LEARNING DAILY

2 Thessalonians 3:16, Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Do you remember where the disciples were after Jesus had been crucified and after He had risen? According to John 20:19 they were in the Upper Room behind locked doors because they feared the Jews. Pastor Ed Newton said this weekend, “The disciples were in fear of what tomorrow might bring”. They were afraid that the Jewish leaders were coming after them for being the followers of Jesus. Yet, Jesus came to be with them. He gave them His Word which was attached to His promises and attached to Him” (Pastor Newton). In other words, the Lord Jesus was telling them to have peace instead of fear they were to keep their eyes focused on Him.

The message this weekend at Community Bible Church was about peace. Go back and read the verse from 2 Thessalonians again and you will discover that one’s peace is found In the Lord Jesus Himself; He gives peace to those whose faith is in Him at all times, in every situation. Pastor Newton said, “If there is no internal peace there will never be external peace. One will never know eternal peace without internal peace!”  Read that again – slowly. It is because of grace – God’s grace – that all who believe in Jesus can find peace; “by placing one’s faith in Jesus, He chases us and sustains us in every situation” (Pastor Newton).

He asked this question, “If you say you lost your peace, where did it go?” He continued, “When there is an absence of peace, fear takes its place.” Pastor Newton’s message was centered on the words “peace” and “piece”. How often do we allow pieces (a situation that might be caused by people, not knowing our purpose, personal health, being in the right place, and the problem of need versus want) to cause us to take our eyes off Jesus? For example, is there a person who has caused you to be troubled and focus on that situation? Have you locked yourself up to where that situation has consumed your life? Perhaps, your focus has been consumed on what your real purpose is or you have become consumed with a health issue. Has fear locked you behind doors of an “Upper Room”? Be careful that you have not allowed the piece that troubles you to become bigger to you than God’s ability to fix it.

Pastor Newton pointed out when the disciples were locked in the Upper Room, fearing what might happen, Jesus showed up with “no judgment, only grace and forgiveness”. Their anxiety – fear of the unknown” – was changed because Jesus showed up. He does that for each of us in those things, those pieces we tend to focus on causes us to take our eyes off Him. Pastor Newton mentioned part of the solution is to die to self and allow Christ to be greater in our lives than any piece that tries to disrupt the peace He gives.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).  “One does not lose their peace; they just misplace it” (Pastor Newton). Allow the Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign in your life by walking on a narrow way which leads to eternity in His kingdom with Him!

Jesus said, “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). He does not run out of peace; He has an abundance of it.