Equipped with peace

Equipped with peace

John 20: ¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

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Unsettled, I could not sleep. There were so many thing I had to worry about, I could not find rest. I mean, what am I to do about declining health, waning wealth, increased pressure and broken relationships? All attempts for me to “fix” them satisfactorily for all involved have failed.

• There have been many times when I have worried.
• There have been many times when I have been filled with fear about the future.
• There have been many times when I could not see any solution to the situations because there were too many.

Hidden from the Jews, the disciples did not know what to do next. JESUS, who performed all kinds of miracles, was dead in their minds. How can they protect themselves? JESUS appeared in the locked room and gave them some things that they needed.

• JESUS shows me HE cares for me by seeking me daily.
• JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT so I do not have to rely on my own power.
• JESUS sends me out with a purpose to forgive those HE has forgiven.

Forgiveness brings peace. This can only come from the HOLY SPIRIT who reminds me about what JESUS did for me. I mean, if I am enraged or filled with fear or lost, the HOLY SPIRIT calms me down by saying “Peace to you.” This peace is actually equipment I can use versus something that is fleeting.

When I use peace as a tool, I can allow the situation to play itself out, knowing GOD has the best outcome already taken care of. The outcome may not be the one “I” choose, but I have noticed GOD’s choices are always the best choices. I receive HIS peace today.

• Are you losing sleep?
• Are you worried about the future?
• Will you stop dwelling in GOD’s realm, namely the future and focus on the present where HE gives you peace through the HOLY SPIRIT?

Hope Kept

Hope Kept

John 5: After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. ⁵ Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

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When the news of a friend getting a job reached me, I reacted unexpectedly. I was supposed to be excited and celebratory but instead I was upset and angry. “What about me?” I questioned GOD. With bills piling up and no income for years I wondered if my prayers were even being heard.

• When problems go for a long time, I feel like giving up.
• When issues stay around longer than expected, I feel like I am being blamed for something.
• When obstacles seem to get higher and higher, I feel like I cannot even lift a finger.

Unintended consequences occurred when an angel stirred up the Bethesda pool. First one in wins great health. I can only imagine how selfish I would have been if I were sick. I mean I would have given up living life to wait on the pool to magically stir and then I would be ready to jump in at any given time. BUT JESUS did not want that kind of dependence.

• GOD wants me to understand HE knows what I am going through.
• GOD wants me to know HE can heal my situation at any time.
• GOD wants me to place my hope in HIM and live life instead of waiting on “this” situation to be fixed.

“Do you want to be made well?” seems like an obvious question, especially from GOD, who knows everything anyway. This question made me think. “What is HE asking?” GOD seems to be questioning the desire versus the method.

People will do anything and spend any amount of money to be made “well” and I am no exception. GOD wants me well, but HIS method is to heal me spiritually first. When my spiritual eyes are opened, I can see HE has already healed me of any circumstance but this may not be seen through worldly eyes. GOD is where I place my hope, not on what I can see.

• Do you want to be made well?
• Where are you placing your hope?
• Can you trust the process that GOD has you in and know HIS reason for keeping you in this place is to reward you and not hurt you?