Here is a bit of what I am studying right now. There are two things that popped out to me in my study from last week.
John 14:27 says: 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.
As I was doing my study I read that and audibly said "wow!" I had to underline the last sentence in that verse. When it came time to answer questions about this passage I was compelled to write down..."I needed this!" I feel a little guilty saying that and for posting this as my study this week was rushed and not a priority. I haven't gotten back into the habit of working on my study daily yet. I will get there though!
I almost wrote of my homework for BSF this week. It wasn't done on Monday night and I didn't really feel like I had the brain power to do it...but I did. I was glad because my discussion group was very small this week and of the 6 of us there, 2 of us did not complete the assignment and could not contribute.
When I read the above scripture I was encouraged and convicted. I was encouraged in knowing that Jesus wanted me to have peace, not worldly peace (i.e. having the house in order, quietly playing kids, etc) but spiritual peace. What a wonderful thing to bestow on someone else. We can try to bring peace to others with our actions but we can never BRING PEACE. What a beautiful gift. It is like nothing I can receive on this earth. Thank you Lord!
In this move, there have been hard times, stressful times, emotional times and times of numbness. However, underneath it all, I have had the "peace that passes all understanding". My God had given me peace! With peace comes confidence and rest. Talk about not giving as the world can give. That is some grade A gift giving! Wohoo!!!
I was convicted by this passage to remember the great gift, the gifts that matter, are mine! I need to focus on that and not take it for granted when my surroundings are scary and unfamiliar.
I also read the rest of this passage. Jesus mentions several times that those who love him will keep his commands. This got me thinking about obedience and love. God wants us to love him. He wants us to express our love in our obedience. It got me thinking about different kinds of love. I thought of my mom.
Those of us who are blessed with a wonderful mom know that we love them. If you think back to being a child and the love you felt for your mom, it was based on her love for you, meeting your needs, caring for you, giving you life, in fact...she is probably the one who taught you to love, right? That kind of love is natural and easy. It is easy to love Jesus for his sacrifices. Anyone who is tortured to death on your behalf (because they love you) is worthy of a love of admiration. A love from a grateful heart.
That is not a bad thing at all! However, I look at my mom and I still love her in that childlike way but as I have gotten older, I got to know my mom as a person. I know her likes, her dislikes, her desires and hopes. I know what she believes and what her convictions are. My mom doesn't have to meet a single need for me now but I love her more because I KNOW her.
How do we know Jesus better? We study the Word. We learn his heart, his desires, his dislikes and likes. Then we realize the person who created us, who saved us, who gives us life, who comforts, us wants us to love Him unconditionally. He wants us to obey his commands. That is what is important to our God.
So folks...get in the word...stay in the word...dust it off if you have to but commit to knowing your God better! That is what the Spirit gave me this week.
0 comments:
Post a Comment