Shalom

#1 · July 6, 2011, 10:37 am

Quote from Forum Archives on July 6, 2011, 10:37 am
Posted by: bneumann848 <bneumann848@...>

Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you! (John 20:19)

Three times between his resurrection from the dead and His assention to heaven, Jesus spoke peace to His disciples (John 20:19, 21, 26). In John 14:27, He gave them His peace - a peace that transcended human comprehension - and told them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] In John 16:33, He said that we could have "perfect peace" in Him and "take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted]" because He has overcome the world. "[I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

There are many things in our world that try to rob believers of peace - floods, drought, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes/tsunamis, wars, rumors of war, sickness, death, local and global economies, gas prices, food shortages, the list goes on. Perfect peace is not the heady belief that nothing bad will ever happen to me, nor is it the misguided notion that everything that happens is somehow God's will. Rather, it is the unwavering conviction that, no matter what comes, I will stay vitally connected to the Vine (John 15:4-5) and rest in His great love. "For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support, [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5b-6)

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Shalom.

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Posted by: bneumann848 <bneumann848@...>

Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you! (John 20:19)

Three times between his resurrection from the dead and His assention to heaven, Jesus spoke peace to His disciples (John 20:19, 21, 26). In John 14:27, He gave them His peace - a peace that transcended human comprehension - and told them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] In John 16:33, He said that we could have "perfect peace" in Him and "take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted]" because He has overcome the world. "[I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"

There are many things in our world that try to rob believers of peace - floods, drought, wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes/tsunamis, wars, rumors of war, sickness, death, local and global economies, gas prices, food shortages, the list goes on. Perfect peace is not the heady belief that nothing bad will ever happen to me, nor is it the misguided notion that everything that happens is somehow God's will. Rather, it is the unwavering conviction that, no matter what comes, I will stay vitally connected to the Vine (John 15:4-5) and rest in His great love. "For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support, [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5b-6)

Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Shalom.

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If you have questions: <adevotionalgroup-owner@welovegod.org>