"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." -John 14:1 (NIV)

What do you believe?

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Peace is defined as:

• a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations,

• freedom from war and violence,

• a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom,

• freedom from being disturbed or bothered by people, noise,

• freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions,

• a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity (enemy).

PEACE CAN BE SO UNDERRATED! While there are many of us searching for answers that we can't find and trying to solve problems that we don't have the strength to resolve, know that the answer and the solution is "PEACE"!

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

-John 16:33 (NIV)

 

He Gives Us Peace!                                    

We are not referring to just any peace, but it is the peace of God that cures and solves all things. We are human. We are flesh. We become weak. We find ourselves burdened. We fight hard. We fight long. We cry out to God. We ask God to "FIX IT!"...

 

And yet we still struggle to let go.

 

As a result, we become faint and find ourselves about to take that fall into "I've fallen and I can't get up". And not because of a medical alert, but because we are carrying too many things on our backs that we were supposed to LET GO AND LET GOD! 

 

When we find ourselves distressed, angry, overwhelmed, discouraged, fearful, and disappointed, we blame it on the people and things that are attached to our circumstances. We blame these people and things for the chaos that they have brought into our lives. We blame them for stealing our peace. However, do we ever stop and ask ourselves, "WHY ARE WE PUTTING OUR PEACE ON A PLATTER AND LEAVING IT UNATTENDED"? The truth is that we are going to have very real feelings and emotions concerning the things that happen to us. We are going to react to the giants, pits, and lions' dens that we have to face. We are going to be stricken with grief and sorrow. EVEN JESUS WEPT! However, we must recognize that "PEACE" is a conscious effort. IT IS A DECISION! Although the things that we face might cause pain, despair, sorrow, resentment, guilt, shame, brokenness, and all those other emotions that we feel when life is doing what life does; IT IS OUR DECISION TO COUNTER OUR REACTIONS, THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND EMOTIONS WITH "PEACE"!

 

God knows that we become burdened. God is no stranger to our woes. God knows that we suffer. God knows that we become faint of heart. God knows that we have hurts that pierce us to our core. God is fully aware that we worry and agonize over all those experiences, decisions, and occurrences that life might bring our way. God knows that we become shaken when HE ALLOWS those attacks to welcome themselves into our home, work, school, and church environments, and all those other places that we interact in. This is why He sent His Son. We know that Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice for our sins. We know that through the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we were set free from the condemnation of our sins. However, as significant, life changing, and sacred as the crucifixion was, we must recognize that JESUS IS SO MUCH MORE! We cannot limit Jesus to the cross. Jesus is not just important because our believing in him graces us with salvation when we repent of our sins, but JESUS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT HE DOES FOR US THAT DID NOT STOP AT THE CROSS!

 

If we reflect on Isaiah 9:6, not only were we told that the government would rest on Jesus' shoulders, but we were told that Jesus would be called, WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, and PRINCE OF PEACE! Jesus is not just our Risen King who gives us life, BUT HE IS OUR EVERYTHING! It was not for nothing that God shared with us in the scriptures these names and attributes of who His Son was. 

 

A counselor is defined as:

• a person who gives advice or counseling,

• lawyer; specifically : one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court,

• pleads ones cases in court,

• someone who is trained to listen to people and give them advice about their problems,

• a person who provides advice as a job.

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NOW LET'S STOP RIGHT THERE! Hold on to these definitions of "counselor" because we will review them throughout this post.

 

If we reflect on the definitions of a counselor, and consider that Jesus is our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, that already shows us the weight and might of who Jesus is. That already shows us the depth of what Jesus can do. Wonderful Counselor in itself already shows us how secure we are with him. How So?

 

Let's Review:

• a person who gives advice or counseling: 

• someone who is trained to listen to people and give them advice about their problems

 

 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

-Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

 

No matter the concern, Jesus can fix it. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus does not categorize the woes that we bring to him. Jesus did not say all those who are weary and burdened with school. Jesus did not say all those who are weary and burdened with work. He did not say all those who are weary and burdened because of their health, wealth, finances, relationships, or enemies. Jesus said, "ALL WHO WERE WEARY AND BURDENED", which means that there were no exclusions as to who could come to him and what issues they could bring. JESUS CAN HANDLE IT ALL! 

 

The Risen King, gave us access that allows his Father to dwell in us so that He can lead and guide us. We can take every care and concern to Him, allowing Him to direct our paths and help us make those tough decisions that we often struggle with. He can help us to overcome those temptations that both overwhelm and overtake us. Jesus' role as counselor doesn't have hours of operation like all the others. There is no health insurance or appointment needed. There is no copayment. WE HAVE DIRECT 24-HOUR ACCESS WHEN WE CHOOSE SALVATION! And the thing about Jesus as our counselor is that we know that we can trust whatever it is that he tells us because his advice is sound. Jesus' advice is without flaw. Jesus' advice is not capable of leading us astray or setting us on the wrong path. Jesus' advice is not based on manmade theory but rests in an omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God who has ALL EARTHLY AUTHORITY. Therefore, however Jesus leads us, whatever he tells us to do, wherever he tells us to go, he can then turn things in our favor and turn things along our path so that they reflect whatever it is that he has told us. EARTHLY COUNSELORS ARE NOT CAPABLE OF SUCH AND NEVER WILL BE! 

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This is not suggesting that we should not seek earthly counsel. Whether a counselor by title or whether a teacher, doctor, therapists, parent, spiritual leader, or trusted friend, these individuals are there for a reason. God has given man the knowledge of certain things as a means of helping us to understand certain facets of our lives concerning our behaviors, actions, feelings, and emotions. God might even send people into our lives to help encourage us, navigate us, and keep us on the right path.

These truths are being expounded upon to make us recognize that God and His Son are the only ones who have the power and capability to lead, counsel, and direct us without flaw. God is the ONLY ONE who knows our true selves. God is the only one who truly knows those woes, triggers, and things that man doesn't have the power to figure out.

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There are some things, there is some knowledge, that we will never be able to comprehend unless God makes it clear to us. There are certain truths about ourselves and about the things that surround us that we will only ever discover through God. There are issues and dynamics in our lives that ONLY GOD CAN MAKE RIGHT! Therefore, just as we trust the earthly counselors and depend on the earthly lawyers, we must recognize God as the one above all. HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WE CAN PLACE OUR FULL TRUST IN!

 

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In speaking of a counselor in terms of law, this reminds us that Jesus is not just there to lead, guide, and give us direction, but he also fights for us.

• lawyer; specifically : one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court

• pleads ones cases in court

 

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"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

-John 14:6 (NIV)

 

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

-John 14:26 (NIV)

 

Jesus is the one who atoned for our sins by the shedding of his blood. Jesus defended us. He endured for our access to freedom. It is through Jesus that we have someone to courageously, consistently, and constantly go before us in all matters of life. Despite who or what stands against us, Jesus will defend those who believe and place their full trust in him. It does not matter the court of law, the jurisdiction, or the rules, policies, and regulations involved, Jesus has all sovereignty. He acts as both our lawyer and judge. He has the final say-so in every single aspect of our lives. He is the Son of the God that defended Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He is the Son that dined with tax collectors and sinners. He is the Lord who freed Paul and Silas from prison. None of our backgrounds, mistakes, or past failures can exclude us of the salvation found in and through him. Jesus' peace is of comfort to all whom choose to accept it. We can depend on Jesus as our righteous judge. Deuteronomy 10:17, reminds us, "The Lord [our] God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes" (NIV). And because He is mighty, there is no work that He can't perform on our behalf. Jesus fights for the righteous, the innocent, the poor, and the needy. Unlike the earthly lawyers and judges, JESUS CANNOT BE BOUGHT! HE IS ALWAYS A JUST LAWYER AND JUDGE!

 

Because of whom Jesus is to his Father and because God delights in glorifying Himself through His Son, we can have whatever it is that we ask of him. In John 14:13-14, Jesus states, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (NIV). The Father and the Son are loyal to those who are loyal to them. They are of one accord and when we accept salvation, live our lives accordingly, and place our full trust in them, we are covered under their wings. We are granted access to whatever it is that they have. They have the whole world in their hands which means that WE LACK NOTHING! 

 

Our Mighty God, the Father, who provided the ram in the bush for Abraham. Our Mighty God, the Father, who saved Joseph from the pit, Potiphar, and the prison and then placed him to rule over all of Egypt. Our Mighty God, the Father, who brought the Israelites out of bondage, led them through the wilderness, kept them, fed them. and for forty years, allowed everything that they owned to remain intact. Our Mighty God, the Father, who knocked Goliath out on David's behalf. Our Mighty God, the Father, who sent His angel into the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Our Mighty God, the Father, who vindicated Daniel, shut the mouth of the lions, and then threw Daniel's haters into the lions' den that they had purposed for him. Our Mighty God, the Father, our FAITHFUL ONE, in which after Job endured, He gave him more than he had before. It is through our Mighty God, the Father, that the Son has been given all power and authority.

 

It is Our Mighty God, the Son, who showed us that we have the power to overcome temptations in our wilderness. It is Our Mighty God, the Son, who despite the attempts of Herod could not be destroyed because he had a purpose to fulfill. It is Our Mighty God, the Son, in that you name it, he healed them. No matter the illness or the defect, when they came into contact with Jesus, all things were made well. It is Our Mighty God, the Son, who raised up from the dead the daughter of the synagogue leader, the widow's son, and Lazarus. It is Our Mighty God, the Son, who answered not a word in reply to Pilate because he understood both who and whose he was. Jesus felt no need to speak what he had already proclaimed. Jesus did not have to defend who he was because he believed and had faith in who God had created him to be. Jesus did not have to answer to what the chief priests and elders said were "accusations" because Jesus knew his truth. Furthermore, at that point, Jesus understood that all that was taking place was the will of his Father, therefore he allowed himself to fall in alignment with it. Jesus, the Son, endured the cross becoming not just the Risen King, not just Our Savior, but our Mighty God. There is nothing that Jesus can't do. Because he and God are one, Jesus is not just our Shepherd, but he too is our Everlasting Father.

Everlasting is defined as:

• lasting or enduring through all time : eternal,

• continuing for an indefinitely long time,

• ​continuing forever; never changing,

• always.

 

As our Everlasting Father, that means that NOTHING ABOUT JESUS CHANGES! That also means that to him there is no end. That means that Jesus is not capable of becoming obsolete. Jesus cannot be destroyed, shaken, or dismantled. Jesus does not grow weak, faint, or fall apart. Jesus endures all things. Jesus is above all things. Jesus is not here today and gone tomorrow. Because he is our Everlasting Father, he does not stop working. He does not stop making a way. He does not stop providing. He does not stop showing grace and mercy. He does not stop showing compassion and kindness. He does not stop shielding and protecting. JESUS DOES NOT STOP GIVING US HIS LOVE!

 

As our Everlasting Father, Jesus will be there when no one else is. Jesus won't fail us when everyone else does. He won't turn his back on us when everyone else walks away. When everything in the world is falling apart, Jesus will keep us upright.  Because Jesus gave us life by giving up his life, he will never cease from helping us to survive all those trials, arrows, and curve balls that life throws at us. JESUS WILL NOT LEAVE NOR FORSAKE US NO MATTER WHAT.

 

Just as a counselor provides advice as a job, it is Jesus' job to lead, guide, shield, protect, and provide for us. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become his children, his sheep, and his disciples. WE BECOME HIS RESPONSIBILITY! We don't have to burden ourselves with life because when we become his, he takes his job serious and makes sure that we are taken care of. Jesus makes sure that we have all that we need. Jesus gives us the desires of our hearts. Jesus will go to bat for us no matter who stands at plate or on base. HOWEVER, WE MUST ABIDE! (I know you didn't think that you were going to get away with not being reminded as such). We can have all the salvation that we want to have and remain constantly vexed in spirit if we don't accept the peace that God gives us through His Son. 

The Prince of Peace

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Let's revisit our definitions of peace:

• a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations,

• freedom from war and violence,

• a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom,

• freedom from being disturbed or bothered by people, noise,

• freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions,

• a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity (enemy).

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The reason that many of us have salvation but have no peace is because:

• we don't have a personal relationship with God,

• we are constantly at war with our will versus God's will (and we refuse to give in to Him),

• we refuse to seek God for refuge dwelling in everything and everybody else as a means of searching for comfort and safety,

• we believe what people say above what God says; we trust the opinions of man more than we trust the promises of God,

• we don't believe in who God created us to be; we don't believe that we are fearfully and wonderfully made,

• we stay in constant opposition with God refusing to obey, follow His commands, and do it His way.

 

Many of us are living our lives in complete contrast of peace. Based on the definitions of peace, the only way that we will be able to successfully navigate our relationships with others, be protected from the war and violence that surrounds us, be protected from the ego and wickedness of law, not be overtaken by our enemies or the weapons that they inflict upon us, not succumb to defeat, not succumb to our feelings of unworthiness, not dwell in what we think are our inadequacies and incapacities, and not war with God, is if WE TURN ALL OF OUR BATTLES OVER TO HIM AND LET HIM FIGHT FOR US!

 

Apart from allowing God to fight our battles, we must also TRUST THAT HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! Many of us don't have peace because we are doing the fighting for ourselves. Many of us don't have peace because even when we hand the battle over to God, we have no faith or belief that He will work it out. Many of us don't have peace because we give things over to God yet still stay up worrying and stressing over the how's, ifs, buts, and the 'ands'. Many of us are giving our troubles to God but not with the belief that He knows what to do with them. We are taking our troubles to God but are in constant states of anxiousness because we in our hearts, don't think that He knows what's best. We think that we know what we want not realizing that God knows what we need.

 

We believe that Jesus died on the cross and we find comfort in that when it comes to the forgiveness of our sins, but do we believe that Jesus overcame? And not just overcame concerning the fact that he rose, but do we truly believe that JESUS OVERCAME ALL THINGS when he resurrected? Do you truly believe and understand that Jesus' overcoming was not just about his ability to resurrect after dying on the cross? Do you believe and understand that Jesus' overcoming after having endured the cross means that HE CONQUERED ALL THINGS? 

 

We must understand that as the atonement for our sins, for every temptation, JESUS CONQUERED IT!

For every sin, JESUS CONQUERED IT!

For every feeling or emotion that will ever vex our minds, thoughts, hearts, and our spirits, JESUS CONQUERED IT!

For every battle that we will have to fight, every obstacle that we will have to stand against, and every enemy that we will ever have to face, JESUS CONQUERED IT!

 

Jesus overcoming the cross was not simply about his ability to step out of the tomb where he lay, but it was also about his ability to overcome all those things that led him to it. Jesus overcame all the lies, slander, blasphemy, rejection, ridicule, hatred, wickedness, envy, betrayal, and contempt that those who did not believe in him, tried to inflict upon him. Therefore, Jesus also overcame MAN! He overcame all of man's intentions, plots, plans, ill-intents, and schemes. 

 

The King James Version of Isaiah 53:5, reads as follows:

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

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The New International Version reads:

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

But he was wounded for our transgressions:  Jesus endured because of our inability to abide by and uphold the law. Jesus was the sacrifice that atoned for us. Jesus saved us from condemnation and eternal damnation. His wounds gave us life (an abundant and hopeful one).

 

He was bruised for our iniquities: Jesus endured for our sins. He endured so that we might be saved through grace by faith, receiving salvation.

 

The chastisement of our peace was upon him: Jesus suffered so that we can have peace about every cross that we ourselves will have to bear. He suffered and endured so that despite the trials that we face, we can rest in the assurance that he already won them for us. We can have peace in the fact that Jesus makes all things well. Jesus' sufferings granted us the gift of his presence in both our hearts and our spirits, meaning that he is with us throughout all of our life's experiences. 

 

And with his stripes we are healed: Jesus endured so that we can be benefactors of his healing power. Just as all those whom Jesus touched were healed and made whole, he is that same Messiah to us. Regardless of the health battle, the physical pain and agony, or the aches and pains, we have hope. We have hope because we are under the new covenant. We are no longer bound under the old law in which all those illnesses and defects that we might have had, defiled us and made us unworthy of coming into His presence. Regardless of the illness or disease, we all can be made whole. We can all come into His presence because of the fact that Jesus took those stripes that gave each and every one of us ACCESS!

 

Our ability to understand who Jesus is beyond the cross helps us to recognize that his work nor his purpose ended right there. JESUS REMAINS EVER SO ALIVE AND USEFUL! We must understand that Jesus' works are still relevant. Jesus did not stop performing miracles upon the cross. When he rose, THE MIRACLES THAT HE WOULD PERFORM CONTINUED! Even as Jesus was on the cross, GOD DID NOT STOP BEING GOD! WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE FATHER AND THE SON WILL NEVER STOP WORKING ON OUR BEHALF!

 

Release Your Worries Not Your Trust!              

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." -John 14:1 (NIV)

 

We each must own our salvation. And not only do we each have to personally own our salvation, but as it concerns all of those things that God has promised us such as love, joy, hope, and peace, we must own those as well. While God promises us love, joy, hope, and peace, we must accept them. We must welcome these promises into our lives. 

 

It seems simple but it at times is very hard. We are constantly surrounded by people, policies, rules, regulations, trials, circumstances, pits, fiery furnaces, and lions' dens that make us feel defeated. We are constantly being surrounded by things that make us feel like there is no hope. We are constantly surrounded by things that take our focus off of God. We are constantly surrounded by people and things that make us feel unloved. We are surrounded by people and experiencing obstacles that make it hard for us to love. We are surrounded by chaos and turmoil that disturb our peace. We are surrounded by things that strip us of the strength that God was faithful and merciful enough to give us. We are constantly throwing blows as a means of attacking all those people and things that we credit for stealing our love, joy, hope, and peace, but is our love, joy, hope, and peace really being stolen or are we giving it away? 

 

If we reflect back on the story of Hannah, it might appear to us that Peninnah was stealing Hannah's joy. It might appear that Peninnah was stealing Hannah's hope. It might appear to us that Peninnah was stealing Hannah's peace. However, the truth is that Hannah was giving it away. She was placing her joy, hope, and peace in vulnerable territory.

 

Hannah was loved by her husband, but she could not even accept his love because she had allowed Peninnah to rob her of her joy, hope, and peace. She had given her joy, hope, and peace to Peninnah. No one can steal our love, joy, hope, or peace unless we give it to them. Things will always come to try to rob us of all those things that God promised us but at some point, we must learn to NOT RELINQUISH THEM! While we can't choose what comes at us, we can choose how we react and how we fight!

 

In John 10:10, Jesus states, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (NIV). The way that we allow ourselves to be robbed and the way that we give away those things that people seek to take from us, is by trying to do it without God. 

 

1 Samuel 1:18, reads in part, "Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast" (NIV). Hannah picked herself up, went to the temple, cried, supplicated, gave it God, had faith, took back her joy, hope, and peace, and allowed herself to be loved. Upon giving it to God, Hannah was no longer burdened by what she could not control and make happen for herself. Not only was Hannah allowing Peninnah to take her joy, hope, and peace, but she was also relinquishing it to the burden of her own desires. We cannot allow not receiving what we desire to shift our love, joy, hope, and peace as we patiently wait for God to grant us with whatever it is that we have requested of Him.

 

There are some things that much like Job, will be taken from us. Job was stripped of all his material possessions. He was even stripped of his children and servants. Job's body was under attack. He was struggling to hold on to his strength BUT HE KEPT HOLDING ON TO GOD! Despite all of the things were taken from Job, Job would not allow satan to take away his trust in God. Job might have succumb to a whole lot of feelings and emotions, but he held on to his trust. Job's hope was up for grabs, and though it was shaken, he took it back! 

 

Joseph was removed from his family. He was sold and put into the hands of Ishmaelites by his very own siblings, but he did not sell out on God. Joseph did not allow the wickedness of his siblings nor Potiphar's wife to rob him of his reverence and trust in God. Joseph held on to his love, joy, hope, and peace because he saw the God in his circumstances. Joseph never lost sight of the fact that God is always in control!

 

The administrators and satraps thought that they were robbing Daniel of his promotion, but Daniel was not going to allow anyone to rob him of his faithfulness and trust in God. Daniel knowing that he was up for promotion was still not going to turn away from God to try to secure his position. Daniel prayed and gave thanks to God as he always did. Daniel held on to his love for God. Daniel held on to his joy by praising God in spite of what he was up against. Daniel held on to his hope and his peace as he patiently waited for God to deliver him out of the den of lions.

 

People may try to rob us of all that they can whether these things be physical or material, natural or spiritual, mental or emotional, but WE MUST CHOOSE whether we will allow our love, joy, hope, and peace to be taken along with them. We must choose if we will allow our trust, faith, and reliance on God to be taken along with them. There are some things that we might not be able to prevent ourselves from being robbed of but for all those things that we have the power to hold on to, WE MUST DO SO BY ALL MEANS! And our ability to do so lies in the Prince of Peace.

 

We must try our best not to allow our hearts to be troubled by the occurrences of life. Just like we believe in God, we have to believe in the power of Jesus. We must take comfort in who Jesus is, what he did, and what it is that he can do. We must recognize the depth of what Jesus' being born, crucified, and risen means. We must understand the depth of what Jesus being seated on the throne means. We must believe in the power and authority of God. We must believe in the power of salvation beyond the fact that it covers our sins. We must believe in the shelter that God allows us to abide under when we dwell in Him. We must understand the depth of what Jesus, the Son, giving us access to God, the Father, means. When we ACCEPT GOD AS OURS, AND HE THEN ACCEPTS US AS HIS, WE ARE COVERED IN ALL THINGS! BUT WE MUST HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE!

 

We can allow our hearts to let go of all that worry, pain, fear, depression, uncertainty, and grief that many of us have been carrying, and place it in Jesus' hands. The good shepherd will not disappoint us.​ 

 

Know that no matter what it is, JESUS OVERCAME IT!

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Loan not approved                      Promotion denied                 Scholarship not awarded             Relationship ended
Bloodwork inconclusive               X-rays positive                        Department laid-off                     Tuition not covered
Application denied                    Surgery unsuccessful                 Car repossessed                              Betrayed
Experiencing pain                          Backstabbed                                 Slandered                            No food in the pantry
More bills than money                  Past due notices                        Grief and sorrow                                Rejection
Judgment                                        Family drama                                                                           _____________ (fill in the blank)

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Need a lawyer, doctor, teacher, tutor, judge, surgeon, therapist, friend, father, brother, guide, counselor, general, confidante, or a __________ (fill in the blank), JESUS COVERS IT ALL!

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Need love, joy, peace, hope, confidence, strength, endurance, encouragement, comfort, patience, compassion, empathy, temperance, forgiveness, humility, gentleness, faith, clarity, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, discernment, acceptance, or _____________ (fill in the blank), JESUS COVERS IT ALL!

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Regardless of what you might be facing know that JESUS ALREADY OVERCAME IT! As hard as it might be, hand it over to him and trust him to make it well. Find "PEACE" in the fact that Jesus is WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE, SHEPHERD, TEACHER, MASTER, SAVIOR, MESSIAH, and whatever else you need him to be to you. The WHOLE WORLD RESTS IN HIS MIGHTY HANDS! All things are in his hands to bestow unto us, if we but learn to seek and trust him. JESUS COVERS ALL! 

Find comfort and peace in Isaiah 53. Allow it to resonate in your hearts. Allow your minds to grasp, that through Jesus' birth, his ministry, his crucifixion, his death, his resurrection, and his reign on the throne in which he currently resides, JESUS COVERS IT ALL! GOD LEFT NOTHING OUT!

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​                Isaiah 53           

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

 

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested?

For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death,

though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

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Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,

and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,  and made intercession for the transgressors.

(NIV)