What We May Find Within

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:18 am Post subject: What We May Find Within

What We May Find Within

Scripture:

And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles and in the communication of the breaking of bread and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul. Many wonders also and signs were done by the apostles in Jerusalem: and there was great fervor in all. And all they that believed were together and had all things common. Their possessions and goods they sold and divided them to all, according as every one had need. And continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart: Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you shall greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in diverse temptations: That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now though you see him not, you believe and, believing, shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Now when it was late the same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them: Peace be to you. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the Lord. But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said: Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas: Put in your finger hither and see my hands. And bring hither the hand and put it into my side. And be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God. Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his name. (John 20:19-31)

Reflection:

Can we imagine the fear of the apostles as they walked among the people after their Teacher had been taken from them and crucified? The question must have been in every mind, what will happen to those who follow Him? Will they meet a similar fate? Could any have blamed them had they fled to other lands in fear of those who would persecute them?

Though they walked in fear, they also walked with the courage of their belief. Many had witnessed the events of Jerusalem and many wondered what they should believe, lest their belief should lead to their ruin; but what does ruin in this world matter if the choice we make leads to the ruin of our soul for eternity?

And so it was, the apostles remained true to their Teacher and brought together others who believed in Him, living according to His Word, caring for one another. Blessed are those who learn what is possible through Him and seek His path for through His grace and mercy, eternal peace shall be theirs.

Of Him, some have heard and from what they have heard they seek Him. Though they do not see Him, they feel Him through prayer, they feel Him through their hearts. The more they learn of Him, the more time they spend with Him through His scripture and in prayer with Him, the more they come to understand. As they learn of Him, they also learn of themselves and what is possible if they all follow Him to guide them away from sources of selfishness and trouble. Blessed are those who find Him and walk with Him within their hearts for all their challenges will become bearable until the day that all the burdens of this world shall be discarded for the blessings to be received in His kingdom.

For some, they know what is true through what they find within, but for others, they only believe in what they can see, hear, smell, touch or taste. They seek to sense that which is without, but do not understand fully that which is within. If we exclude Him, we will not feel Him, but if we invite Him within, we will know Him well beyond what the senses of our body might reveal.

Blessed are we that He has sent to us the Holy Spirit, for through what He reveals to our heart, we are able to share His blessings with one another. It is the Holy Spirit which may guide us through all fear, just as He guided His apostles through the dark moments of His suffering and death, but more importantly stood before them so they might understand the fullness of the glory of His resurrection. For a moment He offered the hand which had suffered, but more importantly, He offered of the heart which gave them strength to go forth and do what He had commissioned them to do. He desires no less for any of the children of His creation, for each was created with the opportunity to share and live as an example of His Word. Blessed are those who are not blinded by the world, but find Him within them, for eternal peace shall be theirs.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier