Jesus knew our worries and promised a peace that would overcome them. Not any kind of peace, but a personal peace directly from Him to you! Spiritual Fitness Coach, Alejandro explains this amazing gift.
In Tracing His Promise, Donna Amidon, one of Back to the Bible’s Spiritual Fitness Coaches, invites you on a transformative journey through twenty-five key stories that reveal the intricate tapestry of God’s redemptive plan. Discover the presence of Jesus throughout the entire Bible, even in unexpected corners of the Old Testament! With engaging discussion questions, captivating artwork, and printable ornaments for an enriching Advent activity, you’ll be equipped for family, group, or personal study.
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I'm Alejandro Duran and today we are going to look at how Jesus longs to replace our worries with his peace. On April 5, 2010, my stepdad took his last breath. He journeyed through the waters of a cancer diagnosis for two and a half years before he was sent home. And today we mourned the loss, we grieved the outcome of a despicable illness, and I began to fear for the future. I fear for my mother. I fear that she would feel lonely as time passed. I fear the loss will be overwhelming. I fear for my dear mother as she began to do life as a widow. I fear for this unknown territory. I think many may be afraid of being alone. God created us to be in community. The thought of being alone is in plan A. Community is. Jesus had a perfect understanding of this concept. We worship a triune god who lives in perfect community, working in our lives, in distinct roles, and this is good news for us today. When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit for his church, he said this in John 1427, "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 trouble, neither let them be afraid." I don't know about you, but this promise is comforting to my heart because it is personal. Jesus isn't suggesting leaving the concept or comfort of peace. He's promised his own peace. He promised himself to indwell your and my life. It's a supernatural peace that isn't available on amazon.com or your local Walmart. And it isn't peace that you and I get from the comfort of any earthly circumstance. What you and I get is Jesus himself through the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we do not need to be afraid of being alone. Wow, what a word, right? But I must confess that at times I think of my Holy Trinity as God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Scriptures, meaning that the Holy Spirit is nowhere to be found in my theology, yet the reality is that he is so present and powering, personal and able to help teach, remember, and aid our hearts to not be afraid. My stepfather's terminal illness was the event that God used to bring many to the feet of Jesus, including my sweet mother. And through it all, she wasn't alone. She enjoyed an unprecedented peace that would surpass all understanding at the core of loss and grief, being afraid of the unknown, was replaced with the peace of Jesus, guarding her heart and mind. We all have reasons to fear and worry. Mental illness, job security, public speaking, plane rides, relationships going south, loneliness, you name it. They all have the ability to increase our anxiety. But Jesus has given us an invitation to win our days with his very presence, establishing a shield of protection over our hearts and minds, so that we will not be trouble. Now, let's take a few minutes today, or better, right now, to remember and meditate in his words, "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 trouble, neither let them be afraid." So fear not, because it is the Father's good pleasure to never leave you nor forsake you. Now, go and win today. (upbeat music) [BLANK_AUDIO]
