Subscription Lists

What type of year has it been for you? Whatever has happened in your life each of us is going to need that real peace – the peace of God – and only Jesus Christ can impart this quality and depth of peace.

We read in John 14 verse 27 of Peace – we read of Jesus Christ’s last will and testament – Jesus Christ is making His Will. This is His legacy.

Jesus had nothing else to leave – no money – no property or material possessions to divide among the men he called and trained and loved.

He bequeathed His peace. Could there have been a more priceless possession than just that – and at that particular time?

How often we pray – grant me Peace – let Your Peace be with me – may I know Your Peace.

“Take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of Thy peace.”

Our modern lives are assaulted and invaded by so much noise – and rush – and perhaps pressure of burdens – that peace can become an illusive quality or possession.

Is it the fault of the world around us – or society in general – the worry and fret and fear – things do not go as we thought they would – they never do!

These disciples of Jesus were facing days of turmoil – and then years of turmoil in various shapes and forms.

The peace which Jesus offered had little to do with a sheltered life of ease and relaxation.

“My peace I give to you.” My peace – the peace that I have known over these past years – I give to you – attacked by the devil – hunted – criticised – aware of plots and schemes to get rid of Him.

Jesus did not speak of His peace often but you can sense it on various pages of the Gospels – the paralysed man – the leper – the storm on the lake – the 5,000 hungry men when there were only five little loaves and two fish – and very little privacy as people sought Him.

O, the disciples wanted to call down fire upon a Samaritan village – but not so Jesus.

When Jesus spoke on the Lake – Peace be still – was He not also speaking to fearful hearts, as well as the raging winds and waters?

They warned Him about going to Jerusalem – there is danger in the air – they are out to get You – but He went!

Jesus appeared to exude and display an inner calm. Jesus was always in control on the situation and the circumstances.

From Bethlehem to Nazareth and from Nazareth to Calvary, there is this strong untroubled peace.

O that was all right for Jesus. It was marvellous and magnificent, and we like to read of it and sing of it – but for us – never!

My peace I give to you – to you who know what it is to be upset and concerned and wondering what is going to happen – to you who are going to disappear when I am arrested and crucified.

Jesus had the peace of adequate resources. Jesus knew He would make it through these three years.

Jesus knew he would make it through these next 24 hours.

His resources were in His Father – His Father’s care and love, and that ability to raise Him from the dead – Jesus knew that.

I cannot find a moment when Jesus wondered as to what He would do next.

As you look back on the year which is over, and look forward and ahead to another year, may you know the peace of God – and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, as you travel through these next days and weeks.

“Loving Father, we take this moment to bow in worship and give thanks. Another year closes and soon a ‘fresh page’ will confront us. As we give thanks for Your presence and for the blessings we have experienced, enable us to trust You totally for the days and weeks which lie ahead, as we serve and preach and teach and testify – we pray in Jesus Name. Amen”.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Pretzel Love-Psalms 91:14