Perfect 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27 NKJV.

Do you believe this promise? Can you begin to wrap your mind around this promise that came to believers right from His own lips? This morning in my oldest daughter's Bible lesson was this promise. I read it over and over considering myself. Do I believe this? Yes, I do!! Does my heart get troubled? At times it does. Why? Because I have failed to imprint this promise on my heart and claim it for my own.

As a growing and maturing Christian, I love to read and study the Word of God. His promises are woven in the text of the Bible throughout every bit of writing from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21! That excites me beyond anything else I can imagine. As I read and study, the Bible comes alive to me. The words that are recorded speak to my soul in ways that I cannot describe.

This morning as I read through this Scripture, I had to stop and think about it. How do I prevent fear and worry to take over? The solution is the same prescription as getting rid of any other negative: more of Him. More of God, more of the Word of God, more time spent in His presence in prayer, fasting and listening for His voice. More following His will and His way for each moment of every day of my life. The closer I draw to Him, the fewer times of fear, hopelessness and despair I will experience.

What about you? Are you ready to take the plunge to trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit? Are you ready to believe that He can give you lasting and perfect peace? Are you willing to take the time to memorize and study the Word of God so you will be able to claim His promises for your life?

We do not live in a perfect world. Jesus told us we will have times of trouble, but in the same breath He promised that He is in control (John 16:33). Will you allow Him to be in control? Will you take the time necessary to develop a deep and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Will you call on Him and obey His voice so you can accept His gift of everlasting peace and eternal life?

Consider it dear one. Jesus loves you and will come to you if only you will call on Him. "Jesus said to Him, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6 NKJV).

Grace Revealed

Easter is almost upon us and I can't help but think of the sacrifice that was made for believers once for all time. All those years ago, Jesus walked His final footsteps on the dusty paths of this Earth on His way to the cross. What must He have been thinking? I'm sure I don't know, but I know His heart must have been overflowing with love because at any point in time He could have called on "more than twelve legions of angels" (Matthew 26:53 NKJV) to come to His rescue and changed the course of life for all of us.

If Jesus hadn't died on the cross we all would be getting what we deserve, death (Romans 6:23). Because of His sacrifice, we have the choice to spend eternity with Him. Have you made your choice? You may think you have all kinds of time, but only God knows the time you will leave this earth. It is reality. We are all born and we all die. There is hope though. Hope in a risen Saviour who went to the cross and died for the sins of anyone who will humble themselves and pray for the forgiveness that only Jesus can give (John 3:16).

But the story didn't end there. It didn't end on the cross. The story continued. Three days later, Christ rose from the grave. He defeated death and the grave. He defeated the enemy of humankind. Jesus defeated the powers of sin in our lives. We can choose to live our lives in obedience to God (Romans 6:12-14). Isn't that an exciting promise? Looking toward Easter, what better gift could you receive than the one Jesus holds out to you now - the gift of eternal life with Him. He is holding it out to you, waiting for you to accept it.

If you would like to accept His gift of salvation here are the steps from a post I wrote last year titled The Greatest Promise.

If you are not a Christian but would like to join the family of God, the steps to becoming part of the family are very simple. The first thing one must do is admit that they are a sinner because we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are all sinners and make mistakes. It does not matter how many good things we do, we are still sinners. With this admission we also need to realize that the penalty for being a sinner is death (Romans 6:23). We neither deserve to live eternally, nor do we deserve forgiveness, yet God has so graciously provided a way. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we can come to Him.


The next step is to believe with everything in you that Jesus Christ died for your sins (Romans 5:8). He died for each of us, but it is important that you make it personal. Can you say, Jesus Christ died for my sins, and truly, completely in your heart know it and believe it? If you are struggling with this truth, I recommend you read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Read them praying that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes so you may see the truth of what Jesus has done for you.

Last but not least; you must commit your life into His capable hands (Romans 10:8-10). Confess to the Lord that you need Him to lead and guide your life. Give your life into the hands of God and let Him make the changes He desires in your life. He created you and has a plan for your life. Will you submit to Him and give Him full control?

May this Easter find you at peace and part of the family of God. Wherever you are, whoever you are remember, God loves you. He adores you and as one of my favorite hymns says, "Jesus blood can make the vilest sinner clean."

May God bless you and keep you.
In Him,
Natalie

Rebuilding in Victory

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 will be a day my church family will not soon forget. We lost our church to a fire. However, in the midst of the turmoil there is always victory. The Sunday after the fire, our service was held on site and it was an incredible time. The next week we were relocated to a space at the A.D. Lab in Weymouth. Our congregation did not miss a beat. The Lord provided and everyone worked together to make it happen.

It always amazes me when God shows up. Our prayers go up and sometimes it seems as though they will never be answered. I have learned and am continuing to learn that His time is the right time. His way is the right way. His will is the will we need to be seeking. When we follow His plan, we will rise from the ashes victoriously.

The plans are proceeding as the building committee meets and prepares to bring ideas to the church body. As a congregation our task is to be in prayer-continuously and unceasingly. Prayer is what will move things along. When we pray for God's will to be revealed, He will reveal it. I also believe He will provide for all our needs if we give it all to Him for His glory and for His work to be done here on earth. Second Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; NASB.

Please pray for our church as we go through this time of rebuilding. Pray that God will reveal His plan and purpose for His people of Havelock Wesleyan Church-wherever He wants us to be and whatever He wants us to be doing.

For more information on the rebuilding of our church please go to www.rebuildingfromtheashes.blogspot.com.

Conversational Bible Study

How many times have you sat down to read the Bible and didn't understand a word you read? Has this ever happened to you or am I the only one? It used to be a very familiar process for me. I love to read. I mean really love to read. I can read a 500 page novel in a couple of days without any problem. However, reading a novel and reading the divinely inspired Word of God are two very different things.

It has been my experience even now, when I take the Bible and decide I'm going to read it, I don't get much out of it if I approach it the way I do any other book. Yet, if I take the time to inquire of the Lord what He wants me to learn and pray that He will reveal the truth of the Holy Scriptures to me, His Word comes alive and the experience is fulfilling.

I have learned so much in the last few years, just changing my approach to reading the Bible. Prayer is so incredibly important. It is our way to have a conversation with God. We can come before Him and lay out our hearts without fear. When we read the Bible, we are hearing from God. When we pray or praise the Lord as we read we are entering into a conversation with Him. Isn't that exciting?

Take some time even now to pray before you read a passage and ask the Lord to reveal the truth to you. You may have to wait in His presence and He may answer you immediately. That is up to Him. One thing you can count on is His promise to hear you. He hears and He cares.

"Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law, Psalm 94:12 NKJV.