1-23-2017

Good Morning All,

         John 14:27: “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 them be afraid.”

      Just a little peace and quiet, that is usually what most people want.  I just want a little peace and quiet so I can rest a little; just five minutes.  You get home from work, you come in from outside on a hot July day, the mental stress of making things last a little longer because you can’t afford to replace them now, the emotional stress we feel when relationships are wounded are all things that make us seek some peace and quiet.  I remember watching a news program shortly after the 9/11 attacks and they showed some National Guard members who were stationed at various airports around the country.  The stress that was displayed in their faces as they waited and watched for something they neither knew nor understood was great.  The news program showed how most of them slept while leaning against a wall for a few minutes at a time; they so desperately wanted some peace and quiet.

    In our lives we often seek peace and quiet but we often look to the wrong places.  Too often we look to the world for our peace but to the world peace means not fighting.  Peace to the world is like halftime of a football game.  It is time to reassess the situation and try to exploit the weaknesses of your opponent.  Too often we look to ourselves and then we begin to fear and to worry and we let our hearts be troubled.  Twice in the 14^th chapter of John, Jesus tells his disciples to “not let your hearts be troubled.”  Because of the salvation that Jesus earned and then gave to us we have hope for eternal life.  But Jesus made another promise to his disciples; he promised to send His Spirit to them.

    The Greek word used for “Helper” is paraclete.  We do not have a good English equivalent for this word.  It means the one who travels with you or beside you.  We have different names in different translations.  The Spirit is called the Advocate, the Helper, the Consoler.  My personal favorite is the King James Version where the Spirit is called the Comforter.  Jesus tells his disciples (that includes you and me),” I will send the Comforter.  For me there is no better symbol of peace.  On those cold winter days, I find my favorite blanket and wrap up in it and I can sleep as peacefully as possible.  That is the image that we should see.  Whenever we lack peace, whenever we need peace God sends his Spirit the Comforter to wrap you up and to give you peace.  We receive the kind of peace that lets us rest that allows “our hearts to not be troubled.”  One of the many blessings that God gives to his redeemed children is peace; peace with God.  We will still face struggles and challenges but we face them knowing that God is for us.  We have His promise to rely on.  We have His peace; we have His Comforter.

     Almighty Father, through your Spirit we are given peace and comfort.  Lead us to trust in your Word that this is true.  Give us the faith to trust in this promise and to hold firmly to it.  Teach me to live at peace with You, to make peace with others and even with myself.  Send your Spirit of Comfort to all those who are in pain or in sorrow.  Bless them with your mercy and use us as your hands to deliver this love.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret