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DAY 214

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PEACE Unparalleled Gifts “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Before his death in 2015, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia gave extraordinary gifts to President Obama and his family. First Lady Michelle received two diamond jewelry sets valued at over a million dollars. Jewelry sets for both daughters and watches for the president added another $300,000. But the extravagant gifts weren’t really theirs. According to U.S. policy, presidential gifts are kept at the National Archives—unless the recipient pays market value to retain them! Before His death, Jesus offered His disciples an unparalleled gift: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.” Note His emphasis in the second phrase: He offered the disciples His own peace! This is the same peace that allowed Jesus to sleep in the back of a storm-tossed boat and walk on the waves. Jesus also emphasized the uniqueness of His gift: “Not as the world gives do I give to you.” The world feels at peace when everything is going well, but Jesus offered peace to His disciples the same night He predicted His betrayal. Troubled times cannot dim Christ’s peace, and nothing can take His gifts away. Along with the promised peace, Jesus instructed His disciples to refuse fear, the natural human response to trouble. Jesus knew the disciples would be tempted to fear that very evening—and He knows what trials tempt you to fear. You can allow the fear response, or you can cut it off by God’s power. Don’t let your heart be afraid , Jesus instructs you. Instead, remember His own peace can be yours. By faith, reach out and take hold of it! Prince of Peace, I choose Your peace over fear today. Thank You for sustaining me through troubled times.

For Further Study: Isaiah 54:10; John 16:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:16

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2/6/24 11:50 AM

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