peace

The Answer

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Jesus said, “I pray for them…that they may be one as We are…” John 17:9-11

There is a path that I walk as much as I am able to do so. The walk takes you along a wonderfully expansive park with wide open spaces that includes playgrounds and picnic tables spread along a waterfront path. As I walk, invariably I will wave or say hello to those I meet, and a wave or smile is almost always returned. It’s occurred to me that I really don’t know the lives of all of the people I meet. What are their discouragements or their joys. Do they have family or friends they are close to? What keeps them up at night, or makes them laugh. In the moment we pass each other, they are just fellow journey takers out to enjoy the day. How disconnected we really are from one another. Perhaps that’s why two thousand years ago, Jesus prayed for us.

Yes, Jesus actually prays for you.

Interesting to think about that statement for a minute. To think that the Savior of the world is praying for us is a mind bender for me. His prayer was simple yet powerful, that we would be one as He and the Father are one. Unity is really a decision we need to choose, perhaps on a daily basis. I’d never really thought that I could be the answer to Jesus prayer, but I’ve changed my mindset. I’ve decided to care more about those I meet along life’s journey, yes even those who seem not so easy to like, let alone love. Today, you can be the answer to Jesus’ prayer. I’ll do my best to do my part. Care to join me?

The Journey

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“…I hope to see you while passing through and have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while”. Romans 15:24

Two brothers walk up the hill past our home every morning and every evening. You can almost set your clock by them. Indeed their gait is slow after eight plus decades of making journeys together across this earth, yet time has not diminished their tenacity. Twice each day they make the trek from their home up a long and winding road, to a small crest in the hill, before the journey back home begins. I’ve greeted them often and found that one simple word will cause the journey to pause long enough for a lengthy conversation to issue. “Your garden’s looking good young man,” and, “How’s that bride of yours,” are a few their favorites. Then I began to notice that these conversations happen a lot with neighbors all up and down the hill. Only after a lengthy pause to enjoy their neighbors will the journey will begin again. Recently one of the brothers made the comment to me, “Can you do something about this hill? It’s a bit steep.” Then, a wink.

There Is Power In Fellowship.

Fellowship along your journey makes life worth living. Sometimes we are so focused on the destination that we miss the entire reason we are making a journey to begin with. Find a reason to pause, and chat, and laugh with those who journey with you, and with all those you meet along the way.

The Secret Place

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“Those who dwell in the secret place of the most High shall dwell under the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1

It was after dark and I was already in bed as a young child when I heard the conversation at the front door outside my bedroom. I knew what was going on. No one had to tell me. I’d seen the suitcase before I went to bed, and even as an eight year old I was clever enough to read the atmosphere in the house. I did not know the details, but I knew some of them and that was enough. After a few minutes of muffled conversation outside my door my father came in quietly and said that he was leaving. I knew what that meant also. I asked him not to go and he gave a sad nod and turned to leave anyway. As the door closed behind him, in a moment of fear, my thoughts quickly turned to “where’s Mom”. Then I heard her footfall in the hallway not far from my door and I knew she wasn’t going anywhere. Through tears, as a car started outside, somehow my thoughts turned toward heaven. “God, where are you? Are you leaving too?” The words were just beyond my lips when I felt a flood of peace wash over me that I could not explain. Today I know what that peace was, but as a child, it was simply,

A hug from heaven.

It’s not the first time I’d received such a hug, nor was it the last. I’ve had a lifetime filled with them. So can you. When our thoughts turn toward God, in a moment of sincerity, you are now dwelling in the secret place of the most High, and you are covered by the shadow of the Almighty. And that’s just the beginning. Do yourself a favor today and read Psalm 91. By the end of reading this incredible list of promises from God, you will surely be dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. Thats when the hugs begin.

Rejoice

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“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

When tragedy strikes all we see are shades of gray. Yet if we allow the clouds to part ever so slightly, you will soon

Feel Hope Again.

Yes there are days when it is hard to spot the miracles among our circumstances. We can still choose faith. Habakkuk makes such a choice. “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Through the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” God is your hope in the midst of your circumstances.

Abundance

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“Have you not known, have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.” Isaiah 40:28

The Creator of the universe is always alert, and always hears our prayers. Combine this with the myriad of scriptures that tell us how God, our Heavenly Father, knows exactly what we need from day to day, and exactly how to

Provide Us With Our Daily Bread.

Our job is to trust Him, and reach out in prayer telling Him just that. Simply say Jesus, I trust you! My life is yours. Grant me this day Your daily bread. Whatever Your choices are for me today, I am so grateful.

Prayer Power

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“For He (God) looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens” Job 28:24

Have you ever felt invisible? That no one cares? You shouldn’t. There’s a party in heaven every time an individual reaches out to Jesus. If you’re amazed at how words, pictures, or events go viral, then you’d be shocked at the reaction in Heaven when

You Lift Your Prayers To Jesus.

In that moment God’s incredible attention is completely focused on what you have to say, and your words can shake the very foundations of this earth. Don’t believe the lie that you are invisible. You are a Child of the most high King! Hold your head high and give God praise!

Joy

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Joy is the amazing breeding ground of peace, and joy filled peace yields hope. There is a reason Jesus spent so much time talking about having peace, having joy, and eliminating worry and fear. He knows that with Peace, Joy and Hope,

You Become Unstoppable

There are some days when you will not feel joyful. On those days proclaim the name of “Jesus”. “Jesus, you’ve got this”. “Jesus, what have I to fear for you are with me”. “Jesus, you are all I need”. With Jesus, your gloom and doom emotions don’t stand a chance. Joy will return.

Green Pastures

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“He makes me to lie down in green pastures,” Psalm 23:2

In Psalm 23 Psalm green pastures are a promise, not a proposal! I can say that because the very first verse of the 23rd Psalm says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” In other words, God is all you need, no matter what life throws at you. God is saying to you,

Trust Me, I’ve Got This!” 

Put another way, it doesn’t matter if your surroundings at the moment look rocky or barren because God is already ahead of you making a way. The pasture will be green soon enough! Trust Him!

Reach Up

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“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” Romans 8:26

Jesus said, “My peace I give to you, not as the world gives.” He understood as well as anyone our pain, our struggle, our hurt, our trials, our everything. Sometimes we feel like we pray until there are just no more words to say. At that point the words simply won’t come anymore and we feel a little lost. Where do I go from here?

When The Words Won’t Come, Reach Up

Say “Jesus, I trust You.” He’s right there, even when we have no idea what to pray, or how to pray, and even when we feel like we’ve lost faith. There is an old Hymn that says, “I’m Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, safe and secure from all alarms.” Sometimes, you just need to lean in and reach to Him for help.

Victory

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“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4

God is the very definition of Victory. Hand Him your challenges and He will solve them for you. The fascinating thing is to watch how He does it. I can think of twenty ways that God can solve my problems and sometimes He does what just what I think He will do, and other times, the answer comes out of the blue. What is certain is that one of three things will happen: God will remove the problem; Or, alter the problem to make it manageable because He has a bigger lesson in mind; or, God will change me in ways to overcome the problem. Whatever the victory needs to looks like, victory will come.

Our Job Is To Trust God.

Our God has promised to go before us. 1 John 5:4 likely says it best, saying, “For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world”.