Devotion for 7/7/21 - 6 Minutes - "Offering of Peace"

John 14:27-29

Good evening everyone watching by video this evening,,, it's time for our weekly devotion. I'm praying that all of you are having a wonderful week so far. As I've said the last several weeks,,, we need to continue to remember those that are dealing with this virus. Those that are sick,,, since there are many others dealing with this sickness as it continues to grow and,,, those that have lost loved ones,,, we need to continue to remember them as well. Remember the medical teams that are dealing with this and any others that must work and take a chance of contacting this virus. Also,,, continue to remember those on our prayer list,,, and our country and it’s leaders. --------------- Our devotion this evening comes from "David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions". Our scripture will be John 14:27-29 and I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. John 14:27–29 (HCSB) 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this evening. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this evening,,, with all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. --------------- Jesus is trying to help the disciples through the trials that He knows that they are going to experience in just a little while.

These words were spoken the night of Jesus’ arrest,,, and the disciples will scatter in fear at that time,,, not to mention the fear that they will go through after Jesus is crucified.

But after everything has happened and Jesus has appeared to them again,,,after His resurrection,,, they will remember these words,,, and their faith will be strengthened by this memory.

And that was one of the things that Jesus was trying to help with,,, because we need that help as well. --------------- David Jeremiah titled this devotion,,, "OFFERING OF PEACE" He said that Jesus offered His peace to the disciples during an unbelievably difficult period in His own life. Even knowing what was coming,,, and knowing how terrible it would be,,, He knew it was required,,, so David Jeremiah says that,,, He was enjoying the peace of God,,, but Jesus knew the disciples were about to be sorely tested and would need God’s peace as well. Anyone can have peace when things are going well at home,,, with finances,,, and with regard to health. Even the people of the world can look like they are at peace when everything is going smoothly. But,,, it's during the difficult times that God wants us to experience His peace and display it to the world. Jesus offered His peace to the disciples at exactly the time it would be needed most: a time when their own sense of peace and calm would likely disappear. He wanted His disciples—and He wants us—to be at peace during the most difficult hours of our lives. Believers in Christ can live in a world where unbelievable,,, terrible things happen,,, without warning,,, but still carry on without worry and fear. We can have peace knowing that God is in control of our lives. While it may appear that things are out of control in the world,,, we can know that we are eternally protected,,, and watched over,,, by God’s sovereign,,, and loving,,, care. Jeremiah, David . David Jeremiah Morning and Evening Devotions (p. 376). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.