Sunday, August 30, 2015

Peace Be With You

“Peace Be With You!” As the disciples hid behind locked doors from the Jewish leaders these are the first words said to them after Jesus’ resurrection. So what does “Peace Be With You!” mean and why is this an important phrase to Jesus? James 14:25-27 (NIV) sheds some light as Jesus exclaims, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

“Peace Be with You!” means, if we follow Jesus’ words, peace is given through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not of our worldly conditions, relationships, and objects. Many times we believe we have peace in our own lives if we have enough money, we are doing what we want, or our relationships are stable and loving. These are all examples of a worldly peace. However, Jesus talks about a difference type of peace---A peace guided by the Holy Spirit. That peace is more about following the path set forth by the Holy Spirit—Are we doing what God calls us to do with the many blessings he has given us? Are we honoring him in our relationships with others and are we fulfilling His calling for our life? The challenge is we have to have a relationship with Him so that we can not only hear him as he directs our life, but also listen and act on what he wants us to do. It is this peace that puts our heart in alignment with him where we are not afraid because we are doing exactly as he has commanded us. “Peace Be with You!” I pray the relationship you have with the Holy Spirit allows you to hear His callings so that you have the peace Jesus was talking about!

While I do wish you a worldly peace I ask that you never sacrifice the peace that Jesus talks about to get it. Keep your eyes, ears, and mind focused on Him and through that peace you will have the relationships and lives that your heart desires.

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