August 2, 2017 – John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27.

What brings you joy?  What excites your wonder and anticipation of every tomorrow?  It is the gift and the meaning of this gift that only Jesus can give us.

Every time I look into the sky and see billowing clouds moving, I wonder, is this the day when Jesus comes?  Then I remember this scripture from Acts 1:9-11. After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.  As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

He will return from heaven…and when He does, my joy will know no bounds.  The lyrics of a hymn sings unbidden in my heart. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For His Eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.  This joy comes from the gift from God through Jesus Christ.  When we accept Jesus and open His Gift, we will find hope and a taste of Heaven to come.

‘The gift that keeps on giving’, describes belonging to Jesus. There is no expiration date on this forever gift. For we know  Jesus is coming back again, in the same way as He left.