at peace. I will call upon him, and let the peace in my heart fill also my mind. He is mighty. He is in control. He is my Father.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Peace and Safety
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Ps 46:10-11)
In the midst of great turmoil and danger there is one who is Unmovable, Imperturbable and Indestructible. He is our fortress. We run to him and are safe. Be still my soul, when fears rush in to overtake me. There is no power that can breach this fortress. God is above every struggle. His strength is unmatched, his power unchallenged. When troubles come there is an inward peace, the gift of God who inhabits my heart. I will be still and know that you are God.
In the midst of great turmoil and danger there is one who is Unmovable, Imperturbable and Indestructible. He is our fortress. We run to him and are safe. Be still my soul, when fears rush in to overtake me. There is no power that can breach this fortress. God is above every struggle. His strength is unmatched, his power unchallenged. When troubles come there is an inward peace, the gift of God who inhabits my heart. I will be still and know that you are God.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
It's Under Control
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Ps 34:4)
It is human nature to be afraid, but we have no cause for fear, because God is with us. Whatever it is that we might fear, God is sovereign over it. He is sovereign over all our circumstances. I need not fear that some happenstance will thwart his plan. The Holy Spirit is at work orchestrating every event to bring about his will. If I should think that some small action, or even inaction, on my part will frustrate God’s will I vastly underestimate his abilities. The Lord spoke to Isaiah, “I say: my purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Is 46:10) God will use me, or he will use another. I pray, ultimately, to align myself with God’s will and to make myself available to God’s plan. But no man can thwart God’s will in anything. Amen!
It is human nature to be afraid, but we have no cause for fear, because God is with us. Whatever it is that we might fear, God is sovereign over it. He is sovereign over all our circumstances. I need not fear that some happenstance will thwart his plan. The Holy Spirit is at work orchestrating every event to bring about his will. If I should think that some small action, or even inaction, on my part will frustrate God’s will I vastly underestimate his abilities. The Lord spoke to Isaiah, “I say: my purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Is 46:10) God will use me, or he will use another. I pray, ultimately, to align myself with God’s will and to make myself available to God’s plan. But no man can thwart God’s will in anything. Amen!
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