Peace
PEACE
“Peace I leave with 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 it be afraid.’ John 14:27
When Jesus returned to the disciples after his crucifixion, he stayed on earth for 40 days before going to heaven for the last time period he could have offered any sort of wisdom. His final words could simply have been, “I told you so!” as he walked away. Or he could have stayed away and not returned for those 40 days at all. After all, he is God and can do what he wants! What he did do was to offer the gift of peace, to them and to us. Peace that transcends any sort of understanding.
Peace. It's such a beautiful word. It conveys images of serenity, contentment, and freedom from the trials and tribulations of everyday existence. Peace means freedom from conflict, freedom from inner turmoil, and freedom from worry. Peace is such a beautiful concept that advertisers and marketers attempt to sell it with images of relaxed vacations lounging on the beach or happy senior citizens celebrating on the golf course. But contrary to the implied claims of modern media, real peace -- genuine peace -- isn't for sale. At any price!
Have you discovered the genuine peace that can be yours through Christ? Are you still scurrying after the illusions of peace the world promises but cannot deliver? If you've turned things over to Jesus, you'll be blessed now and forever. So what are you waiting for? Let him rule your heart and your thoughts, beginning now. When you do, you'll experience the peace that only he can give.
+++
What is peace? The world would define peace as the absence of hostility, meaning there are no wars. Most people who are married would say peace is when you and your spouse are getting along OK. Parents would say if their children are healthy and doing well in school then they have peace. But is this real peace?
When Jesus speaks of peace He's not Speaking of the circumstances we face in this broken world, He is speaking of our hearts. What does it mean to have peace in your heart? What would you give if all the worry and anxiety could simply wash away and never come back?
If I could wave a magic wand and take away all the worry and stress that I've faced over the past few years I would give everything I have. And yet it's free for the taking if we simply receive what Jesus offers us.
The world understands peace based on circumstances. God offers peace based on relationship. When there is no relationship with God an individual is left to wonder and worry about the future. The atheist who says there is no God still questions deep down in his heart if there's something beyond life in this world. The agnostic wonders if he knows the right God. The millions upon millions of people in false religions work and strive to accomplish some type of assurance for their eternity, but in their hearts they know it's never enough and they strive for more never finding peace.
So, when Jesus offers us peace, is it a pipe dream? Or does Jesus offer us something real and tangible? The peace that Jesus offers is not based on circumstances in this world or misguided beliefs and understanding or even something we achieve by our own efforts. The peace that Jesus offers is a new and different relationship with our heavenly Father made possible through His sacrifice on the cross.
Apart from the blood of Christ an individual is left stranded under the judgment of God with no future but the eternal fires of hell. If that is a person's future, then it is certain they have no peace in their hearts. With the blood of Christ covering us through faith in his all-atoning sacrifice, we have been restored to a relationship with the Father and we have been made as children. All the judgment we deserved because of our sinfulness has been paid for by His sacrifice on the cross. We are assured of a future in eternity with God because of what He has accomplished for us in the person of His Son. This provides peace in our hearts because we know our future is secure.
But more than this, we have the promise of God's presence with us moment by moment, day by day, until we join Him in eternity. He knows what we need before we ask, and He's already at work to bless us in ways we cannot even imagine.
This is the peace that Jesus speaks of when He tells us that He leaves us His peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” He goes on to tell us it's not a worldly peace but an eternal peace because God has set His heart and focus upon you.
So as you think about your life through the day and wonder not only about tomorrow but about eternity let the promises of God fill your heart. He has assured you of peace that has been made possible for you by the death and resurrection of His Son.
God’s blessings to you today,
Pastor Russ
“Peace I leave with 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 it be afraid.’ John 14:27
When Jesus returned to the disciples after his crucifixion, he stayed on earth for 40 days before going to heaven for the last time period he could have offered any sort of wisdom. His final words could simply have been, “I told you so!” as he walked away. Or he could have stayed away and not returned for those 40 days at all. After all, he is God and can do what he wants! What he did do was to offer the gift of peace, to them and to us. Peace that transcends any sort of understanding.
Peace. It's such a beautiful word. It conveys images of serenity, contentment, and freedom from the trials and tribulations of everyday existence. Peace means freedom from conflict, freedom from inner turmoil, and freedom from worry. Peace is such a beautiful concept that advertisers and marketers attempt to sell it with images of relaxed vacations lounging on the beach or happy senior citizens celebrating on the golf course. But contrary to the implied claims of modern media, real peace -- genuine peace -- isn't for sale. At any price!
Have you discovered the genuine peace that can be yours through Christ? Are you still scurrying after the illusions of peace the world promises but cannot deliver? If you've turned things over to Jesus, you'll be blessed now and forever. So what are you waiting for? Let him rule your heart and your thoughts, beginning now. When you do, you'll experience the peace that only he can give.
+++
What is peace? The world would define peace as the absence of hostility, meaning there are no wars. Most people who are married would say peace is when you and your spouse are getting along OK. Parents would say if their children are healthy and doing well in school then they have peace. But is this real peace?
When Jesus speaks of peace He's not Speaking of the circumstances we face in this broken world, He is speaking of our hearts. What does it mean to have peace in your heart? What would you give if all the worry and anxiety could simply wash away and never come back?
If I could wave a magic wand and take away all the worry and stress that I've faced over the past few years I would give everything I have. And yet it's free for the taking if we simply receive what Jesus offers us.
The world understands peace based on circumstances. God offers peace based on relationship. When there is no relationship with God an individual is left to wonder and worry about the future. The atheist who says there is no God still questions deep down in his heart if there's something beyond life in this world. The agnostic wonders if he knows the right God. The millions upon millions of people in false religions work and strive to accomplish some type of assurance for their eternity, but in their hearts they know it's never enough and they strive for more never finding peace.
So, when Jesus offers us peace, is it a pipe dream? Or does Jesus offer us something real and tangible? The peace that Jesus offers is not based on circumstances in this world or misguided beliefs and understanding or even something we achieve by our own efforts. The peace that Jesus offers is a new and different relationship with our heavenly Father made possible through His sacrifice on the cross.
Apart from the blood of Christ an individual is left stranded under the judgment of God with no future but the eternal fires of hell. If that is a person's future, then it is certain they have no peace in their hearts. With the blood of Christ covering us through faith in his all-atoning sacrifice, we have been restored to a relationship with the Father and we have been made as children. All the judgment we deserved because of our sinfulness has been paid for by His sacrifice on the cross. We are assured of a future in eternity with God because of what He has accomplished for us in the person of His Son. This provides peace in our hearts because we know our future is secure.
But more than this, we have the promise of God's presence with us moment by moment, day by day, until we join Him in eternity. He knows what we need before we ask, and He's already at work to bless us in ways we cannot even imagine.
This is the peace that Jesus speaks of when He tells us that He leaves us His peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.” He goes on to tell us it's not a worldly peace but an eternal peace because God has set His heart and focus upon you.
So as you think about your life through the day and wonder not only about tomorrow but about eternity let the promises of God fill your heart. He has assured you of peace that has been made possible for you by the death and resurrection of His Son.
God’s blessings to you today,
Pastor Russ
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
March
July
2025
January
October
November
Categories
no categories
No Comments