Blessings from Jesus

I woke up this morning at Noon - blessing number one. Yeah, I said noon, 12:00p, you know, when the sun is directly above your head... I also spent last night in bed for the first time since Kenya a few weeks ago, so I'm not surprised I slept for so long, and Jesus provided such rest. I'm also thankful that I got to wake up and take a shower (blessing number 2)... something I hadn't done yet in London.

This morning, er... afternoon I woke and went outside into the park that surrounds the hostel I'm staying in - blessing number 3. The hostel is beautiful and the park that surrounds it is called Holland Park - breathtaking in Autumn (#4). After some time on a bench in the Park, I walked to a Costa Cafe for some coffee.

In the Cafe I got to spend 4 or 5 hours reading and writing/praying. The Lord placed a few people in my path and challenged me a bit, but all in all a beautiful day, full of rest, full of Him. Rest that I haven't really had recently. My body was tired. I love being free to study and spend that much time in Jesus (#5). Feels good.

Here's something the Lord hit me with today:

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When He had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." John 20:19&20 (#6).

The disciples were riddled with fear for they suspected the Jews were about to do the same to them, that they did to Jesus. I can only imagine what my heart would feel and all the scenarios that my mind would be tormenting me with while locked up in a room, hiding. Then Jesus busts in from who knows where, and who knows how, but He does -- He enters a locked room. As He appears, He says, "Peace be with you." And He does so, not as a greeting. (Side note: we've perverted that into a greeting/farewell - we can't give peace, we can just beg God for it.) Jesus busts all up in that room and delivers just what the disciples need. He spoke directly to their heart. And the best thing is He'll do that for us, today. The disciples were overwhelmed with an earthly fear and Jesus gives them peace. In fear, Jesus dispels it and brings His peace to our soul. In return, while carrying His peace with us, carrying Him with us, He demands that we go out and speak to others; to be His light in the uncomfortable, and dark situation. He gave us faith (#7). He gave us Truth (#8). He gave us His Love (#9). He gives us the understanding of life and who life is made for (JESUS). How can we not tell everyone? How could we not want to be the Son of Man's light into a barren world?

I needed to hear that from Him today.

Blessings from Jesus = His peace, His eyes, and His heart -- Him -- while I'm in a city that desperately needs Him. I pray His blessings upon us and that we strive to bring Him glory.