1. I have learned for myself that God is
real, that He lives, and that He wants to have an ongoing, intimate
relationship with each of His children. (Jer. 10:10, Ps. 90:2, Heb, 3:4, 11:6)
– That gives me peace!
2. I have come to realize that all
people who have ever or will ever live in mortality are God’s children. The
human family is God’s Family which spiritually puts us all on an equal playing
field. (Gal. 3:28, Acts 10:34, Rom. 2:11, 10:12, Jn. 3:16) – That gives me
peace!
3. I know that God loves us all, more
than we can understand. He loves us as a doting parent loves His children. He
wants the best for us, is quick to forgive us, and wants us to return and live
with Him someday. (Josh. 1:9, Ps. 36:7, Jn. 16:17, Rom. 5:8) – That gives me peace!
4. I have found that God has a plan for
me (and for everyone else) – that means even though we might be lost or
wandering and directionless, God is vigilant at helping us make course corrections
according to His plan. (Jer. 1:5, 29:11, Ps. 33:11, 32:8, 2 Pet. 3:9) – That
gives me peace!
5. I have learned that my life (and
everyone else’s) didn’t mysteriously and miraculously occur at birth. We lived
with God prior to mortality as His spirit children (Jer. 1:4-5, Eccl. 12:7, Gal.
1:15, Eph. 1:4). We participated in the war in heaven (Rev. 12:11), and fought
for God’s plan to enter mortality, receive a physical body, and be tested. – That
gives me peace!
6. I have discovered that the Godhead
are three separate persons – God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy
Ghost. They are One in purpose, United in principle, but separate individuals.
Christ asked his disciples to be one as He and the Father are One (Matt. 3:17,
Jn. 17:21-23). Like Them, we can be one, unified together with each other, with
God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, and still be individuals. – That gives me peace!
7. I have come to understand how
important authority is in God’s church (Matt. 7:29, 28:18, Mk. 1:27, Jn. 15:16,
Num. 27:23, Ex. 40:12-16). And that only those that have been called and set
apart by someone who has been given authority from God are authorized to
perform the ordinances of salvation. It eliminates confusion. – That gives me
peace!
8. It’s wonderful, I’ve realized that
the heavens are not sealed, that God speaks to His children today. He is not
silent – God’s children of today’s modern world are as important to Him as His
children were in the first 4,000 years. He wants to counsel us and give us
direction, protection and hope regarding modern-day world challenges. He wants
a relationship with His children and is ever ready to make His will known to
us. Prayer works and prayers are answered (Ps. 33:3, 34:4, 66:33, 29:3-9, Jer.
10:13, 19:12-13 Ex. 20:1-17, Ezek. 12:25, Matt. 3:17, Jn. 16:24, 2 Pet. 1:21). Revelation
from God continues today. God’s communication is as relevant as ever and needed
now more than ever. There is no better way to know His will than to receive it
directly from Him. – And that gives me peace!
9. It’s so comforting to know that God is
a righteous and merciful judge. On judgement day, we will be judged
individually on our own faith and merits, and not compared to anyone else. While
judging He will perfectly balance justice and mercy. (Ps. 9:8, 33:22, Ezek.
33:20, 1 Sam. 24:15, Rev. 20:11-15) – And that gives me peace!
10. I’ve learned that the gifts of resurrection
and eternal life are available to all of God’s children. The gift of immortality
is available to all people, all nations, kindreds, tongues, black and white,
bond and free, male and female, Jew and Gentile, and everyone else. (1 Cor.
15:22, Jn. 5:24-26, 12:32, Rom. 6:3-5) – And that gives me peace!
_______________________________________________
There are dozens of additional
reasons that the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives peace.
With so much chaos and turmoil in the
world, peace seems elusive and fleeting to many. But the doctrines and
teachings of Christ’s gospel are a
beacon of light and respite, piercing through mortality’s heavy storms and
unsettling darkness. They offer us
safety, comfort, relief and tangible, essential peace.
Isn’t it wonderful that peace comes
to us from and through the Prince of
Peace? He said,
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I
give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid”
(Jn. 14:27). – And that gives me peace!
______________________________________________
Wm. Calvin Hughes | June 1, 2023
| Lake Elsinore, California
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