gift of peace…
Anini Beach, located on the North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
Have you ever been to Kauai, Hawaii? It is one of my favorite places to vacation. There are places you can find on the island that are very serene, uncrowded, and peaceful. The definition of serene is “calm, peaceful, and free from worry, disturbance, or agitation.” This is an accurate description of this beach. You can truly find the rest and peace you need while visiting this location. Even the picture shows a sense of tranquility. If anyone has an opportunity to travel here, it is truly a gift.
Speaking of gifts,, Jesus said in John 14:27 that He left us with a gift of peace. A gift is defined as an item or service given to someone voluntarily without expecting payment or anything in return. Jesus Christ has given us the gift of peace. We must ask ourselves, am I utilizing the gift of peace I have been given?
Jesus said the gift he gives us is peace of mind and heart. If we are not experiencing peace in our mind and heart, then what gift have we received? We will experience trouble and suffering in this world (John 16:33). The world’s gift can make us feel troubled, abandoned, distraught and discouraged,
“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]" John 14:27 AMPC
We can receive the peace of God today. Just say it with me, Lord Jesus, I receive your gift of peace. Then we can make the decision not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid, and we can stop allowing ourselves to be agitated and disturbed, fearful and intimidated, cowardly, or unsettled. We do not have to accept what the world offers us. Instead, we can choose today to live with Jesus’ gift of perfect peace and wholeness. Amen.
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Love, Dr. Carla