Love and Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

I seriously can’t tell you how much that verse has been on my heart, since well, even over a year ago, perhaps. And maybe, it always had been. I mean, I know have never had peace like I have been feeling lately. So what does that say about Jesus? That is love at the highest. For Him to give you His peace, to have your mind in peace, to sleep in heavenly peace. I’m not quite there but much better than before. How about you? How is your peace. Shalom is such a deeper word.

But then why would be surprised? People are so often when He follows through. It should not comes a shock that He answers prayers. That He is love, joy and peace. Peace is a gift and peace is in the Holy Spirit, if you go back up a verse He will tell you He is sending Him.

And in the Old Testament, He would simply come upon people but after Jesus ascended to heaven, the Spirit came on Pentecost, and people spoke in tongues. Now, not all Christians do but they can ask for that gift. Peace is a gift from God the Father, He gave His Son our punishment for His peace.

Imagine a crown of thorns wound tightly upon your head, our worst headaches are not like that. I have seen the thorns they are thick and about two inches, and they didn’t just gently push it on His head. either. Isaiah 53 tells us that the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, that means He was punished for us , mentally and physically.

Why would anyone take that much punishment or torment? Because He loved us and He was giving us the gift of His peace. Love, joy and peace, they go together, are the first three fruits of the Spirit.  Love and peace go together and equal, you just don’t have one without the other. And none of them without Jesus.

Happiness appears to be fleeting. Jesus is joy. Peace in the world is the absence of war, or quarrels and family feuds, turmoil. His peace is not like the world’s, and He gave us His peace. Now, our hearts can be untroubled and unafraid. Because the Prince of Peace rules our hearts and minds and took our place so we could have His peace. Now, we should really be falling in love with Jesus.

I always thought Jesus was the best gift because, He continually gives. He is always there and understands, and has the answers if we stop worrying and being afraid, and rest in His love. What better gift could you hope to open? Not diamond or pearls, even rubies or gold. Nothing or no amount of money could purchase peace. But Jesus paid with His life to give us His, didn’t He?

Micah 5:5 says He is our peace. And Ephesians 2:14, doubles that, He, Himself is our peace. It doesn’t get better than that! Love and peace. In Jesus.

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