Do you feel as though you are having trouble?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33 (NIV))

Do the current issues in the world make you feel like you are having trouble?

Did you feel like you were facing troubles before all of this hit?

If you answered “Yes” to either or both questions, let me ask you one more question. Have you been focusing on the world or have you been focusing on Jesus?

There is an old saying that you will find what you look for. There is so much truth to this. If you are looking for wealth, then you will only see things that have a monetary value and you will miss the things that God blesses us with that are priceless. It is a matter of perspective. You see what you want to see. If you look at life through the perspective of the world, then all you will see are troubles. If you look at life through the perspective of being a follower of Jesus, then no matter what the world tries to make you see, you will see grace and mercy.

Don’t get me wrong. We are only human and we all will falter and see things through worldly eyes, but we don’t have to see things that way!

A friend has a saying that I think is fantastic. He says, “I have never had a bad day. I have had bad things happen on a good day, but I have never had a bad day!” I love how his attitude fulfills the very essence of John 16:33. He keeps his eyes on Jesus and by doing so, he reminds himself that Jesus is with him no matter what. I don’t know about you, but knowing that Jesus is with me makes all of my days good! Remind yourself that Jesus has overcome the world the next time that you feel you are facing troubles in this world.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV))

Do you feel as though you are having trouble?

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery
Visit us on facebook

Know God and know peace

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV))

My Sunday School class has been discussing the topic of peace for the last few weeks. We seem to have discussed all aspects of the topic, including the question, “Is there a difference between physical peace and spiritual peace?”

Think about that question for a moment.

Can you be at peace when the whole world is falling apart around you?

Can you be at peace when you are faced with physical danger?

Can you be at peace even when you may face physical death?

Would you be at peace if your were told that you must deny your faith in Jesus or die?

I know that these are tough questions that I ask, but be honest with yourself. Can your faith withstand these tests? Would you be able to look the enemy in the eye and proudly and loudly proclaim that Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior? Would you be at peace with your answer?

Peace, as the world see it, is not how the Body of Christ sees it. I honestly think that the peace the passes understanding is a direct result of faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
(Hebrews 11:1 (NIV))

Can you have peace if you are not sure of the hope that we have in Jesus?

Godly peace is a strange and difficult concept for the world to understand. To be honest with you, I can see why they would have trouble. God’s peace requires faith. Faith is a certainty of what we hope for. It is a certainty of what we cannot see. To those who refuse to acknowledge that there is something more to this life than what we can see, I can understand, yet, I have questions for them.

Can you see the wind? We all know that it is there.

Can we see a molecule or an atom? We are not actually able to see these building blocks, yet, we take them as truth.

We have a peace about us when it comes to the wind. We have a peace about us when it comes to the building blocks, yet, many do not have a peace when it comes to God.

I pray that we will all have the peace that passes understanding and that we may stand firm in our faith no matter what we may face. This reminds me of the old saying:

No God – No Peace
Know God – Know Peace

” ` “The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” ‘
(Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Copyright 1998 – 2013 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery