Faith Brings True Peace

Chuckle: A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

Quote: "One of the mysteries of faith is that, although it constitutes our deepest response to God for what he has done for us in Jesus Christ, yet it is, at the same time, a gift from him when we lift our eyes beyond ourselves. He meets us with faith when we want to have faith." --John Gunstone

FAITH PRODUCES TRUE PEACE

"Your faith has made you well; go in peace" (Luke 8:48 NASB). "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" (John 14:27 NIV).

Can you imagine how the woman in this Luke passage must have felt? She had been sick for over twelve years and had found no person or treatment that could offer her relief from her infirmity. She was desperate and when she learned that Jesus was near she was determined to see Him and at least touch Him in hopes that He would heal her. In fact, it seems her faith was so strong that she knew, without doubt, that touching such a man of God would heal her.

Picture the great throng of people around Jesus. It must have been a physically exhausting effort for a woman, who was not well, just to plow through the crowd and get close enough to touch Him. The result of her faith was that Jesus' healing power was released into her the instant she touched his garment and she was healed. What a beautiful picture of God's love, power, and amazing love for each of us regardless of what we may be going through in life.

Please notice, that physical healing occurred, yes, but perhaps even a greater gift was granted to the woman -- a peace that only God can give. As we hold onto God in faith, He may or may not choose to heal us physically, but He certainly will grant us strength, comfort, and peace to deal with whatever may be troubling us. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

It was the woman's faith that released Christ's power into her life. Are you casually aware of who Jesus is, or do you actively reach out to Him in faith knowing He can bring miraculous physical healing as well as spiritual healing? Renew your faith today and reach out to Jesus the Savior of our souls, the Great Physician, and giver of peace -- His peace.

Love, Jerry & Dotse