'What I Wouldn't Give For Some Peace Of Mind': John 14:27 (Peace)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Peace?

Read John 14:22-27:

'Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

'Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, 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 hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'

Select "Successful' when you are finished.

What specific circumstance(s) is pressing on you right now? What is disturbing your peace?

Write your answer in the space below.

Go to 'Documents' above and read Oswald Chambers' insights on how Jesus can give us peace in the midst of feeling deeply disturbed.

Select "Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald begins:

'There are times when our peace is based upon ignorance, but when we awaken to the facts of life, inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus. When Our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace, His words are ever “spirit and life.” Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? “My peace I give unto you” — it is a peace which comes from looking into His face and realizing His undisturbedness.'

Have you ever had an experience where you received a deep sense of peace that you knew came directly from God?

If so, describe that experience(s) in the space below. If you have not had that experience, no problem. Write 'No' in the space below and proceed to Step 6.

Oswald asks:

'Are you painfully disturbed just now, distracted by the waves and billows of God’s providential permission, and having, as it were, turned over the boulders of your belief, are you still finding no well of peace or joy or comfort; is all barren?'

Regarding your answer in Step 3, despite your best efforts, how much lack of peace, joy and comfort is this circumstance currently causing you?

Regarding seeking the face of Jesus Christ, read the following:

-2 Corinthians 4:6: "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

-Psalm 27:8: "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek."

-Psalm 105:4: "Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore."

-Exodus 33:11: "And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaks unto his friend."

-Numbers 6:25-26: "The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace."

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald continues:

'Then look up and receive the undisturbedness of the Lord Jesus. Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him. If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. If you allow anything to hide the face of Jesus Christ from you, you are either disturbed or you have a false security.'

When an issue disturbs your peace, how frequently do you find yourself forgetting to bring your feelings, thoughts and reactions before the 'face the Jesus Christ'?

Oswald adds:

'Are you looking unto Jesus now, in the immediate matter that is pressing and receiving from Him peace? If so, He will be a gracious benediction of peace in and through you.'

Take a moment to get quiet. When you are ready, close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting before the living Christ. Speak to Him as openly and honestly as you can about what is disturbing your peace. Imagine Him listening attentively to you as you to express yourself to Him.

Give this everything you've got, then select 'Successful' when you are finished.

No matter how much or little you were able to see the face of Jesus, having genuinely given it everything you had and knowing that He will honor your effort, now ask Him to speak to you.

Pray this simple prayer: "Jesus, my Lord, please come to me, reveal Yourself to me. Speak to me and bring Your peace which I need and desire so very much.'

Write down what you receive.

Is there anything you would like to thank Jesus for?

If so, you can do so in the space provided.

Oswald reminds us:

'But if you try to worry it out, you obliterate Him and deserve all you get. We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him.'

Regarding the ways you have not been considering Jesus with your worries, is there anything you would like to repent of?

Oswald continues:

'When one confers with Jesus Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity, and our only concern is to abide in Him. Lay it all out before Him, and in the face of difficulty, bereavement and sorrow, hear Him say— “Let not your heart be troubled.”'

Returning to the circumstance(s) in Step 3, how confident are you that when you bring the issues that are disturbing you before the face of Christ, He will give you His deep abiding peace?

Bringing the circumstances that are disturbing you before the living Christ and receiving His peace is not a one time event, but a daily practice and discipline. For that reason, this Navitent is now in your library for you to use anytime you like.

How much has this Trail increased His fruit of peace in your present disposition?