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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Peace
in a Troubled World The
story has been told about a shipwrecked sailor.
He had spent three long years on a desert
island when one day he was overjoyed to see a ship
drop anchor in the bay.
He anxiously watched and waited as a small
lifeboat made its way to shore. But then, to his
surprise, instead of calling to him to get in, an
officer of the ship presented him with a big batch of
newspapers. The
officer said to this marooned sailor.... We live in a troubled world... There is so much conflict in the world that to be marooned on a desert island can be an attractive thought. "Peace" is a concept that so often seems to be found only in the dictionary. This is true not only of world peace – peace between countries, but also of inner peace – peace within the individual. Jesus warned, "In the world you WILL have tribulation...," but He also promised, "In ME you may have peace" (John 16:33). Jesus comforted His followers with words of assurance: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus promises is not the absence of conflict on the outside, but an inner confidence within the individual - a calm center in the eye of the storm! It is based on trust in a God who cares and provides for His children (Luke 12:22-31). This peace is found in a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, that sustains His children even in difficult circumstances. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that YOU and I might have THAT peace. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus conquered the number one problem that keeps us from having peace: SIN. His death served as payment for the sins of those who will submit their lives to Him: believing in and trusting Him (Acts 16:31), repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing that He is the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38). The "peace of God which surpasses all understanding" will CONTINUE to "guard" the hearts and minds of those who CONTINUE to walk with God obediently (Philippians 4:6-7). Because of Jesus, WE may have peace with God, peace with man, and peace with ourselves – even in a troubled world! Do YOU have that peace?David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood * Marshall Underwood To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchsearch.org Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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