Jesus knew His peace would give us certainty and resolve for living in every day's reality‍

....for disciples of past generations, ....for us today, ....until He returns....

Because He too walked this earth, ....Jesus felt first-hand the "many trials and sorrows" we feel today.  That's why the "peace of mind and heart" He gives HAS SO MUCH SUBSTANCE ....we can feel it ....in our minds and hearts!

....Because JESUS KNEW the world's reality, ....He came to "overcome the world".

When we live close to Jesus, ....His peace fills our hearts and minds.  His presence crowds out fear and anxiety.  .......When our spiritual enemy the Devil tries attacking our thoughts with this world's troubles, trials, ....sorrows, .......do as Jesus said,....

......."Remember what I told you."

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Jesus prayed for us too at the Last Supper....

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one....  And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me....
 
"Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am (IN HEAVEN). Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!"
    — John 17:20-21,24 NLT

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There's much "Remember what I told you...." in above scriptures.  ....Did you hear Jesus say, He wants us to be IN HEAVEN with Him?  .......Hmm?, yes, ....please do stay here awhile with Jesus.  Drink deeply from His Words.

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God's plan is all about "IN HEAVEN"

....It is His only plan.  ....Our only hope.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is by His great mercy that we have been BORN AGAIN ( spiritual birth), because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now WE LIVE WITH GREAT EXPECTATION, and we have a priceless inheritance — an inheritance that is kept IN HEAVEN for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  
 
And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
   — 1 Peter 1:3-5 NLT

Life's purpose is to be in eternal relationship with God.

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By God's design, we are "eternal" spiritual beings ....living a human experience "in time".  ‍Why?  ....Because God gives us time on earth ....to choose to live with Him now, ....and thereby we are choosing to live with Him throughout Eternity IN HEAVEN.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who BELIEVES IN HIM will not perish but have eternal life (IN HEAVEN).
    — John 3:16 NLT

......."believes in him" is a choice.  And it's "THE choice" in life....

Why so simple? ....So everyone is equal before God.

It does not matter your cultural status, ....your race, age, physical abilities, or financial position.  Simply believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

Two worldview questions come to mind

....let's talk about them, because they will certainly influence your life's choices....

Your Present:

are you living today in Jesus' peace?

A question only you can answer.  If you are not living in "Jesus' peace", consider the following scripture, ....try it.  ....If you are living in Jesus' peace, ....thank Him for it.  ....And if you are back-and-forth on it, ....SMILE, ....I totally understand.  "Been there, done that" comes to mind.  Regardless, lets stay close to Him....

God has not left us guessing, but has given us a spiritual pattern to follow....

Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord!  I never tire of saying it: Rejoice!  ....The Lord is ever present with us.  
 
Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray.  Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come.   And know that the PEACE OF GOD (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) WILL STAND WATCH OVER YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN JESUS, the Anointed One.
   — Philippians 4:4-7 The Voice

TRUST GOD.  TELL GOD.  THANK GOD.

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Your Future:

are you mindful of Heaven's realities?‍

Do you wonder "what is Heaven like?".  I did an online search about the question, ....and found websites that are "Bible-believing" (a requirement) ....describing Heaven from an abundance of scripture (another requirement).  Here's some of what I learned....

Heaven is a place of eternal peace, joy, and communion with Holy God.  Jesus came here for us, so we could live there forever with Him.  (John 3:16)

Heaven is a realm of perfect harmony and union with God, where all suffering and pain are erased.  We will have perfect spiritual bodies.  (Rev 21:4)

Revelation describes heaven as a radiant city with streets of gold and gates of pearl.  Its reality is beyond our human understanding.  (Rev 21:19-21)

In Heaven, God has a place planned just for you.  (John 14:2-3)

....and much more....  

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  ....Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you LEARN TO KNOW YOUR CREATOR AND BECOME LIKE HIM."
    — Colossians 3:1-3,10 NLT

Seems the obvious question to ask is ....do we want to go to an "eternal" THERE ....following our "in time" human experience HERE?  Knowing we do, ....are we aware of the spiritual warfare challenges we can expect making our "Jesus-focused" choices in life?  

Let's talk about it next chapter....

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Download and print your copy of "3Rs + Prayer" Bible study guide.  In Chapters 16 thru 20, we discuss worldview perspectives ....foundational to building this study guide approach in Chapter 21.