Heart trouble seems to be an all-too-common ailment in this modern age. The apparent cause is an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, but the myriad of concerns that occupy the minds of many may also be the culprit.
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)
According to Jesus, the remedy for worry is a two-pronged faith: in our Creator Father, and in His Son, Jesus. Specifically, that belief is to be based upon the fact that both our Father and His Son are active in preparations for our place in their family. Contrary to common misunderstanding of this passage, it's not about preparations for "pie in the sky when you die", but a place in the presence of Christ when He returns to rule the earth. The preparations He has been busy making for over two thousand years will culminate when He receives us to Himself at His return, according to these verses.
We might well summarize Jesus' "antidote" for anxiety as being faith in: (1) the presence; and, (2) the plan. He elaborates on the aspect of presence further down in John fourteen:
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18).
The dynamic Spirit of God, unleashed at Pentecost following Jesus' ascension to the right hand of the Father, represents the presence of Jesus to us. He is present to us is a way that is to our "advantage" (John 16:7) as He actively prepares a place for us in the family of God.
I need not elaborate on the troubles that may be weighing down your heart as these words reach you today; they are painfully evident. The greater reality, however, is the truth concerning the Presence and the Plan. We are not orphans in this world, distanced from our Savior who spoke these encouraging words. Through the realm of Holy Spirit, He is much closer than we likely realize, and is actively working on our behalf according to the great Plan.
It's the easiest thing in the world to do, but "do not let your heart be troubled". Our hearts belong, not to the concerns of this age, but to the Savior who bought us with His sacrifice so that we might truly believe in Him and our Father.
The Presence is certain, and the Plan is on track. Rejoice!
Steve
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)
According to Jesus, the remedy for worry is a two-pronged faith: in our Creator Father, and in His Son, Jesus. Specifically, that belief is to be based upon the fact that both our Father and His Son are active in preparations for our place in their family. Contrary to common misunderstanding of this passage, it's not about preparations for "pie in the sky when you die", but a place in the presence of Christ when He returns to rule the earth. The preparations He has been busy making for over two thousand years will culminate when He receives us to Himself at His return, according to these verses.
We might well summarize Jesus' "antidote" for anxiety as being faith in: (1) the presence; and, (2) the plan. He elaborates on the aspect of presence further down in John fourteen:
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18).
The dynamic Spirit of God, unleashed at Pentecost following Jesus' ascension to the right hand of the Father, represents the presence of Jesus to us. He is present to us is a way that is to our "advantage" (John 16:7) as He actively prepares a place for us in the family of God.
I need not elaborate on the troubles that may be weighing down your heart as these words reach you today; they are painfully evident. The greater reality, however, is the truth concerning the Presence and the Plan. We are not orphans in this world, distanced from our Savior who spoke these encouraging words. Through the realm of Holy Spirit, He is much closer than we likely realize, and is actively working on our behalf according to the great Plan.
It's the easiest thing in the world to do, but "do not let your heart be troubled". Our hearts belong, not to the concerns of this age, but to the Savior who bought us with His sacrifice so that we might truly believe in Him and our Father.
The Presence is certain, and the Plan is on track. Rejoice!
Steve
posted by steve @ 8:37 AM
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