I have some great news to share!!! Please read this short message all the way through!

“Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27a NKJV).

Pass the Peace!

To say we are living in perilous times might well be an understatement. But we were forewarned in Scripture about perilous times and perilous men. Paul put it this way:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV)

We are living in those days now. Times are chaotic! And perilous headstrong, boastful men who have a form of godliness, but deny its power are in high places of leadership in this nation. But we, the people of God, are not unnerved by any of it, because Jesus left us with a gift. It is the gift of peace, His peace which guards our hearts and minds. It is not ordinary peace as the world might give. It is the LORD’s perfect peace that will “calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge” (AMP).

One of my best friends, Pastor Alfred Holston, was diagnosed a few months ago with a severe form of cancer. He has been undergoing chemotherapy and last week underwent major and very complicated surgery. But through it all he and his wife, Co-Pastor Jo Ann Holston, have expressed to me frequently that they have been filled with amazing, indescribable peace. And there is more good news which they asked me to share. The doctors say the operation was a complete success! They do not believe he has any more cancer! He is requesting your continuous prayers because he still has what the doctors describe as a long road to recovery and will undergo more cautionary chemo treatments. But the peace of God which Jesus passed to His disciples before He ascended back to heaven is surrounding him. He wanted me to share that with all who have been praying for him.

In essence Pastor Holston is just doing what all of us who are disciples of Jesus and recipients of His precious gift of peace are supposed to do—Pass the Peace! In these perilous times, infuse the atmosphere around you with the peace of God! Pass the Peace!!

Focus Quote: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NIV).