ARE YOU TROUBLED?
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give I give to you...-John 14:27There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always "spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? "...My peace I give you..." -a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.
Are you severely troubled right now? Are you afraid and confused by the waves and turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life? Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found any well of peace, joy, or comfort? Does your life seem completely barren to you? Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself.
With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get. We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow,listen to Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:27).
Very fitting, don't you think?
1 comment:
Ah friend we are reading this for one of our classes. We are required to pray and journal. I was so moved by this one on grace. We also have to read "The Grace Awakening" by Chuck Swindoll. AWESOME! Because God is so AWESOME!!
Here were my thoughts:
I am inadequate. I don’t just feel that way in my job, as mom, in my ministry, as a wife, in relation to others, it is real!! I am a sinner. The moment I get real about that, and stop trying to make it seem to others that I have it all together in any aspect of my life, will be the moment they can relate to me because we all feel this way. It is in these moments that we show others how much we need Him and they might see how much they need him. We as self righteous people do not lead others to Christ. He Justifies us…
Justification: the sovereign act of God whereby He declares righteous the believing sinner while he is still in a sinning state.
He is so awesome and loving. Not only does He justify us but he allows us to look Him in the face and have peace in this state. Why? I am not sure but I am so thankful I belong to Him. May my life, warts and all, be a reflection of His grace, mercy, and patients! I never again want to think I have it all together because it’s in that moment I am saying I don’t need Him.
1 Timothy 1:15-17 (New International Version)
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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