Third Sunday in Lent

Be Still:  Dear Father, may we turn to You and only You for our peace.  Please help us not to be troubled and afraid.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  John 14:22-31

²²Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

²³Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

²⁵"All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, 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. ²⁷Peace 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.

²⁸"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, ³¹but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.”

Be Stretched:  Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’.  “Let” in this context means “allow”.  What are you allowing to trouble you?  Of what things are you afraid?  Invite the Holy Spirit to help you think of tangible ways to not allow your heart to become troubled or afraid.  Jesus said He gives us peace, but not like the world.  What is the difference?  Pray that you would be surrounded by Jesus’ peace today and each day.