Experiencing the peace of God internally — in the deepest part of your soul — is experiencing the put-back-togetherness that is found in Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, in relationship to the Father.

The writer of Hebrews said it this way: “Brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a way, the life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” Peace is a person. His name is Jesus!

Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame. He took not only our sin but also our shame on the cross. On the cross, Jesus ran so that we could be brought near.

As we kick off this week, let us be grateful and aware of God’s life-changing power in each of us, giving us all a new story and a new name. May our hearts be turned back to our true love, who loved us even when we didn’t love ourselves.

Let’s take our rightful places as God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, allowing God to work in and through us to love those that are around us. As we are encouraged by the words of Paul, let us also encourage others. Let us posture ourselves and encourage others with the good works that we do.

We have a God who has moved in our direction and gone to great lengths to demonstrate His love and affection and place His wholeness on us through salvation in Jesus. This is a gift of God. It’s a free gift, a good gift, nothing that we could ever earn in our own power or strength.

God is rich in mercy. It’s the Greek word plousios, and it means superabundant, without limit, or unmeasured. Aren’t you grateful for a God who never runs out of mercy? The mercy shop is never closed, and everything is free.

If you struggle with your selfish nature, you are human like the rest of us. God desires to affect the very nature of who we are and reveal truth that will set us free!

If we just look at these two verses and nothing else, life seems dark and hopeless. But as Christ-followers, this isn’t where the story ends. Satan’s power won’t fester forever. In the resurrection, Christ is victorious over the enemy and any power he yields.

Pastor Mark shares with us two thoughts today, two theologies: God is bigger than big. God is closer than close.