Your peace!
Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 13.
"You will find Me when you seek Me, if you look for Me in earnest."
In John chapter 20 we find the disciples meeting behind locked doors, when suddenly Jesus was standing there among them! One of the disciples who was not there at the time, would not believe that they saw Jesus and stated "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands---and put my fingers into them and place my hand into His side."
Eight days later the disciples gathered again behind locked doors. This time with Thomas, and again Jesus was suddenly standing there among them, greeting them. Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Do not be faithless any longer. Believe!" Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen Me. But blessed are those who have not seen Me and believe anyway."
What does it take to get your attention? Miracles can do that but once you have seen them then they can easily become stories. You continue to look for more miracles always wanting to believe that they are from one guy but your mind wanders.
If a person did something that amazed you then you would have a story to tell. If something happened to you that was truly amazing and you were unable to declare that this or that person was involved then you would be left wondering. In your life, circumstances can become overwhelming leaving you, confused and depressed. You hate the way things are going. Do you give up, knowing that your next moment is not going to get any better? You dread tomorrow coming and no one understands how you are feeling. They just don't get it!
Maybe God can help. You have heard that He is almighty and all powerful. You have looked around and seen the things of this world, maybe they are from God? But He is unseen! What do you have to lose? You don't have to be at your wits end to come to God but stubbornness will block you from looking His way.
The only way you will know is by talking to God yourself. You are not sure who you are talking to, but you would like to think that it is God. Jesus has made it possible for you to talk to God and when you do, God will hear you and answer you. In Jeremiah chapter 29, we read about a letter given to the prophet by God, to the captives He has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem. God tells them to build homes and plan to stay, plant vineyards, marry and have children. He even asks them to pray for their enemies for if they are at peace then, you will be to.
The people had fallen away into sinful lives. They may have known about God but they had chosen to live as they saw fit instead of worshiping Him and trusting in Him to provide a good life. God has always been there for people, but people find it hard to believe it is Him influencing their lives. Jesus is God's final answer. He is the Messiah, God's Son, our Savior.
When you are unsettled mistakes get made. It's easy to follow your own ideas, thinking that you are doing right, thinking that this is going great and you are having such a good time. But then times are not so good. Attitudes and mistrust creep in. The lies and accusations take over. Your peace has gone, it was short lived and may be hard to find again.
Jesus said in John chapter 14 verse 27, "I am leaving you with a gift---peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give is not fragile like the peace the world gives. So do not be troubled or afraid." We are to always remember the goodness and kindness of God. All around us is the 'old you,' the way you lived before Jesus came into your life. Your old you temps you and teases you with desires and wants.
Thank God for Jesus! Your peace is in standing beside Him as troubles, temptations and desires do their best to distract you from Him. Your strength, your wisdom, knowledge and understanding are all from Him and are not found in your old habits. As good as they look and as hard as they try, your focus is on the one who has given you everlasting peace.
That is why you reflect Him! And others are attracted because the same attraction you had to Him is now revealed through you. No one knows the hidden thoughts that you have. But God knows your thoughts and worries and He wants you to know Jesus. Imagine, no matter where you go, the peace of Jesus is with you. If you don't let Him in then you will not experience His amazing love.
God loves you whether you love Him or not. He would prefer your bountiful joy flowing out upon Him for all the goodness He brings you, but that can't happen if you don't look. On your own, your peace is fragile and easily distracted. God's peace is forever! You could be young, middle age or old, the moment He becomes a part of your life, you are forever thankful.
Thank You Father for Jesus. Thank You for a peace that we never would thought could happen. Our lives can be twisted and complicated, but You fill it with Your love. Overflowing, and pressed down to make room for more. 😊
Luke chapter 6 verse 38.
For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give---large or small---will be used to measure what is given back to you.
Isaiah chapter 40 verses 30 and 31.
Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
2 Chronicles chapter 20 verse 15.
The Lord says, "Do not be afraid! Do not be paralyzed by this mighty army! For the battle is not yours, but God's!
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