Miscellaneous thoughts

PEACE “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV). The moments that I do not feel anxiety are precious and few. If there’s nothing else to worry about, I worry that I’m missing out on doing God’s will (no matter what I’m doing). If I would just talk to the Lord and tell Him what I need, remembering His goodness through thanking Him, He would take me to a place of experiencing His peace. As the old hymn goes, “take it to the Lord in prayer.” GOD IS WELL-PLEASED When Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17 NKJV). All who belong to the Lord are partakers of Christ (Hebrews 3:14); we are Jesus’s spiritual brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11). And He is well-pleased with all of us! “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I John 3:1 NKJV). DOUBTING THOMAS AND REMORSEFUL PETER Thomas didn’t believe that Jesus had come back to life after He died and was buried, even though some of the other disciples had seen the resurrected Christ and had talked to Him. So Jesus showed up and let Thomas touch the scars in His hands and side; then Thomas believed. Jesus was willing to help Thomas with his weak faith: I believe He will do the same for anyone who will then respond, “My Lord and My God! (John 20:28 NKJV). After Peter denied that he knew Jesus, he felt terrible. I’m sure he was sorely disappointed in himself, and that his confidence was severely shaken. Then Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love Me?” (see John 21:15-19). Peter was grieved. I would be too. But Jesus also told Peter, “Feed My sheep,” thereby entrusting him with the care of His people. And Jesus prophesied about Peter’s death: he would be martyred. How reassuring it was for Peter to know that the Lord wanted to use him to help others, and that he’d have the courage to die for His Lord! It was exactly the encouragement that he needed.

GOD'S GLORY

God is not like heartless tyrants on earth who seek to glorify themselves at the expense of others. God’s glory is seen in the ways that He blesses us: God gets glory from showing us mercy. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth” (Psalm 115:1, NKJV). God is glorified when He shows us His love. “…to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask of think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:19-21 NKJV). God’s glory is seen when He leads us into rest. “As a beast goes down into the valley, and the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, so You lead Your people, to make for Yourself a glorious name” (Isaiah 63:14 NKJV). God is glorified when He answers our prayers. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13 NKJV).