“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Saturday, July 1, 2017

HIS PERFECT PEACE HE GIVES TO ME

Jesus said,

“But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 26-27.)

Perfect peace. Without Christ, the human longing for internal peace is either elusive or counterfeit. Do not discount this truth. Jesus is the author of all we know and all that is unknown (see John 1.1-5, 12-18). Even when our world seems to be falling apart we can have peace in Christ who offers salvation to all and deliverance from our sins through His sacrificial offering on the cross (see Colossians 1.12-20).
 
Jesus is the source of internal peace that transcends all understanding (see Philippians 4. 6-7). That peace has a transformative quality that has, throughout the centuries, changed even devilish people into saints. The history of Christianity is replete with examples of this.

On the other hand, the absence of Christ’s peace can turn gentle souls into cynical, stone-hearted people. The world’s cruelty can sear individual and even collective human consciences.  We see this in displayed in such things abortion, child and elder abuse, euthanasia and pornography.

And yet in the midst of human violence and spiritual corruption Christ still offers his peace to all who come to know Him. This peace has come to me ― even in the storms of life and the terrors of degenerative disability. I discovered a peace that came from beyond the ages. 

 The darker my physical reality became, the more evident the light of Christ became. There were times when my physical circumstances threatened to engulf me. My prayerful cries were met with a deep peace that quenched the fear. I cannot explain it logically: it is that peace that The Apostle Paul mentioned that surpasses human understanding. An inaudible yet real message of assurance of the Holy Spirit descended upon me like the breeze from a dove's wings to subdue the terror and panic raging within me “Be not afraid, I am with you” (cf. Matthew 14. 27).


There is nothing in this world that can rob me of my eternal hope in Jesus Christ. As God tells us in His Holy Bible, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46.10). Earthly life may destroy my body but my soul is safe with Christ.  He is with me now and forever.  -- Mark

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