Peace Not of this World!

    With these words Jesus reminds me that I will not have peace in this world.  We pray for peace which is good but as long as Satan has his way there will not be lasting peace in the world. 

     True peace in my life can only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ thanks to His death and resurrection.  When I in faith accepted His gift of salvation He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within me and to produce fruit in my life.

     As I spend time with God in prayer and scripture this fruit grows and permeates every aspect of my life.  It is only through His presence that my life can reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.  

     When Jesus returned to His Father He left His followers the gift of peace.  Therefore nothing that happens in this world should trouble or alarm me.  Move me to share Jesus with the world?  Definitely!  Wring my hands and live in fear?  Absolutely not!

     Do you have this peace that is beyond all understanding?  If not, I pray you will seek Jesus out.  He has promised that when you seek you will find.  Seek Him today.

Peter's Example

     In Matthew 16:15-16 Peter had the correct answer. He confessed his belief in who Jesus is. What a marvelous testimony from this man who gave up all to follow Jesus.

     However, just a few short verses (21-23) later Peter is rebuked by the same One he had just confessed to be the Son of God:

     From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

     I don't know about you but this gives me hope for myself. One moment my faith is strong as can be and the next I'm wondering if God hears me. We know the rest of the story. Peter becomes the leader of Christ's church, a missionary spreading the gospel of Christ, and suffers death because of his great faith.

     I believe Peter's example is given in scripture to encourage and teach me that if God can and will do this for Peter He can do what He wants with me. I just have to be willing to serve Him. He takes care of the rest.

     He can and will do the same for you.