Diane Musil is a special friend of this ministry. Here is a picture of Diane with "Pup". I asked Diane how long she has been a Christian, and she responded, "I was saved 7/7/1977. Diane explains, "That is when I first became saved and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord!!!!" She is a women of faith and a powerful prayer warrior. Diane loves the Lord with all of her heart and has a deep abiding relationship with Him, born out of life's struggles.

Since the beginning of this ministry, Diane has been an encouragement to Rhonda and me. We asked Diane if she would be willing to write devotionals, which we could add to this website, so that other people would be encouraged too. Diane graciously responded, "Yes,".

 

Diane is Deaf and legally blind, caused by being born almost three months premature. Many years ago, Diane was visiting at the Retreat Center here and preparing to share in chapel. Diane was in the kitchen, and I happened to walk in on her as she was reading her Bible and praying. Diane had her Bible within three inches of her eyes as she diligently, slowly, was reading the Word of God. I backed out of the kitchen. That image of Diane reading her Bible has spurred me on to be faithful in reading the precious Word of God. Rhonda and I pray that God will encourage you as you read Diane's devotional below. Diane has lived in the Chicago area her entire life.

 

May God encourage and bless you,

Gary

 

PS: Would you like to experience peace, joy, and eternal life? You can! Click here.

BIBLE VERSES: JOHN 14:25-27

(Contemporary English Version) "I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take My place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid."

Many people try to find peace in the world and the things in the world, but they will not find peace in that way. It is very clear in John 14:25-27 that there is only one way to experience true peace. True peace comes from Jesus--He IS the Prince of Peace.

I want to encourage you with these words Jesus said from the above verses:

"I leave you peace."

"I give you peace."

"Don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

JESUS IS THE

PEACE-GIVER!

 

Maybe you are thinking--what is peace? In the Old Testament the word is "Shalom". Shalom carries a deeper meaning than our English word for peace.

The meaning of Shalom is:

Wholeness

Healthy

Security

 

Peace is grounded in God's Promises--The Word of God. Shalom Peace is not related to cirmcumstances, or what is happening around us, or what we are going through. Peace is from Jesus, as we bow the knee to Jesus and surrender to Him, surrender to His Sovereignty.

(Picture © Luke Barrett, Peaceful River in the Chickasaw National Park, Sulphur, Oklahoma)

TRUE STORY

Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) was a successful lawyer in Chicago. He experienced great tragedies incuding the death of his four year old son in 1871 due to scarlet fever. Shortly afterwards his prime property was lost in the great Chicago fire that devastated the city. Two years later he decided to take his family on a vacation to Europe and meet up with his dear friend D. L. Moody. He was detained in Chicago on business and sent his wife and four daugthers on a ship ahead of him, promising to follow a few days later. However, the ship his wife and childen were on was struck by another ship and sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 12 minutes. His wife was pulled from the water, unconscious, but lived. She sent a telegram to her husband with the words, "Saved Alone". Horatio took the next ship to Europe. When the captain of the ship neared the spot of the ship wreck, he called for Horatio so he could see the place where his four daughters had died. He went to his cabin and prayed. It was then he wrote this song, "It is Well With My Soul", that has ministered to millions of people around the world for almost 150 years.

To read more about his life and to see pictures click http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/americancolony/amcolony-family.html

 

SONG

"It is Well With My Soul"

Words by Horatio Spafford

Music by Phillip Bliss

 

 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way;

  When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

  It is well, it is well with my soul.

 

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

  Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

  And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

 

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

 

He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;

  My sin, not in part, but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.

  Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.

 

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

 

And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight

  The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;

  Even so, it is well with my soul...

 

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

PRAYER

Dear Jesus:

Thank you for the examples of the faithful Christian brothers and sisters who have gone before us lighting the path showing your supernatural Shalom Peace. Jesus, give us your Shalom Peace, too, at all times and in every way; Lord be with us (2 Thessalonians 3:16). In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN.