08 November 2007 Devotion for Today “Christ, Our Peace” Ephesians 2:14-18
The story is told of a man went to the doctor complaining of a number of pains. After examining him the doctor said, "I can’t find anything organically wrong with you. But sometimes physical problems are the result of worry or stress. Maybe you need to find a good counselor and tell him your troubles. He might be able to advise you and make you feel better."
"In fact," he said, "last week I had a fellow who was complaining of pains similar to yours and I couldn’t find anything wrong with him, either. But after talking a while, he told me that he was worried sick about a $5,000 debt he owed and couldn’t pay. Well, we talked about it and I was able to help him."
The man asked, "How did you help him?" "Oh, I told him that life was too short to worry about a piece of paper that said he owed $5,000. I suggested that he tear up the paper and throw it away, and stop worrying about the debt, and get on with his life. So he did. And now he feels great!"
“Yes, I know," said the guy. "I’m the one he owes the $5,000 to!"
Life does have its share of worries and stresses and strains. Wherever we go they are present. We have been told that ours is the age of anxiety and that worry is the pervasive emotion of our time.
But wouldn’t it be great to be able to sit down someday and say, "I don’t have anything to worry about today. Everything in my life is in order."
That would be great, wouldn’t it? But it doesn’t happen very often. We live in the midst of crowded streets and malls and work to do. And the pressure builds continually, and there are always more deadlines than we can possibly meet.
So it is time to look at God’s promise of peace. In Ephesians 2, Paul talks about it and says that Christ is the source of peace:
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:14-18
Who is the source of your peace? Take five minutes out of your day and reflect upon Jesus Christ, the true source and Prince of Peace, and see if you are still troubled by what was bothering you before.
Have a peaceful and blessed day
Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@embarqmail.com
jcrussell@liberty.edu
Church website: http://25621.lifewaylink.com
Devotion Archives: http://www.msnusers.com/DevotionforToday
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