Peace

..

There is a peace that comes after sorrow

   Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled

A peace that looks not upon tomorrow

   But calmly on a tempest that is stilled.

A peace that lives not now in joys excesses

   Nor in the happy life of love secure

But in the unerring strength the heart possess

   Of conflicts won while learning to endure.

A peace there is in sacrifice secluded

    A life surrendered, from will and passion free

Tis not the peace that over Eden brooded

    But that which triumphed in Gethsemane

The world

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.       John 3.16

This precious verse from the Bible, here quoted from the ‘Authorized version’, remains forever relevant.

I desire to highlight just one word  -  ‘world’

Most religions promote the idea that God loves only a select people. Jews, Muslims, and some Christians try to limit God’s love to a favoured few. John, the writer was privileged to grow up as a devout Jew, but after travelling with Jesus, and being taught by the Holy Spirit, said  - “God so loved the world”

This may well include the thought that God loved the whole ‘cosmos’, for He made it perfectly and for a purpose. But I think the focus here is on the fact that God love all the people of the world – the good , the bad, the rich , the poor, all nationalities, all tribes, everyone!   His love is all embracive in spite of our unworthiness.  His love is more than general, it is particular, as He knows and cars about each individual.  He certainly does not love the wicked habits or sinful deeds done in defiance of His standards, yet He loves.

His love is not going soft on sin. His love is expressed best by what He did to win back wandering humans to Himself  - He GAVE His ‘Only begotten Son’ - Jesus Christ. This is a subject for another day.

I want you the reader to catch the truth that God loves you.

You may not feel it, but if you believe it you will be blessed!

Apathy

Laodicea

The church of Laodicea presents a vivid picture of the age in which we live. Luxury living abounds on every hand while souls are dying for want of the Gospel. Christians are wearing crowns instead of bearing a cross. We become more emotionally stirred over sports, politics, and television than we do over Christ.  There is little sense of spiritual need, little longing for true revival. We give the best of our lives to the business world, then turn over the remnants of a wasted career to the Saviour. We cater to our bodies which in a few short years will return to dust. We accumulate instead of forsake, lay up treasures on earth instead of heaven. The general attitude is “ If I don’t pamper myself who will? Let’s get ahead in the world  and give our spare evenings to the Lord.” This is our condition on the eve of Christ’s return.

William MacDonald   “Believers Bible Commentary”