'My Peace I Give To You': John: 14:27 (Peace)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Peace?

Close your eyes and take a minute or two to recall the moments in your life when your level of peace was at its fullest.

Select 'Successful' when you have those memories firmly established in your mind.

What circumstances or difficulties are preventing you from experiencing that same level of peace right now? Be specific.

Write your answer in the space provided.

Read John: 14:27:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Stay with this verse a moment, then select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers comments on John 14:27.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald writes:

"Whenever we experience something difficult in our personal life, we are tempted to blame God. But we are the ones in the wrong, not God. Blaming God is evidence that we are refusing to let go of some disobedience somewhere in our lives."

Regarding your answer in Step 3, how frequently do you find yourself blaming God for your difficulties?

Oswald observes:

"Our attitude must be one of complete reliance on God."

Take another moment to imagine yourself trusting God to resolve every issue that is bothering you right now. Imagine Him taking care of those issues in a manner that exceeded all your expectations.

Again, stay with this until you have it firmly established in your imagination, then select 'Successful' when you ready to proceed.

If you were able to imagine yourself trusting God with all your problems, do you agree that this is the essential relationship God desires to have with you?

Oswald continues:

"But as soon as we let go, everything becomes as clear as daylight to us. As long as we try to serve two masters, ourselves and God, there will be difficulties combined with doubt and confusion."

Think about that last statement and then take a moment to get quiet.

When you are ready, ask God to reveal to you how you have been serving two masters, yourself and Him, in your life.

Write down anything you receive in the space provided. (Note: if you do not receive anything, answer this question to the best of your ability).

Given your answer in Step 9, is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)? If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Oswald states:

"God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus. Whenever peace does not come, wait until it does, or seek to find out why it is not coming."

Continue to seek God. Ask Him to reveal to you what you can do to receive the gift of His deep peace right now.

Write what you receive in the space provided.

Oswald adds:

"My questions arise whenever I cease to obey. When I do obey God, problems come, not between me and God, but as a means to keep my mind examining with amazement the revealed truth of God. But any problem that comes between God and myself is the result of disobedience. Any problem that comes while I obey God (and there will be many), increases my overjoyed delight, because I know that my Father knows and cares, and I can watch and anticipate how He will unravel my problems."

If you received an answer in Step 11, are you willing to follow through on it right now?

When we arrive at the point of being completely reliant on God, Oswald boldly states:

"There is nothing easier than living the life of a saint."

And, once again, asserts:

"Any problem that comes while I obey God (and there will be many), increases my overjoyed delight, because I know that my Father knows and cares, and I can watch and anticipate how He will unravel my problems."

Looking back on your answer in Step 3, is there anything you would like to thank or praise God for?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

How much has this Trail increased your current level of peace?