Tag: joh17

Peace of Mind!

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27, NLT) What a gift, indeed! Peace of mind and heart! A few things stood out as I thought about this verse in today’s reading. 

First, this peace that Jesus offers is a gift. A gift can be received or refused. The choice is ours. Do we accept this peace, or do we refuse this peace? …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)

Second, this peace of mind and heart cannot be found in the world. Money, relationships, stimulants, or status cannot provide this peace that is exclusive to Jesus. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

Third, joy is the realization of this peace, and as believers, we experience this joy as we think about the things that Jesus said—the Word of God. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:11, NLT) …and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (John 17:13, ESV)

Believer, do you have a supernatural peace of mind? A peace that surpasses all understanding? Is the joy of Jesus being realized in your life? Peace of mind is a gift offered without limitation—are we receiving it?

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from John 14-17.

Victory in a Crooked Culture!

True to His word, God did just as He said through His prophets and exiled His people for their sins. Taken to Babylon, Daniel and his three friends, all teenagers, find themselves living in a foreign land wherein the culture is anti-Jehovah (Daniel 1:1–2).

These four young men, along with many others, were selected to be indoctrinated in this foreign culture for three years. Their names, whose meanings spoke of Jehovah, were changed to recognize Babylonian gods (Daniel 1:7). They were forced to study this culture’s literature and language (Daniel 1:4). Even their diet was changed (Daniel 1:5). The point was to strip away anything that related to the God of Israel and replace it with Babylonian culture and worship. But Daniel and his friends purposed to honor God despite this situation. 

God blessed their holy purpose. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams…the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah…And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:17–20, ESV)

As I thought about these things, I was reminded of Jesus’ high priestly prayer for us as believers. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:14–16, NKJV) 

Believers, we do not have to be overcome by this world and its culture—no matter how bad it gets! Jesus has prayed for us, not that we would be taken out of the world and its culture, but that we would be protected from the evil one and his culture. Let’s purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the culture of this world, for Jesus has prayed for us, and the Father answers Jesus’ prayers! This battle is already won—as Daniel, let’s purpose to walk in victory amidst a crooked and perverse generation! …so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. (Philippians 2:15, NLT)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Daniel 1-3.

Overcoming The Jackals!

O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins. They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the LORD. (Ezekiel 13:4–5, NLT)

In today’s reading, God has nothing good to say about Israel’s prophets. He likens them to jackals—vicious opportunists digging among the ruins, preying on God’s people. They have prophesied in the name of the Lord, but their message is not from God. Instead, the message is a scheme of their imagination. They have seen and heard nothing from God. They have told lies, made false predictions, and, according to Ezekiel 13:6, they think they can force God to fulfill their prophecies because they have claimed His name! These prophets have created an illusion of safety and peace when there is none. Of course, God’s people loved hearing what they were hearing—spiritually, the nation was a disaster. 

What a reminder for our day. God has spoken! It’s called the Word of God—the Bible. In these last days, it is crucial to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). To compare what we hear and see around us with the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Receiving conviction, repenting, and not walking away from the mirror of God’s Word, forgetting what we saw and heard (James 1:22–24). And allowing the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Truth, to lead us into all Truth, which is the Word of God (John 14:26, 16:13, 17:17). The jackals are out on the prowl (2 Peter 2-3), let us not fall prey to their opportunistic ways. 

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 13-15.