Jesus offers us free gifts, and one such gift is His peace. Jesus gives us His peace all the time. That's twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, without any exceptions. Jesus' peace is unlike anything on earth. Jesus gives us heavenly peace, that's spiritual peace. Scripture reminds us, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" (John 14:26-27).
When Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus sent us His Holy Spirit and He brought peace with Him. The Spirit of Christ came to us from the Father. Jesus is the "Prince of Peace." God is a God of people and He fills us up with His peace. Jesus came to give us peace. He is the only source of peace. It is in God's perfect peace where He offers us a complete package of success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security, and well being. You know that experience when we say, "It is well with my soul." That feeling that you cannot find the words to explain, because it cannot be described by words. Jesus is the only reason we can truly live peacefully with God and others.
What about having peace with my enemies? Scripture says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). God wants us to have peace with each other, even when it seems impossible to have peace with certain individuals, but it is possible. Jesus makes it possible to establish peace with one another and with our enemies. Jesus can take that enemy and turn it from a foe to a friend. Instead of the enemy fighting against you, Jesus can fix it that you will suddenly find yourself fighting side by side, and on each other's side. Proverbs 16:7 says, "When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone's way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them." I have seen it happen on many occasions. Jesus offers something that money can't buy - peace with other people, including your enemy.
Jesus offers us this wonderful free gift of peace. He said, "Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" ((John 14:27). Jesus is telling us that receiving this wonderful gift is a choice. When you allow Him to take complete control over your life, you are allowing Him to take control over your fears. That's when you have given Him your troubles. When you let go and let God, He gives you His peace in exchange.
Whatever is troubling you, give it to Jesus, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). Family, financial setbacks, illness, job insecurities, and many other things will fill you with anxiety. There are some situations and problems that are inescapable, but whatever you may be experiencing, you can experience the peace of God in the midst of it all. The key is "prayer and petition." When you turn to God, through prayer, you are communing with Him, which will result in something absolutely wonderful. That sweet fellowship with God will leave you revived and refreshed. When you petition Him concerning your needs and concerns, God will infuse you with His presence, as peace. The peace of God shelters us from our anxiety and thoughts and His peace will guard your heart: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).
The peace that Jesus gives us is beyond comprehension. It is a peace that comes from trusting God and believing that all will be well, even when it isn't. It is a sense of resting in God, knowing that you are in the middle of a storm, but also knowing that you have an Anchor. The peace that Jesus offers us is the kind of peace that steadies us in the storms. His kind of peace sustains us. It is having peace when everything seems out of control. It is the kind of peace that helps you get through the hard times, and when life takes a turn for the worse. It is a kind of peace that helps you face hardships, helps you endure conflicts, broken relationships, and other things we have to learn to live with.
Yes, you will experience difficulties in your life, that's inevitable. But when anything or anyone threatens to disturb your peace, God will keep your heart and mind at peace. In order to live in peace, you must have peace. Jesus made peace. He is our peace. God has given you His peace. You can accept it or reject it. It's your choice. Now, may peace be with you and your family.
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