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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....
"The captain suggests
that you read what's going on in the world,
and THEN let us know if you STILL want to be rescued."
*
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?
God bless you!
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
* Marshall Underwood
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