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Peace

Peace
Words of Faith 2-6-17
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 14
[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

So what happens when the Holy Spirit moves in? Peace. A primary product of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life is peace. This peace is not an exemption from difficulties. Far from it. For Jesus there was still a trial to come.
The Scripture says that Jesus Himself was "troubled" by the impending crucifixion (12:27). But the peace Jesus was talking about is a deep confidence in God that carries us through troubling times. When we are confident of God’s presence with us and His sovereign plan, we will have peace that surpasses understanding even in the face of the most difficult of situations. It is not something we can produce or prepare. It is something we can and must surrender to.
The peace that Jesus had was rooted in a confidence of the Father's love and approval. This is different from any peace discussed or offered in the world. The world can give only false or temporary “peace”. It is not the deep abiding peace that the Lord gives. The false peace of the world often comes from either ignorance of peril or self-reliance.
Jesus was fully aware of the suffering and distress confronting him yet he had confidence in the purpose and power of the Father. He could move without hesitation through the Garden of Gethsemane and toward the cross without fear.
The peace of the Lord Jesus was a source of courage for the disciples. Jesus repeated the words of comfort he had spoken earlier: "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (14:1). The disciples were increasingly distressed as they contemplated Jesus' departure but Jesus spoke words that they could call on in the difficult hours ahead. These same words speak to us centuries later. In our most difficult times, Jesus says to us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Paul teaches us that peace is the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Fruit is something that grows naturally. We do not produce it. This fruit of peace is one of the clear signs that we have been saved by faith and that the Father and Son have made a home in us by the presence of the Holy Spirit (14:23). The lack of peace-- discord, fits of rage, dissensions, factions and envy-- is a sign that we are still controlled by our sinful nature and not the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
So how about it? Are you experiencing the peace of God? If not, it may be that you have slipped back into trusting your flesh rather than the Spirit. It is also possible that the Lord has never moved into your life. This happens when we trust Him by faith and invite Him in. Do you have peace? It is available today for the asking.

Lord, I choose to trust You this day. Forgive me of my sin and make my life Your home. Come into me and manifest the fruit of Your Spirit in my life. Give me Your peace. Clear aside the fear. Vanquish the turmoil. Speak to the storm and give me Your calm. In Jesus’ name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2002, 2017
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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SUBSCRIPTIONS - To receive the Words of Faith devotion five days a week, send an E-mail message addressed to join-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. To stop receiving Words of Faith, send an E-mail message addressed to unsubscribe-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.

Gladness
Words of Faith 2-7-17
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 14
[28] "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. [29] I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

How do we deal with the loss of a loved one in the Lord? How do we respond when a Christian friend or family member departs to be with the Lord? Of course we experience grief. Even when such losses are expected they are not easy.
Jesus grieved at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus even knowing that he would return to this life. The sting of loss is very real. Yet Jesus told His disciples that they should be glad in such a time. How can that be?
Paul instructed that though we may grieve we are not to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13). Why? Jesus gives us two reasons why this is true.
First, the Lord is coming back for us. Jesus said, “I am going away and I am coming back to you.” No matter our sense of loss, it is always outweighed by the great truth that the Lord is coming back for us. This is His promise. This is His commitment. He is coming to make all things right. He is coming back to swallow up the sting of death in the great victory of resurrection. Thanks be to God.
Second, we have joy because a departed loved one is with the Lord. Jesus was clear that if the disciples really loved Him, they would be glad He was going to the Father. What greater joy can there be than this? What greater reunion could there ever be? If we should be glad for Jesus to depart and be with the Father, then we can also be glad for our loved one who departs to be with the Lord.
The loss of those we love is painful. We hurt. We ache. But we can also be glad for our loved one or friend who knows the Lord. We can rejoice and be glad.
Here is a good question. Will our loved ones be able to have that same gladness in the event of our mortal death? Do those closest to you know that you have made a commitment trusting in Christ for your place in eternity? If you have never made such a commitment, now would be a great time. If you have never communicated that commitment to those you love the most, why not now? There are very few things that could be as important as giving those you love the assurance that they will see you again in eternity.

Lord, I give thanks for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for Your grace by which I am freely saved. I pray that You will grant me gladness even in the midst of grief. In Jesus’ name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2002, 2017
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUBSCRIPTIONS - To receive the Words of Faith devotion five days a week, send an E-mail message addressed to join-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. To stop receiving Words of Faith, send an E-mail message addressed to unsubscribe-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.