John 14:23 English Standard Version (ESV) 23Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him..... 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
I posted verse 23 along with verse 27 because of the statement "we" will come to him and make our home with him. It refers to God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Verse 27 has been special to Jean and I because it has helped us through some of our darkest hours and have brought great joy and peace to us through our son Jeff. Most of you know that he was in a car accident in which he suffered a TBI which left him speechless for two years and permanently handicapped. Through God's grace his speech returned gradually. He is still a man of few words and most would consider his life as "simple". But those gifts of speech and peace are two of Jeff's greatest gifts. God has given him peace and as Jeff himself has said it is a "peace that passes understanding". Another amazing quality in Jeff is what he can see, what he can read in other people. He can also share his peace. He has said to Jean and I at different times, when he read our hearts and said "my peace to you". It is all because God, in three persons, came in as stated in verse 23 to "make our home with him."
Words, for most of us are easy to say. But words have greater meaning knowing the source from which they flow. If you have come through trials and have had the peace that passes understanding, it may encourage others to hear from you "my peace to you", not that it is something that comes from you, it has come to you from God. In the same way it was given to you it can be passed along to someone else.
If you have experienced His peace in your life consider passing it on to someone you know who may be in need of it today.
We've recently considered how God's Word is in our hearts and minds. I am so thankful that Jeff learned and hid God's word in his heart as a child in Sunday School, AWANA Clubs, church and family devotions. They come out now with more meaning with what he has gone through. Jesus words come to us with great meaning because we know what He went through for us.
If you have little ones still in your home, I would encourage you to do all you can to "plant those seeds", His Word in their hearts now.
In Christ,
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
John 14:23-31
English Standard Version (ESV)
23Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 25"These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
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