Sunday Scripture

 

 

I've been posting  Sunday Scriptures on both of my blogs this December, taken from an Advent study I did in 2013 with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.  At this point I think I've blogged about every part of that study, so next December I'll be doing something different.  And, in January 2026 I plan to get back to the Fix Your Focus lessons.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This last week's verses are focused on Peace.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this (interestingly enough) is the one from December 27.

S= "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

O= Jesus here is speaking to His disciples (the eleven) in the upper room prior to His death.  This chapter contains many comforting and encouraging promises, and this verse is one of them -- Jesus' bequest of peace.  

This peace is, as Scofield describes it, "inward peace, the state of the soul of the Christian who, having entered into peace with God, has committed all his anxieties to God through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving."

This is true peace, peace that surpasses all understanding.  "Not as the world giveth", it is peace that can only come from God.  Because Jesus gives us this peace, our hearts need not be troubled or afraid.

G. Campbell Morgan writes, “He carefully described the peace as ‘My peace.’ His peace was a heart untroubled and unfearful in spite of all the suffering and conflict ahead of Him.”

Jesus also contrasts His peace with the various ways the world tries to offer peace.  John MacArthur wrote, "In the truest sense, no real peace is to be found in the world. Godless people in a godless world are by nature enemies of God and in a state of resultant turmoil. The world only offers an experience of a momentary, fleeting tranquility through self-indulgence, materialism, love, romance, substance abuse, false religion, psychotherapy, or a host of other placebos. But the world's pseudopeace is in reality the bliss of ignorance. If unbelievers understood the wrath of God, and the agonizing, unrelieved, eternal torment awaiting them in hell, they would never enjoy a moment's peace in this life."  Oh, how true this is!

A= Jesus gives me true peace.  As I commit the cares and concerns of my life to Him, He gives me peace that surpasses any human understanding.  I can rest in Him with a heart that's untroubled and unafraid.  

In contrast, the world can never offer true peace to anyone.  It's easy to self-medicate with food, alcohol, shopping, or any of a number of other ways to try and feel peace, but these are not viable options for anyone and especially not for believers.

Over the past couple of decades, there have been numerous situations where I could have felt worried, afraid, even threatened -- troubled, for sure -- but as I have been able to commit them to God I have often found myself flooded with an indescribable peace and contentment that could only come from God.

P= "Lord, I am so thankful for Your peace!  I praise You that it is available to Your children as they commit their concerns to You with thanksgiving.  I have so often been astounded over the years at the peace You have given in very difficult  situations.  I am so appreciative of this!  The world really has nothing to offer in terms of real and lasting peace.  I pray You will help me to continually rest in You as I face the unknowns of the future.  I pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Amen."

And there is our last Sunday Scripture for December!  We're headed back to Fix Your Focus in the New Year!