January 17 ~

"This I command you, that you love one another" ... Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything ... be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed ... "He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne"...
Jn.15:17 (NAS); Phil.4:6 (Amp); Josh.1:9 (KJV); Rev.3:21 (NAS)

But Jesus, my Dislike, Distress, Dismay
all feel like "me" -- exactly like "my own" ...

Child, am I not thy Life, thy Truth, thy Way?
Such thoughts aren't Me! Sit by Me on My throne
and let Me rule within. Dislike will flee,
dissolve away, and gentle Love will come.
Thou'lt empathetic, understanding be.
Let Love fill thee - 'Tis Me! - and we'll be one!

But what of my Distress, Dismay? They too
don't come from Thee? Of course not! But ... they're here!

Again, come to My throne -- and share My view!
Aren't all things in My hands? What could I fear?
In Me thou wilt have peace, and comprehend
My loving purpose in the things I send ...

____________________

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands ... I have told you these things so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer – take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted -- for I have overcome the world ... Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need ... From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view ... if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ... that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ... "Abide in Me, and I in you ... for apart from me you can do nothing" ... "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" ... your Life ...
Jn.13:3 (NAS); 16:33 (Amp); Heb.4:16 (RSV); 2Cor.5:16,17 (RSV); 5:21 (NAS); Jn.15:4,5 (NAS); 14:6 (Beck); Col.3:4 (Beck).

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