This is eternal life - to know the Father the only true God

In his Last Supper discourse with his beloved disciples Jesus speaks of his glory and the glory of his Father. What is this glory? It is the cross which Jesus speaks of here and the willing offering of his life for us. How does the cross reveal this glory? In the cross God reveals the breadth of his great love for sinners and the power of Jesus' redemptive sacrifice which cancels the debt of sin and reverses the curse of our condemnation (Romans 8:1). Jesus gave his Father the supreme honor and glory through his obedience and willingness to go to the cross for our sake. In times of defense the greatest honor belongs not to those who fought and survived but to those who gave the supreme sacrifice of their own lives for their fellow citizens.The Lord Jesus freely and willingly offered up his life out of obedience to his Father and love for us.

Jesus reveals the glory of God to us

Jesus speaks of the Father bringing glory to the Son through the great mystery of the Incarnation - the eternal Word who became flesh for our sake (John 1:14) - and the Cross of Christ which won for us pardon, freedom, and new life in the Holy Spirit. God the Father gave us his only begotten Son to set us free from slavery to sin, guilt, and condemnation. His sacrificial death brings us new life - the abundant life of peace and joy which God wishes to share with each one of us. There is no greater proof of God's love for each and every person on the face of the earth than the Cross of Jesus Christ. In the cross we see a new way of love - a love that is merciful, sacrificial, and generous beyond measure.

Jesus offers abundant life without end

Jesus offers us eternal life. What is eternal life? It is more than simply a life without end or an eternal state of being. Science and medicine look for ways to extend the duration of human life - but God offers us something vastly greater and more surpassing than a simple extension of physical life. Eternal life is qualitative more than quantitative. To have eternal life is to have the very life of God within us. When we possess eternal life we experience here and now something of God's majesty, glory, and holiness which he shares with us. Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit, God fills us with the abundant fruit of his peace, joy and love.

We can know God personally

Jesus also speaks of the knowledge of God. Jesus tells his disciples that they can know the only true God. Knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally and be united with God in a personal relationship of love and friendship. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the personal and experiential knowledge of God as our eternal Father - the one who knew us before creation (Ephesians 1:4 and Romans 8:29) and who knit us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13 and Jeremiah 1:5). Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like.

A unity of love that endures forever 

In Jesus Christ we see the perfect love of God - a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the revelation of God - a God who loves us completely, unconditionally and perfectly. Do you hunger to know God personally and to be united with the Father in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the unity of the Holy Spirit who dwells with us? The Lord Jesus invites each of us to enter more deeply into a personal relationship of love and oneness of mind, heart, and spirit with the eternal Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who created us in love for love.

If only I possessed the grace, good Jesus, to be utterly at one with you! Amidst all the variety of worldly things around me, Lord, the only thing I crave is unity with you. You are all my soul needs. Unite, dear friend of my heart, this unique little soul of mine to your perfect goodness.You are all mine; when shall I be yours? Lord Jesus, my beloved, be the magnet of my heart; clasp, press, unite me for ever to your sacred heart. You have made me for yourself; make me one with you. Absorb this tiny drop of life into the ocean of goodness whence it came.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Help me Lord, hear my cries ....

Help in my day of trouble O Lord, 

Here me Lord, do not forsake me Lord.

Help Lord overcome all my past mistakes 

which cause me to be in my current situation. 

Lord I repent for my past actions 

and really want You to help change me 

and deliver me from my troubles. 

Send Your angels Lord 

to lift me up from my troubles. 

I need to raise MYR 1000 

to settle my pending problems. 

I know Lord You have said 

"Do no be afraid, I am here to deliver you" 

and "Be still and know I am God" 

but Lord my human senses tend 

to make me worry. 

Yet Lord I trust and hope 

in You alone my God. 

I seek You Lord, 

I come knocking at Your door Lord, 

hear my cries and answer me Lord. 

I need Lord now and forever,

cause WITHOUT You 

I am NOTHING Lord.

I believe in You Lord, 

and I know Lord nothing 

is impossible for You.

I thank You Lord for being with me,

I thank You Lord for all You have DONE 

and in the process of DOING.

I trust You will make a way for me,

to attain my need in this urgent time.

Your miraculous wonders will some how

direct the blessing to my bank account.

You work in mysterious ways 

and Your timing is always perfect.

You alone are Good all the time.

Your cares are upon me.

Have mercy on me O Lord. 

AMEN.

Direct banking (Malaysia only)

Hong Leong Bank
Stanley
AC#-158-50-09065-0

Secure online transaction through PayPal

Prayer for my family

Dear Lord, 

Today and everyday,

please keep my family blessed, loved and protected

by Your unconditional love, mercy and grace.

AMEN.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, abide in me

Holy Spirit, 

Sweet guest of My Soul, 

Abide In Me

and Grant That I May Ever 

abide in You.

* * * * * *

L: In the beginning, at creation, you hovered over the water. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, as by a New Pentecost. 

L: You breathed into Adam a breath of life. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, Breath of God, breathe in us today. 

L: You anointed the prophets and kings. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, anoint us for your service. Send us anew to bring good news to the poor. 

L: To Elijah you came with the sound of a gentle breeze, to the Apostles with the sound of a mighty wind. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, in your gentleness and might. 

L: You are the living water, the river of life that brings fruitfulness and joy. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, flow freely in your Church. 

L: You overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, overshadow us today with your power, that the will of God may be accomplished in us and through us. 

L: You appeared as a dove at the baptism of Jesus Christ. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, fill the world anew with the gift of your peace. 

L: You came at Pentecost fulfilling the promise of the Father. You filled the disciples of Jesus who had gathered in prayer and appeared with tongues of fire. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, lead us anew to Jesus Christ. May we be baptised with Holy Spirit and fire. 

L: You are the love of God poured into our hearts. 

A: Come Holy Spirit, make us one. Fill us and empower us with your presence that we may live in love as sons and daughters of God.

Lord Jesus, I believe that you are risen from the dead and that you are alive. I give you my life. By the power of your Holy Spirit draw me deeper into you and help me to live for you in every aspect of my life. I renounce everything that would separate me from you and I proclaim you as the only Lord of my life. Amen.

Help me O Lord, have mercy, hear my cries and help me

Dear Lord, I surrender my overwhelming financial difficulties and worries unto Your care. So very often I have no money left of my earnings or limited balance sufficient for essentials like my daily travel cost to work and food. My financial problems often trigger a storm cloud of conflicting feelings like fear, pride, and anger that block a clear vision of all the issues involved.In times like these I only can pray to You as I need You the most. Without You Lord, I am nothing, all my trust and hope is in You alone, Show me peace so that I can hear Your wisdom and the patience and tolerance necessary in knowing that You have everything under control. Keep me mindful of my blessings no matter how much or little I may have. Help me make the most of every moment of each and every brand new day to come in my life. Show me Your mercy O lord and deliver me from my distress. You are the light of the world, take away all the darkness and replace it with Your light that defeats all darkness. As life goes on, may I know Your presence with me, guide me by Your Spirit and show me the way that Your have made for me. Lord, You are the way, the truth and the life and in Your mighty name JESUS, I pray. AMEN.

I also place my efforts of receiving or attaining the funds I need into the patronage of Mother Mary, the mother of my Lord and Saviour Jesus and also she my mother too. I truly believe whatever the mother ask her son, He will surely make great effort in fulfilling the request like Jesus first miracle in Cana, even He was ready to perform His first miracle due to His beloved mother request, when the wine had run out during the wedding, Mary told Jesus and He changed jars of water into the best wine. Lord I too want to experience a miraculous wonder like this in overcoming my pressing financial issues. Amen.

http://resource4christians.blogspot.my/2017/05/help-god-i-need-your-urgent-help-please.html

And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours 

according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:19 ~

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you 

and that you may be in good health, 

just as it is well with your soul.

~ 3 John 2 ~

The Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven

Why did Jesus leave his disciples forty days after his resurrection? Forty is a significant number in the Scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. For forty days after his resurrection Jesus appeared numerous times to his disciples to assure them that he had risen indeed and to prepare them for the task of carrying on the work which he began during his earthy ministry.

The Risen Lord is with us always to the end of time 

Jesus' departure and ascension into heaven was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them with power from on high on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan (Luke 3:21-22, 4:1,18). When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Risen Lord empowers us to carry on his work 

Why did the Risen Lord ascend into heaven? The Father raised the glorified body of his Son and enthroned him in glory at his right hand in heaven. The Lord Jesus in his glorified body now reigns as Lord over the heavens and the earth - over all that he has created. The Risen Lord reigns from the throne in heaven as our Merciful Redeemer and Gracious King. He intercedes for us and he empowers us through the outpouring of his Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus gives us new life in his Spirit and he strengthens us in faith, hope and love so we can serve him and carry on his work as citizens of his kingdom here on earth.

You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth 

Jesus' last words to his disciples point to the key mission and task he has entrusted to his followers on earth - to be his witnesses and ambassadors to the ends of the earth so that all peoples, tribes, and nations may hear the good news that Jesus Christ has come to set us free from sin, Satan, and death and has won for us a kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness that will last forever.

How can we be effective witnesses for Christ? Jesus told his disciples, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you - and you shall be my witnesses... to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus gives his followers the same power he received when the Holy Spirit came upon him and anointed him at the beginning of his mission (John 1:32-33). The Gospel is the power of God, the power to release people from their burden of sin, guilt, and oppression, and the power to heal, restore, and make us whole. Do you believe in the power of the Gospel to change and transform your life?

We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ 

Paul the Apostle reminds us that we are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Just as ambassadors are appointed to represent their country and to speak on behalf of their nation's ruler, we, too are appointed by the Lord Jesus to speak on his behalf and to bring others into a close and personal encounter with the Lord and Ruler of heaven and earth. This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task - to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the Gospel and the reality of your great victory over sin and death.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Help God, I need Your urgent help, please help me Lord have mercy on me and do not forsake me

Help in my day of trouble O Lord, 

Here me Lord, do not forsake me Lord.

Help Lord overcome all my past mistakes 

which cause me to be in my current situation. 

Lord I repent for my past actions 

and really want You to help change me 

and deliver me from my troubles. 

Send Your angels Lord 

to lift me up from my troubles. 

I need to raise MYR 1000 

to settle my pending problems. 

I know Lord You have said 

"Do no be afraid, I am here to deliver you" 

and "Be still and know I am God" 

but Lord my human senses tend 

to make me worry. 

Yet Lord I trust and hope 

in You alone my God. 

I seek You Lord, 

I come knocking at Your door Lord, 

hear my cries and answer me Lord. 

I need Lord now and forever,

cause WITHOUT You 

I am NOTHING Lord.

I believe in You Lord, 

and I know Lord nothing 

is impossible for You.

I thank You Lord for being with me,

I thank You Lord for all You have DONE 

and in the process of DOING.

I trust You will make a way for me,

to attain my need in this urgent time.

Your miraculous wonders will some how

direct the blessing to my bank account.

You work in mysterious ways 

and Your timing is always perfect.

You alone are Good all the time.

Your cares are upon me.

Have mercy on me O Lord. 

AMEN.

Direct banking (Malaysia only)

Hong Leong Bank
Stanley
AC#-158-50-09065-0

Secure online transaction through PayPal

Saint Anne Feast and Novena 2017, St.Anne Catholic Church, Bukit Mertajam

St.Anne's

Novena & Feast

21 July 2017 ~ 30 July 2017

Email: stanne@stannebm.org.

URL: Live Streaming

http://www.youtube.com/user/liveOnlinePenang

Keep me O God in the palm of Your Hand

Lord JESUS, 

Here I am, 

I trust in You, 

You are my God,

My life is in Your hands!

You know my heart,

You know my cares,

You know my worries,

You know the things that make me afraid.

Lord JESUS with Your mighty hands,

supply my needs,

as You fed the thousands,

healed the sick,

calmed the storm,

raised the dead,

so keep me, O Lord, my God,

in the Palm of Your hand!

When the Counselor comes, the Spirit of truth

Where do you find help and support when you most need it? True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers his disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). How does the Holy Spirit help us as the counselor? Counselor is a legal term for the person who defends someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who guides and strengthens us and brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life.

Person and role of the Holy Spirit 

As Jesus approaches the hour he was to be glorified - through his death on the cross and his resurrection - he revealed more fully to his disciples the person and role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who makes faith come alive in hearts and minds of people who are receptive to God's word.

The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to know God personally. He gives us experiential knowledge of God as our Father. The Spirit witnesses to our spirit that the Father has indeed sent his only begotten Son into the world to redeem it and has raised his Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead and has seated him at his right hand in glory and power.

The Holy Spirit reveals to us the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God for the ages and the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith" what the Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit we become witnesses to the great work of God in Christ Jesus.

Spirit strengthens us in faith and courage 

Jesus warned his disciples that they could expect persecution just as Jesus was opposed and treated with hostility. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Spirit gives us courage and perseverance when we meet adversities and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give you courage and perseverance when you meet adversities and challenges?

O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Abide in my love

Do you know the love that no earthly power nor death itself can destroy? The love of God the Father and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is a creative, life-giving love that produces immeasurable joy and lasting friendship for all who accept it. God loves the world so much because he created it to reflect his glory. And he created each one of us in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). He wants us to be united with himself in an inseparable bond of unity, peace, and joy that endures for all eternity. That is why the Father sent his Son, the Lord Jesus, into the world, not to condemn it, but to redeem it from the curse of sin and death (John 3:16-17). Paul the Apostle tells us that we can abound in joy and hope because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5).

Through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God offers pardon for all of our sins and failings, and he calls us to lay aside everything that might hold us back from loving him above all else. We owe him a debt of gratitude and love in return. We can never outmatch God because he has loved us first and has given himself to us without measure. Our love for him is a response to his exceeding mercy and kindness towards us. In God's love alone can we find the fulness of abundant life, peace, and joy.

A new commandment of love 

The Lord Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment - a new way of love that goes beyond giving only what is required or what we think others might deserve. What is the essence of Jesus' new commandment of love? It is love to the death - a purifying love that overcomes selfishness, fear, and pride. It is a total giving of oneself for the sake of others - a selfless and self-giving love that is oriented towards putting the welfare of others ahead of myself.

There is no greater proof in love than the sacrifice of one's life for the sake of another. Jesus proved his love by giving his life for us on the cross of Calvary. Through the shedding of his blood for our sake, our sins are not only washed clean, but new life is poured out for us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We prove our love for God and for one another when we embrace the way of the cross. What is the cross in my life? When my will crosses with God's will, then God's will must be done. Do you know the peace and joy of a life fully surrendered to God and consumed with his love?

Lord Jesus, may I always grow in the joy and hope which your promises give me. Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for my neighbor. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Help me my Lord my God, hear me Lord

Help in my day of trouble O Lord, 

Here me Lord, do not forsake me Lord.

Help Lord overcome all my past mistakes 

which cause me to be in my current situation. 

Lord I repent for my past actions 

and really want You to help change me 

and deliver me from my troubles. 

Send Your angels Lord 

to lift me up from my troubles. 

I need to raise MYR 1000 

to settle my pending problems. 

I know Lord You have said 

"Do no be afraid, I am here to deliver you" 

and "Be still and know I am God" 

but Lord my human senses tend 

to make me worry. 

Yet Lord I trust and hope 

in You alone my God. 

I seek You Lord, 

I come knocking at Your door Lord, 

hear my cries and answer me Lord. 

I need Lord now and forever,

cause WITHOUT You 

I am NOTHING Lord.

I believe in You Lord, 

and I know Lord nothing 

is impossible for You.

I thank You Lord for being with me,

I thank You Lord for all You have DONE 

and in the process of DOING.

I trust You will make a way for me,

to attain my need in this urgent time.

Your miraculous wonders will some how

direct the blessing to my bank account.

You work in mysterious ways 

and Your timing is always perfect.

You alone are Good all the time.

Your cares are upon me.

Have mercy on me O Lord. 

AMEN.

Hong Leong Bank
Stanley
AC#-158-50-09065-0

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer

I urgently need some help Lord, I know Lord that I may not be worthy of Your help. Have mercy on me Lord and hear my cries from my heart to You, I really need Your help in overcoming my overwhelming financial difficulties. I am only human Lord, and I worry but I know that my faith may be small yet I always believe that You are always with me especially in my lowest times. Please Lord send me You angel to help me, lift me and bring Your miraculous blessing and help. Do not forsake me Lord but hear me and answer my prayer. I make this prayer in Your most mighty and holy name JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

Send me Your help through some Good Samaritan like "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" (Luke 10:25-37)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” 

Abide in me, and I in you

Why does Jesus speak of himself as the true vine? The image of the vine was a rich one for the Jews since the land of Israel was covered with numerous vineyards. It had religious connotations to it as well. Isaiah spoke of the house of Israel as "the vineyard of the Lord"(Isaiah 5:7). Jeremiah said that God had planted Israel "as his choice vine" (Jeremiah 2:21). While the vine became a symbol of Israel as a nation, it also was used in the Scriptures as a sign of degeneration - a deformed state of spiritual growth and moral decline. Isaiah's prophecy spoke of Israel as a vineyard which "yielded wild grapes" (see Isaiah 5:1-7). Jeremiah said that Israel had become a "degenerate and wild vine" (Jeremiah 2:21).

One must be firmly rooted in the "Tree of Life" 

When Jesus calls himself the true vine he makes clear that no one can grow in spiritual fruitfulness and moral goodness unless they are rooted in God and in his life-giving word. Religious affiliation or association with spiritually minded people is not sufficient by itself - one must be firmly rooted in the "Tree of Life" (Revelation 22:1-2, Genesis 2:8-9) who is the eternal Father and his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus makes a claim which only God can make - he is the true source of life that sustains us and makes us fruitful in living the abundant life which God has for us. It is only through Jesus Christ that one can be fully grafted into the true "vineyard of the Lord".

Bearing the fruit of righteousness, peace, and joy 

Jesus offers true life - the abundant life which comes from God and which results in great fruitfulness. How does the vine become fruitful? The vine dresser must carefully prune the vine before it can bear good fruit. Vines characteristically have two kinds of branches - those which bear fruit and those which don't. The non-bearing branches must be carefully pruned back in order for the vine to conserve its strength for bearing good fruit. Jesus used this image to describe the kind of life he produces in those who are united with him - the fruit of"righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Jesus says there can be no fruit in our lives apart from him. The fruit he speaks of here is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).

There is a simple truth here: We are either fruit-bearing or non-fruit-bearing. There is no in-between. But the bearing of healthy fruit requires drastic pruning. The Lord promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him and allow him to purify us. Do you trust in the Lord's healing and transforming power to give you the abundant life and fruit of his heavenly kingdom?

Lord Jesus, may I be one with you in all that I say and do. Draw me close that I may glorify you and bear fruit for your kingdom. Inflame my heart with your love and remove from it anything that would make me ineffective or unfruitful in loving and serving you as my All.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

My peace I give to you

Do you know the peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)? In his farewell discourse Jesus grants peace as his gift to his disciples. What kind of peace does he offer? The peace of Christ is more than the absence of trouble. It includes everything which makes for our highest good. The world's approach to peace is avoidance of trouble and a refusal to face unpleasant things. Jesus offers the peace which conquers our fears and anxieties. Nothing can take us from the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. No sorrow or grief, no danger, no suffering can make it less.

The true nature of peace

How can we attain the peace which the Lord Jesus offers his followers? Through the gift and work of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, the Lord Jesus shows us how to yield our passions of anger, fear, and pride to him so we can receive his gift of peace. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and strengthens us with his gifts and supernatural virtues which enable us to live as wise and holy disciples of Christ. 

Caesarius of Arles (470-542 AD), an early church bishop in Gaul who was noted for his godly wisdom and preaching of Scripture, linked peace with the character of Christ and the Christlike virtues which help us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Caesarius describes some of the key character traits (virtues) which form us into true people of peace:

"Peace, indeed, is serenity of mind, tranquility of soul, simplicity of heart, the bond of love, the fellowship of charity. It removes hatred, settles wars, restrains wrath, tramples on pride, loves the humble, pacifies the discordant and makes enemies agree. For it is pleasing to everyone. It does not seek what belongs to another or consider anything as its own. It teaches people to love because it does not know how to get angry, or to extol itself or become inflated with pride. It is meek and humble to everyone, possessing rest and tranquility within itself. When the peace of Christ is exercised by a Christian, it is brought to perfection by Christ. If anyone loves it, he will be an heir of God, while anyone who despises it rebels against Christ. 

"When our Lord Jesus Christ was returning to the Father, he left his peace to his followers as their inherited good, teaching them and saying, 'My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you.' Anyone who has received this peace should keep it, and one who has destroyed it should look for it, while anyone who has lost it should seek it. For if anyone is not found with it, he will be disinherited by the Father and deprived of his inheritance." (Sermon 174.1)

Destiny with the Father 

Jesus speaks to his disciples about his destination - and their destiny as well. He tells them in plain words that he must return to his Father in heaven (John 14:28). If his disciples truly love him for who he is - the only begotten Son of the Father, then they will rejoice that Jesus will ascend to the throne of God and be reunited with his Father in heaven.

Jesus also speaks of his struggle - his passion, suffering and death which he undertook on the cross to redeem us from slavery to sin and death. Jesus called Satan the "ruler of this world" (John 14:30) who seeks to rob people of peace and friendship with God. Jesus defeated the evil one through his death and resurrection and won pardon and peace for all who believe in him.The victory of the cross brought glory to Jesus and to the Father and it is our way to glory with the Father in heaven as well. In the Cross of Christ we find true peace and reconciliation with God our Father. Do you live in the peace of Jesus Christ?

"Lord Jesus, may your peace be always with me. May no troubling thought, trial or affliction rob me of the peace which passes all understanding. You, alone, O Lord, are my Peace. May I always reside in that peace by believing in your word and by doing your will.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East