Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: John 16:17-33
John 16:33 (NLT) "'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world'"</B>
Phillips Brooks, former minister of Boston's Trinity Episcopal Church, is perhaps best known as the author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem." He was a very busy pastor, yet he always seemed relaxed and unburdened, willing to take time for anyone in need. Shortly before Brooks died, a young friend wrote to him and asked the secret of his strength and serenity. In a heartfelt response, Brooks credited his still-growing relationship with Christ.
He wrote, "The more I have thought it over, the more sure it has seemed to me that these last years have had a peace and fullness which there did not used to be. It is a deeper knowledge and truer love of Christ. I cannot tell you how personal this grows to me. He is here. He knows me and I know Him. It is the most real thing in the world. And every day makes it more real. And one wonders with delight what it will grow to as the years go on."
What a motivator for everyone who knows Jesus as Savior to cultivate daily a closer, deeper fellowship with Him! To achieve such a peace and delight in Jesus, we must heed his words in today's topic verse: "'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world'" (John 16:33).
May we learn from the attitude of Pastor Brooks and trust in Christ for our peace in a hectic world. Faith Lesson: True peace comes only when Christ is supreme in the heart.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
READ: John 16:17-33
John 16:33 (NLT) "'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world'"</B>
Phillips Brooks, former minister of Boston's Trinity Episcopal Church, is perhaps best known as the author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem." He was a very busy pastor, yet he always seemed relaxed and unburdened, willing to take time for anyone in need. Shortly before Brooks died, a young friend wrote to him and asked the secret of his strength and serenity. In a heartfelt response, Brooks credited his still-growing relationship with Christ.
He wrote, "The more I have thought it over, the more sure it has seemed to me that these last years have had a peace and fullness which there did not used to be. It is a deeper knowledge and truer love of Christ. I cannot tell you how personal this grows to me. He is here. He knows me and I know Him. It is the most real thing in the world. And every day makes it more real. And one wonders with delight what it will grow to as the years go on."
What a motivator for everyone who knows Jesus as Savior to cultivate daily a closer, deeper fellowship with Him! To achieve such a peace and delight in Jesus, we must heed his words in today's topic verse: "'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world'" (John 16:33).
May we learn from the attitude of Pastor Brooks and trust in Christ for our peace in a hectic world. Faith Lesson: True peace comes only when Christ is supreme in the heart.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
