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In John 14:27-31, Jesus says, " ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do no let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. You heard Me say, "I am going away and I am coming back to you." If you loved Me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father, and that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me. Come now, let us leave.’ " The Lord Jesus Christ clearly tells us that He is giving us the peace that we are longing for. But most people do not have this peace, because they continuously search for it |
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in various ways—through drugs, sex, career, business, and wealth. Some couples get married hoping to find joy and peace in life. They promise to love each other, "for better or for worse, till death," but after only several weeks, they part ways, failing to find peace in their life together. Before I met the Lord, I was engrossed with my real estate business, working day and night, even on Sundays. I depended on banks and financial institutions, taking out loans from them, until I found myself facing a P200- million bank loan obligations. While the loan interest rates went up, my real estate business went down. I became deeply troubled and couldn't find peace in my life. But when I came to know Jesus Christ and received Him in my heart as my personal Lord and Saviour, He helped me overcome my problems. In Him, I finally found the peace that I had been longing for! It is the kind of peace that money cannot buy. It is the peace that Jesus Christ alone can give, if we have faith in Him. If we possess this kind of peace, no matter how great the crises may be—family problems, diseases, afflictions, financial difficulties, and hopeless situations—we shall never be shaken! I would like to share with you four things which we must do in order to experience the peace that comes from God: 1. Let us rejoice at all times. In his letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4 to 7, St. Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It is God's Will for us, who are in Christ Jesus, to be always joyful and to maintain a cheerful spirit—to smile, to laugh, and to sing—no matter what our circumstances may be. What we need in times of trouble is extraordinary strength which comes from a joyful heart. When we are worried and anxious about our problems, we fail to see the solution that God has prepared for us. We lose the strength and common sense to struggle against these problems. Hence, our physical condition deteriorates, and we lose the fight by default. |
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