Charles Stanley tells of asking his waitress, ‘If you could ask God for anything, what would that be?’ Instantly she answered, ‘I want to feel at peace.’ Through tears she spoke of painful losses that turned her life into intense emotional turmoil. Many people, like this young woman, want inner peace without a relationship with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. They seek it in ways that don’t work - physical fitness, improving their appearance, financial security, fame, social status, or human relationships. Some seek it in alcohol and drugs. But none of these things can provide peace of heart and mind; only a relationship with Jesus can do that. Before we meet Jesus we are slaves to sin, living in opposition to God (Romans 6:16 NIV).
And our sins separate us from God so we live with guilt, stress, and shame. But He has provided a remedy. ‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8 NIVUK 2011 Edition), removing our sin, guilt, and shame, and ending our separation from God. When we trust in Christ as our Saviour He promises, ‘Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1 NIV 2011 Edition).
If you have placed your trust in Christ, read this: ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand’ (Philippians 4:6-7 TLB).
Luke 6:1-26, Ps 33-34
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