Jesus' Gift of Peace

"I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don't be troubled. Don't be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I am leaving, but I will come back to you.' If you loved me, then you would be happy that I am going back to the Father. Why? Because the Father is greater than I am."

-- John 14:27-28 (ERV)

KEY THOUGHT:
The Holy Spirit, our comforter and counselor, will bring us peace. This peace is not an absence of difficulties, an end to all strife, or the cessation of all disagreements. We know that those things will not happen in our fallen world as we know it now. However, the gift of God's presence, the gift of Jesus' guidance, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit mean that we can have peace in our storms, struggles, and fallen world. God is present within us to guide, strengthen, comfort, lead, inspire, motivate, bless ... We are not alone as we face every challenge of life because God is not only with us, he is within us!

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy God, give me a deeper appreciation of your abiding presence within me. Lead me by your Spirit to know you more completely. Inspire me by your Spirit to do your work more joyously. Enlighten me by your Spirit to better make the decisions I face each day. Thank you, Jesus, for sending the Holy Spirit to me as your gift of grace, presence, and peace.I pray in your name, dear Savior. Amen.