Romans 8:6
Knock, Knock
Have you ever experienced someone who you deeply love being distant with you? Maybe your spouse has become busy at work and “doesn’t have time” to talk. Perhaps a child or the person you were dating moved away and it seems they’ve forgotten you. Or, perhaps someone you care about has put Jesus on the “back burner” and doesn’t want to talk with you about spiritual matters.
Just as we yearn for a relationship with those we love, James 4:5 tells us that Christ longs for a vibrant relationship with us. “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously desires (longs for) the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us’?”
Yes, the Lord created us with the capacity to have His Holy Spirit in us and to be in an intimate relationship with Him through the Spirit. The Spirit seals us for eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).The Spirit empowers us to witness and walk out our Christian faith (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit is the One through whom we have intimate conversations with the Lord. (Ephesians 6:18, Romans 8:26)
James 4:5 is a wake up call to believers who are neglecting time and intimacy with Christ. What can we do if that has been the case; if we have been ignoring Christ’s Spirit who dwells in us? We can open the door to intimacy with Him as Revelation 3:20 tells us. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me,”
Lord Jesus, YEARNING SAVIOR, You long for intimacy with me. Forgive me for my preoccupation with other things. I love You and desire increased intimacy with You, Lord.
Would you like to learn more about Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit? Listen to this podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.
True and Lasting Peace
Many of us today seek peace. We may watch a movie or scroll through social media to distract us from anxious thoughts. We may pursue financial security, hoping money will bring peace.
Although pursuing things in search of peace may not be bad in and of itself, it’s important to recognize the source of true peace, which Judges 6:24 explains is the Lord. “Gideon built an altar to the Lord and named it ‘The Lord is Peace.’”
The Lord is Peace. Jesus affirmed this before His ascension into heaven. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). The peace Jesus promised wasn’t just for the disciples, but for us. Jesus understood the troubles and trials of life. But in the midst of them, He gives peace that supersedes what the world offers. I came to know this peace when I was 29 years old and received a letter from MD Anderson telling me that I had Stage 1 ovarian cancer. I experienced it again in 2024 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and went through chemo, a lobectomy, and radiation treatments into 2025. Even now, as I take a daily pill that targets the gene that caused my cancer, I continue to rest in Christ’s peace. As I cried out to God, He assured me that He would be with me, my husband, children, and grandchildren. If I died, He would take care of them and I would be in heaven with Him. Jesus’ peace flooded my soul.
Do you know His peace? Do you practice and experience Philippians 4:6-7 “…be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If you don’t know the peace Jesus offers, cry out to Him today. Proclaim as Gideon did, “The Lord is Peace.”
Lord, thank You for the PEACE You give that is not of this world.
If you or a loved one are walking through cancer or another difficult season, we invite you to visit Hope for the Cancer+ Journey. There you’ll find encouraging resources, uplifting music, and reminders of God’s presence to help you experience His peace day by day.