"I ALSO SEND YOU"
Dear Saints:
There was a lockdown in the past so we aren't the first. The Disciples of Christ had their own lockdown, afraid of the Jewish leaders. They were not sure what was coming next. Their lives have had a major shakeup and it's time for a reset. The misunderstood Messiah who was to set them free from the Romans has been crucified and they're sort of confused and bewildered.
Sounds like where we are today. COVID-19 has shaken up everything we hold dear and believed in. Many in and outside the church are confused and questioning who God is and where God is in the midst of everything going on.
In His risen body, Jesus appeared to His disciples who were on lockdown and repeated theses words, "Peace to you." Please read the entire chapter of John 20. Jesus is saying the same to us today, "Peace to you." It is not just a greeting. It is an impartation of His gift of Peace and of Himself – the Prince of Peace.
Like Jesus had said before His crucifixion, “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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. Oh yes; we are troubled these days.
Do you hear Jesus right now? Peace to you. What's peace or His peace? "Freedom from disturbance, tranquility" Are you disturbed right now or in this season? Peace to you. Confused? Peace to you. How? “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4.
Jesus confronted the unbelief of the disciples because that is the greatest hindrance to relationship with God. He said to Thomas, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27.
Yes, I don't see You Jesus; but I believe and trust You. I have been a Thomas many times but we can't live a life of unbelief. The solution is to receive the Holy Spirit:
“Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:22.
Without the Holy Spirit living in us we don't have a chance. The Holy Spirit convicts us with Truth and opens our eyes to see Jesus clearly so we can believe, trust and obey Him.
The Holy Spirit and His peace have been given to us so we can calm down and go about our primary call and responsibility. “I ALSO SEND YOU” to the world to preach the GOSPEL so their sins will be forgiven. We proclaim the power of the GOSPEL that saves and forgives sins (See Romans 1:16).
Folks, it is not about COVID-19; though shocking and killing. COVID-19 is a wake-up call and a reset time for the task at hand. Who have you been sent to today, this season and after COVID-19? Pray for them, love them and speak the GOSPEL of CHRIST to them. Hell is real and waiting to be filled up with the unbelieving in CHRIST, the only Savior from hell.
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31. This is the PRIMARY purpose of the Gospel of John. Do you and I get it?
May we never be the same and go back to business as usual after COVID-19 without proclaiming and living out the GOSPEL to all. Amen
“Peace to you.” “I also send you” - From Your Jesus whom you say you love and will obey. Lord, please help me to obey your command to go and make disciples for you. Help me to live outside of the box of the old and the usual. Amen.
May the Lord bless and keep you in His peace. Amen. Yes, still follow the CDC guidelines and local authorities guidelines. Our Jesus has overcome the evil one. Be of good cheer!
Regards always
Udo
There was a lockdown in the past so we aren't the first. The Disciples of Christ had their own lockdown, afraid of the Jewish leaders. They were not sure what was coming next. Their lives have had a major shakeup and it's time for a reset. The misunderstood Messiah who was to set them free from the Romans has been crucified and they're sort of confused and bewildered.
Sounds like where we are today. COVID-19 has shaken up everything we hold dear and believed in. Many in and outside the church are confused and questioning who God is and where God is in the midst of everything going on.
In His risen body, Jesus appeared to His disciples who were on lockdown and repeated theses words, "Peace to you." Please read the entire chapter of John 20. Jesus is saying the same to us today, "Peace to you." It is not just a greeting. It is an impartation of His gift of Peace and of Himself – the Prince of Peace.
Like Jesus had said before His crucifixion, “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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. Oh yes; we are troubled these days.
Do you hear Jesus right now? Peace to you. What's peace or His peace? "Freedom from disturbance, tranquility" Are you disturbed right now or in this season? Peace to you. Confused? Peace to you. How? “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4.
Jesus confronted the unbelief of the disciples because that is the greatest hindrance to relationship with God. He said to Thomas, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27.
Yes, I don't see You Jesus; but I believe and trust You. I have been a Thomas many times but we can't live a life of unbelief. The solution is to receive the Holy Spirit:
“Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:22.
Without the Holy Spirit living in us we don't have a chance. The Holy Spirit convicts us with Truth and opens our eyes to see Jesus clearly so we can believe, trust and obey Him.
The Holy Spirit and His peace have been given to us so we can calm down and go about our primary call and responsibility. “I ALSO SEND YOU” to the world to preach the GOSPEL so their sins will be forgiven. We proclaim the power of the GOSPEL that saves and forgives sins (See Romans 1:16).
Folks, it is not about COVID-19; though shocking and killing. COVID-19 is a wake-up call and a reset time for the task at hand. Who have you been sent to today, this season and after COVID-19? Pray for them, love them and speak the GOSPEL of CHRIST to them. Hell is real and waiting to be filled up with the unbelieving in CHRIST, the only Savior from hell.
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31. This is the PRIMARY purpose of the Gospel of John. Do you and I get it?
May we never be the same and go back to business as usual after COVID-19 without proclaiming and living out the GOSPEL to all. Amen
“Peace to you.” “I also send you” - From Your Jesus whom you say you love and will obey. Lord, please help me to obey your command to go and make disciples for you. Help me to live outside of the box of the old and the usual. Amen.
May the Lord bless and keep you in His peace. Amen. Yes, still follow the CDC guidelines and local authorities guidelines. Our Jesus has overcome the evil one. Be of good cheer!
Regards always
Udo
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