Colossians 4:2
In 1964, Communist Simba rebels besieged the town of Bunia in Zaire. They arrested and executed many citizens. A pastor by the name of Zebedayo Idu was one of their victims. They sentenced him to death before a firing squad and placed him in jail for the night. The next morning he and a large number of prisoners were herded onto a truck and driven to a public place for execution. With no explanation, the official told the prisoners to “line up and number off – one, two, one, two, one, two.” The “ones” were placed in front of the firing squad, and the “twos” were tak en back to the prison. Pastor Idu was among those who were spared. Back in their jail cells, the prisoners could hear the sound of gunfire. The pastor took advantage of the dramatic moment to share the story of Jesus and the hope of heaven. Eight of the prisoners gave their lives to Christ that day. About the time Pastor Idu finished sharing, an excited messenger came to the door with a release order. The pastor had been arrested by mistake and was free to leave. He said goodbye to the prisoners and hurried to his home next to the chapel. There he discovered a crowd of believers who were praying for his release. When they saw the answer to their prayers walk through the door, their prayer service turned into a praise service. The same God who heard the prayers of the New Testament church in Jerusalem and saved Peter from execution, heard prayers from Zaire and delivered their pastor (See Acts 12:5). And God is still listening, so keep praying!
A Habit of Thanks
As my wife and I were coming closer to our wedding date, as a part of our engagement process, the preacher who performed our wedding ceremony would regularly share wisdom and insights for our future together. One of the powerful gems he shared was, “As you live and grow together, make it a habit to express your appreciation to one another.”
Over a decade later, I can now see the truth and benefit of his wisdom. And while I have not always lived up to it, there is a tremendous blessing in making it a habit of being thankful and appreciative; not just in marriage, but in life.
Every aspect of our lives can use more thanks and gratefulness. Habits are addictive practices that are formed over a period of time through repeated acts.
How differently would you approach life if you expressed more gratitude than frustration? A sink full of dishes really means that not only do you have a house to live in but you have had food to eat. An empty tank in your car means that you’re not walking from destination A to destination B. Having limited closet space shouldn’t be a point of aggravation, but an intersection of gratitude and servitude (give some of the clothes away!). Loud children running around simply means that you were able to birth them and there were no miscarriages or tragedies.
Quite candidly, we have shortchanged ourselves by only focusing on gratitude, thanksgiving, and appreciation when November rolls around. In many cases, we have disrespected God by saying that we’re thankful when in reality we have only focused on ourselves and our bellies.
A scripture that we quote often has a principle in it for thanksgiving. It speaks to having a habit of thanks that is undeniably strong and engaging. David writes in Psalm 34:1, “I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.”
How can we approach life with a greater appreciation for it? How can we approach each day with a greater sense of thanks to God, people, and the circumstances that we are in? Although we can’t answer the totality of that question in one setting, we can get started by:
Being strategic. We are strategic with our relationships, education, calendars and even entertainment. Let’s schedule and be strategic with our time to be grateful and express our appreciation to God. Daily, weekly, monthly and annually, we ought to set aside time to only express gratitude.
Being structured. How can you be structured in expressing your thanks for life and living? Make a list! It has been said in many arenas of life and on multiple levels, journal your appreciation. For those that don’t journal, without feeling overwhelmed with the process, simply keep a sticky note or an electronic document of all of the blessings that you daily receive. You will be amazed at all that you can be thankful for.
Being sacrificial. Don’t just be thankful for what you like about your life. Be thankful for everything. This would include the good, the bad and the ugly. Notice what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 shares: “In everything gives thanks.” When you express gratitude in tough times, you force yourself to adopt a mind that is more like Jesus Christ than satan. Further, it forces you to begin to see situations from God’s view versus your own view.
Habits aren’t created without starting something small first.
Today, you can begin to create a new habit by doing something small, yet significant, right now. Take some time to tell God how much you appreciate Him. If you start now, it’ll be a habit in no time.
by Christopher Harris
I HAD A DREAM – A VISION FROM GOD 10th November 2016
Last night, after all the stress of the most damaging rain storm I have experienced in many a year, I went to bed thinking of all the problems that this storm stirred up.
People were having to drive almost blindly in the cloud burst. We kept hearing reports of flooding on the free ways. Cars were flooded, people were stuck in their vehicles. Heard a report that a truck slammed into 9 cars in the Giloolies interchange and the list goes on and on.
Then this morning on the news we heard that 6 people had been killed in the storm.
There they were minding their own business trying to get home safely and they never made it home. I feel for their families because they were expecting their loved ones to come home unscathed and they didn’t come home at all.
Anyway to the crux of this missive.
I had a disturbing dream last night and would like to share it with you, as I do believe it’s a message from God.
For those who are sceptic, remain sceptic. However, I do believe that the Father spoke to my spirit last night and I need be obedient to Him.
Neville and I were sitting in the front garden at Bergroos street just having some down time and I noticed that the trees leaves were blowing in the wind. We could not feel the wind, as high walls encompassed the garden, the only way we knew the wind had come up was the leaves flowing in the breeze.
The next thing that we saw was the trees themselves were beginning to shake backwards and forwards and then down, they came down with a booming crash to the ground.
We realized that the wind velocity had increased. It happened in just moments and we decided to go inside.
Now it was hardly any distance from where we were sitting to the front door, but in a flash this wind whipped up and we were virtually shoved towards the door by the wind.
When we got inside the house we tried to close the door but the pressure against the door was hectic. Both of us tried to push the door to close but to no avail.
I believe we were experiencing a cyclone. The wind whipped all around the place and we were sucked out of the house into this great windstorm.
As we were being sucked up further and further into the storm clouds, I looked around and we were just surrounded by debris.
Metal roofs, slats of wood. Trees. Branches, plastic garden furniture, anything that the wind pulled up all around us and such turmoil I have never experienced. And the noise was deafening. Couldn’t hear anyone speaking to me and we were tossed to and fro.
Eventually there was silence. I knew without being told we were in the eye of the storm and we were waiting to either drop down or go higher. What do I know about these things?
In that silence I heard the Father’s voice speaking to my spirit.
“Don’t be afraid, I have a plan and a purpose for this storm and you will come out unscathed. Just keep your eyes on me.”
That was all He said.
I had this impression that there was something more to come.
At that stage I was just thinking that if God is going to take me home to heaven through this, then I need to be ready. I looked over my spiritual situation at that moment and realised although I had every confidence, that I was right with God, I had better make sure.
With some introspection, I realized that I just needed to re-dedicate myself to God. I can remember telling Neville that he needs to be ready to meet his Maker as I wanted to get to heaven with him if that was the case.
At that time, I just released myself to God again. I just asked for His forgiveness for anything that I might have missed and I asked Him to show me my unconfessed sins. I then had a time to address my sins and ask again for His forgiveness.
All this time I did not feel any terror in myself, just total peace. Then I felt as if my spirit was leaving my body and I yielded myself to leaving this earth. An absolute sense of calm came over me and it’s like going under an anaesthetic, one minute you’re conscious and the next, not!
All that I wanted at that moment was to meet with Jesus. I was preparing myself for this awesome encounter and waited.
Then in an instant, the storm picked up again and I was hurtling around in the air again.
The moment of expectation had gone…
That is when I woke up.
I must tell you I was very, very disappointed that this had been a dream, but the message that come out of it is this;
We never know when it’s our time to leave this mortal coil. It could be today, tomorrow, whenever. However, God knows the plans and purposes He has for our lives.
When people commit suicide, they go against God’s will, but we who are here and now, we need to just trust that God knows what He’s doing with our lives, we need to be ready for any eventuality.
I truly feel for those who never made it home yesterday due to storm and accidents, however, my hope for them is that they had a relationship with God and knew that that their future with Him is heaven, is way greater than their future here on earth.
God bless and I pray that you truly seek the Father and make sure that your lives and relationship with Him is good, that you may never experience the torment of hell for eternity.
Important Recall Notice
The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed “Sub-sequential Internal Non-morality,” or more commonly known as S.I.N.
Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.
The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is:
P-R-A-Y-E-R
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.
Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
Warning: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on JESUS.
Danger: The human being units not responding to this recall action will still have the SIN defect and will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father at any time by “Knee-Mail”.
–author unknown
If We’re Honest
Christian music has some wonderful, and powerful, lyrics.
So many times, we may not have a chance to fully understand those lyrics when we are listening to a song because we get enthralled with the beautiful melody or the voice of the artist.
If We’re Honest
Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
I’m a mess and so are you
We’ve built walls nobody can get through
Yeah, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do, ever do
Bring your brokenness, and I’ll bring mine
‘Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy’s waiting on the other side
If we’re honest
If we’re honest
Don’t pretend to be something that you’re not
Living life afraid of getting caught
There is freedom found when we lay
our secrets down at the cross, at the cross
Bring your brokenness, and I’ll bring mine
‘Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy’s waiting on the other side
If we’re honest
If we’re honest
It would change our lives
It would set us free
It’s what we need to be
Bring your brokenness, and I’ll bring mine
‘Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy’s waiting on the other side
If we’re honest
If we’re honest
When you obsess over problems instead of looking to God for solutions, the enemy will magnify your fears. If he can’t get you to worry about the present, he’ll remind you of everything that could go wrong in the future!
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “All I have seen has taught me to trust God for all I haven’t seen.”
The last time you checked, wasn’t God still bigger than any terrorist attack, financial disaster, illness, accusation, or mess you found yourself in? Well, He hasn’t changed!
David said, “He won’t go to sleep. The Lord is at your right side. [He] will keep you safe wherever you go.” (Ps 121:3-8)
It all comes down to faith versus control. You can struggle to handle things on your own, or trust your Heavenly Father. That’s the choice!
It’s not about ‘blind faith;’ it’s about believing that God is who He says He is. And it’s an issue you need to settle in your mind once and for all, because if you don’t believe He wants only the best for you, you’ll keep trying to run the show.
Control isn’t responsibility. Responsibility is doing your part by praying, obeying, and trusting God. Control is manipulating the circumstances to engineer the outcome you want.
Jesus knows how we like holding on to things we’re not wise enough to control, so He said, “If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give [it] up for me, you will save it” (Luke 9:24).
Bottom line: you either trust God or you don’t!
By Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
Jesus, Our Friend – Wendy
I am currently teaching my guitar students a simple song to get them used to changing chords on the guitar and the one song which I am sharing with them is “Jesus loves me this I know”
This song led me thinking about the Love God has for us that He sacrificed His Son –Jesus Christ to the world of sin and darkness. Such is the love of God. No man can claim that they have sacrificed their child to save the world. But our heavenly Father can claim this. How awesome is the love of God towards His children?
As we look at Jesus’s role on earth whilst He was here, He bore all our shame, our sin, our pain and the list is endless. He did this out of His love for us too.
When Jesus came into the world in human form, He changed our relationship with God forever. He made it possible for us to become adopted sons and daughters in God’s family, co-heirs with Him to the gift of eternal life with the Father.
Ephesians 1:
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.…
But He gave us another gift few of us ever open: His friendship.
He experienced firsthand the loneliness of being human, and He saw that as much as we need a saviour, we also need a friend.
John 15:15
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”)
What better friend could you have? Jesus is steadfastly loyal.
He forgives your every fault.
He supports and encourages you when you need it most, and He listens whenever you want to talk. He is a tireless listener.
Jesus loves you as a friend who wants to see you grow to your full potential.
There is no jealousy in Him. He wants only the best for you.
Enter more deeply into friendship with Jesus this year.
You can trust Him. If you reach out and accept the friendship He offers, your life will never be the same.
God Bless you all.
When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong – by David Stewart
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
A man recently asked me what the Bible meant by the statement, “For when I am weak, then am I strong.” Interestingly, I had been thinking about the same exact Scripture myself the few days before. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit works. I would like to now share with you what I shared with this gentlemen.
“Faith” cannot grow without trials. If our faith is to increase, then we must go through living H-E-double-toothpicks (HELL) to get there. One’s faith CANNOT increase without problems, trials and hardships. When a person asks God for more faith, that person is asking for an increased burden. It is the increased burden that strengthens me to carry a heavier burden down the road. Unshakable faith comes from having your faith shaken.
Read the following Scripture…
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The Apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh, given to him by God to keep him humble. Paul asked God three times to remove the thorn but God refused. We don’t know what the thorn was except that it was a “messenger of Satan.” Some believe that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was bad eye-site, since Paul used other men (such as Timothy) to write some of his books. Perhaps Paul had an enemy. The Bible does not specify.
A Thorn in the Flesh
I personally suffer from permanent spinal cord damage. My suffering began in March of 2004. I had 2 surgeries (2009 and 2010) which left me worse off than before. Under the circumstances I would get the surgeries again because of the intensity of my pain and misery. I have neuropathy (nerve damage), stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord passage), and radiculopathy (burning, tingling, weakness, pain and a puffed-up feeling in both arms and legs). It is very much a thorn in my flesh. I am afflicted daily in my body. Albeit, God is using my affliction to humble me, compel me to pray, and cause me to focus on eternal things. My life ended in 2004 as I knew it, and I am now surviving, eagerly awaiting my resurrected body at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
I don’t enjoy life anymore because of my bodily afflictions. My arms feel twice their normal size and my fingers tingle all the time as if I just finished using a floor sander. My right leg and arm feel half asleep all the time. I have sharp pain radiating down my limbs, especially down my right arm into my right thumb. I have constant agonizing neck pain and take 120 mg. of Oxycontin daily which just takes the edge off the pain. I also suffer from chronic neck stiffness, which feels like my neck is ready to explode all the time. It makes it very difficult to conversate with people. I am afflicted from head-to-toe, daily, every day. Yet, God uses my affliction to keep me humble and it compels me to set my affection on things above. Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Paul eventually figured out the reason for the thorn (weakness) in his life, because God wouldn’t remove it. We don’t know what Paul’s thorn was, but Paul knew, and he realized that his “thorn” was being used by God to keep him humble. Notice that the Bible says Satan sent a messenger to buffet Paul. That is very interesting. God wanted to keep Paul humble. God was using the Apostle Paul immensely and the temptation existed for Paul to become proud. It would have been easy for Paul to become elevated in his own eyes. So God allowed Satan to afflict Paul, with what the Bible calls “a messenger of Satan.” 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
The Greek word for “messenger” in 2 Corinthians 12:7 is aggelos and means “to bring tidings; a messenger; especially an ‘angel’; by implication a pastor.” The Bible teaches that God allowed Satan to afflict Job’s health. Paul’s thorn in the flesh could have been a bodily affliction. We do not know for certain. Albeit, we do know that God intended for the affliction to keep Paul humble. Paul had been used greatly by God and the temptation existed for self-glorification. Paul said that Satan sent a messenger, which God allowed to keep Paul humble, and it certainly did. I know that my own bodily afflictions keep me humble, very much so.
Blessings in Disguise
The problems in our life are often blessings in disguise. We must learn to view them from this spiritual point of view. The greater the burden placed upon us, the greater the faith required to “hang-in-there.” It takes faith to continue living for God when things turn for the worse in our life. As an example, new muscle in the human body is built (strengthened) by exercising the existing muscle to the point of exhaustion.
Likewise, the exercising of our faith (the trial of it) will make us more mature and stable in the Lord if we will be patient and not give up. Sometimes our faith falters for a while, but the righteous man who falleth seven times rises up again (Proverb 24:16). I don’t know of one Christian who is invincible. The key is to always get back up off the ground, brush the dust off, and do what you can to get back on track for God. Pray and ask God to help you. Proverb 24:16, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
The Bible teaches that the trials and tribulations in our life are more valuable than gold. In fact, the Bible literally says MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD… “much more.” 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” What an amazing truth. It’s hard for me to view my bodily affliction as being much more precious than gold, but that’s exactly what the Bible teaches. It is my hope of Heaven that compels me to redeem the time by serving Christ with my life. We all have 24 hours in a day. It is the decisions that we make on a daily basis that defines our life. A man is not defined by what he is, but by what he does.
Most people love money and it is how Satan recruits them to serve him (1st Timothy 6:10). The faithful Christian must decide that money will never be an issue. Psalm 15:5 teaches that those who lend out money at interest or accept money to take advantage of others are given to change. Psalm 15:5 says that if you want to never be moved (sinfully compromise), then don’t let money be an issue. Jesus plainly taught that NO PERSON can serve God and mammon (wealth). It’s one or the other. Everyone is controlled by wither faith in God or love for money. Most people, including religious people, love money and make most of their decisions accordingly. It is love for money that causes ministers to compromise their stand, trim their sermons, and sell out for Satan.
Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Too many believers are choked by the cares and riches of this world and give up; they never win anyone to Christ. We should all be soul-winning Christians (Proverb 11:30), holding forth the word of life (Philippians 2:16). The word of life is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:15, God calls the feet of believers who preach the Gospel “beautiful.” Certainly God wants all believers to have beautiful feet. Every believer is capable of sharing the Gospel with the lost. There is no call to preach the Gospel, it is a command for all Christians.
In Matthew 28:19-20, we are all commanded to preach the Gospel and mentor others with the teachings of Christ (primarily, how to go win others to Christ). God intended for the Gospel to perpetuate itself. If I lead someone to the Lord with the Gospel, and then teach them how to go win souls, then I have perpetuated the Gospel. This is what the Bible means when it says to preach the Gospel to the whole world. Certainly it would be humanly possible for any one man, or even a group of people, to reach the world by themselves. However, if you teach others how to perpetuate the Gospel, then it can be done. This is why the Lord was able to choose 12 apostles, and yet 2,000 years later the entire world is hearing the Gospel.
Whatever the afflictions in your life, let it become a blessing by sharing the Gospel with others. Let your suffering count for the kingdom of Heaven. Make sure that you’re saved, and then do what you can to live your life for God to lay up treasures in eternity (Matthew 6:20). I was sad when I watched Steven Hawkings (an atheist) talk about the universe and evolution from a wheelchair. Hawkings is a quadriplegic who denies the Creator, the Bible, and Christianity. It is sad to see a man suffer so much in this life, just to suffer in Hell when he dies. It doesn’t have to be that way. This article is about finding strength from our weakness. That can only be truly done in Jesus Christ.
Without Christ there is no hope in the afterlife (Acts 4:10-12). I don’t understand how anybody can sincerely read and study the Bible without being convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Who came into the world to save sinners (John 20:31). John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” I believe, why don’t you join me if you haven’t until now? Make Heaven your eternal destination, resting upon the promise of God for your salvation. Why trust the speculations of unsaved men, when you can claim the faithful PROMISE of God (Titus 1:2)?
John the Baptist became discouraged while in Herod’s prison. He was eventually murdered by Herod. Surely, if John had lived, John would have gotten back on track for the Lord in a matter of time. Peter had quit the ministry and gone back to his old fishing job. In time, Peter got right with the Lord and began preaching the Gospel again. So be encouraged friend if you become discouraged, because a just man falleth seven times yet riseth up again (Proverbs 24:16). Get back up! Don’t quit!
Increased Faith Can Only Come from Increased Suffering and Tribulations
As believers, we must learn to recognize the burdens upon us in life as blessings from the Lord. Nothing can happen in my life without God’s permission (God’s permissive will). Knowing this fact, we should trust upon the Lord and rely upon His wisdom and guidance. If we are to please God, we must have “faith” as Hebrews 11:6 teaches. We cannot please God without faith. To have more faith, we must have our faith shaken because unshakable faith comes from having our faith shaken! Do you want more faith? Then God must cause you to suffer.
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)
The disciples had no idea what they were asking for. Faith can only be increased through hardships and trials. The disciples had many obstacles coming their way, eventually they would all be martyred for Christ. Peter could not have preached the sermon on Pentecost as he did, if it were not for the times when his faith with tested. Peter at one time denied even knowing Christ; but Peter didn’t stay down, he got up. God is pleased when we get back up after a fall, but He is even more pleased when we “hang-in-there,” serving the Lord while the burdens become increasingly heavy in our life. It takes a greater faith to keep going when the going gets tough. Our weakness is actually our strength…
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
It is during the troublesome times of our life that we will be forced to place a greater faith in God if we are to continue serving Him. Many believers quit and give up on the Christian life. They never do anything for God. They stop telling others about their wonderful Savior. They are NOT “soul-conscious.” As I mentioned earlier, I find no teaching about “degrees” of faith in the Bible, you either have faith or you don’t. God does not require any certain amount of faith, just faith! Some people may have a stronger faith than others, but it is faith—not a higher degree of faith—just good old faith. A believer with greater burdens will have to have a greater faith to make it through, but it is not a “degree” or “level” of faith, it is simply faith. What I am trying to say is that God does NOT require a certain level of faith to save us nor to answer our prayers, He only requires child-like faith.
There will be times in our life where we will have to pray for a long time to get certain prayers answered. The Bible calls these type of ongoing prayers, “supplications.” The Greek word for “supplication” as in Philippians 4:6 means “petition.” I have many “petition” with God. These are certain things that I keep praying and asked God to take care of. God may never fulfill these prayers, but I have done what I am required by God by casting my cares upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). Paul cautions us in Philippians 4:6 NOT to fret and worry about our problems. Rather, we are to take EVERYTHING to the Lord in prayers and supplications with thanksgiving, relying upon God to take care of the things beyond our control.
So keep in mind from now on that the problems in your life are the biggest blessings to your faith (and faith pleases God).
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
What an amazing Scripture passage! God wants us to consider it a joy when the problems of life overwhelm us. Notice that the word “patience” is mentioned twice. It takes patience more than anything to live for God. We are living in a heathen world under a heathen government. Yes, it is difficult to hang in there sometimes, but God will see us through. God says to be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Count it all “joy.” We ought to count the hardships and temptations in our life a joy because God uses them to build us up in the Lord. A faith must be tested. Anyone can have faith in God during good health, prosperity and good times; but we find out who’s who when their is tragedy, heartache and suffering. We must be patient. In time, if we don’t throw in the towel and quit, then we WILL reap if we faint not in the Lord. The Bible says that joy cometh in the morning. You cannot have true joy without first experiencing true sorrow.
Our capacity for suffering enlarges our capacity for joy, but joy only comes in the morning, after enduring sorrow for the night. A life of sorrow will be followed by the joy of Heaven for each believer. Those who never truly suffer cannot appreciate and enjoy the blessings of God’s goodness as much as those who suffer. The farther a pendulum swings one way, the farther it also swings the other.
True suffering and sorrow can only lead to joy and peace if a person is a Christians. The Bible says blessed are they who DIE IN THE LORD (Revelation 14:13). There is NO peace to the wicked (Isaiah 57:21).
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
It’s more than just mere coincidence that God mentions wisdom along with the trials of our faith. Perhaps the greatest wisdom a Christian can obtain is the wisdom that his or her problems are actually tools used by God to strengthen and mature us. Remember, unshakable faith comes from having your faith shaken. So rejoice in your problems, they are your strengths which make God strong in your life. The first step to wisdom is to fear the Lord, trusting upon His guidance and wisdom in the trials He allows in our life. Most believers get upset and discouraged because of their problems (I’m preaching to myself here as well).
Thankfully, I have learned that my problems are really rainbows in disguise. No, I don’t want the problems. However, I cannot always make them go away as soon as I wish I could. Some problems never go away (such as Paul’s thorn). Problems are a part of life. Life is what happens to you while you’re making big plans. The world hates God and curses His holy name because of their problems, but the believer must learn to do the opposite. We must praise the Lord at all times, not being ignorant of the workings of God. Our weaknesses are really our strengths and our strengths weaknesses. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Saviour.
Terrific Potential
Description: A green two-way street sign pointing to Dead End and Opportunity
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
A shoe manufacturer decided to open his business to the Congo market and sent a salesman to the underdeveloped country.
The salesman wrote, “Prospect here nil. No one wears shoes.”
The manufacturer wrote back, “Market potential terrific! Everyone is barefooted.”
At times, all we see is our faults and failures, and we convince ourselves the prospect of our spiritual success is nil.
Fortunately, we have a God who sees not only our past and present sins and mistakes; but He also sees our hopeful future, that one day we will be finally renewed and eternally with Him!
He has the ability to see the big picture and understand that our earthly struggles with our human nature will end once and for all when He returns for us. If we would keep that in the forefront of our mind, we might never lose hope.
We cannot let the enemy constantly remind us of our failures and convince us that our shortcomings define who we are.
Instead, we have to meditate on God’s Word, allowing Him to renew our hope that one day we will be like Him.
by David Jeremiah
Steps Out Of Anger – by Dr. David C. Cooper
We all have to deal with anger. So, how can we resolve anger?
Here are five important steps to get out of the anger trap:
Step 1: SORT IT OUT
Try to understand why you are angry. Remember, there is a difference between the normal irritations in life and a persistent state of anger.
Step 2: COUNT THE COST
One of the predominant causes of divorce today is negative behavior such as unkind words, abuse and constant fighting. One psychologist says that an angry confrontation can erase 20 acts of kindness. The point is, anger can cost us dearly if we do not keep it in check.
Step 3: LET IT OUT
Release your anger to God in prayer. Tell God how you feel. He can handle it. Then go talk about it with a friend. Or, even the person you’re angry at, if you can do it constructively. Whatever you do, don’t keep your anger locked up in your heart. Repressed anger visits in a host of emotional and relational problems.
Step 4: SET LIMITS
That means to control your words and behavior. God tells us to get a grip on our tongues: “When words are many, sin is not absent. But he who keeps a tight rein on his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). Don’t cross the line of verbal or physical abuse no matter how frustrated you get. Don’t justify or excuse such abusive behaviors.
Step 5: GIVE IT UP
As Christians, we do not have the right to remain angry. In Christ, we have given up that right. We surrender our anger to Him and forgive others as He has forgiven us. When we forgive, we are free indeed. Free from resentment, bitterness, and anger.
So, as we walk today through the mine field of relationships replete with misunderstandings, remember the word of God: “Be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26).
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!!!! – 12 March 2015
Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Philippians 3: 1 – 21
Righteousness through Faith
- Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
- Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
- For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
- Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
- Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
- Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Knowing Christ is Above All
- But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
- Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
- And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
- That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
- If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Press on Toward the Goal
- Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
- Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
- I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
- Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Citizenship in Heaven
- Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an exsample.
- (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
- Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
- For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
To rejoice in the Lord is a different kind of joy from the happiness you will find in the world. You might temporarily find happiness in money, power or pleasure, but it is fleeting and sooner or later the surge of emotion makes way for a kind of insatiable emptiness.
The joy Paul speaks of does not depend on luck or success. It doesn’t even depend on basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter or freedom. This joy comes from the inexhaustible source of hope, comfort and love that is in Christ. All you need to experience it, is to completely trust in Jesus Christ and not rely on earthly things.
Paul tells us very clearly that all earthly glory and honour is worth nothing compared to the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ. Jewish circumcision and law-keeping, and all the zeal in the world means nothing in light of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Paul uses very strong language to say that he considers everything garbage, rubbish, waste and worthless compared to Jesus Christ.
Experiencing the power of Christ’s resurrection exceeds all else. The knowledge that you have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, that you died with him and that you will live with him, is so strong that everything else fades in comparison and becomes null and void.
We can experience the true inexhaustible joy Paul speaks of. It is the kind of joy that I so often see in the eyes of a believer, even if they are lying on their deathbed. It is the kind of joy that allows a believer to turn from the side of a grave and testify to the hope, comfort and peace in the midst of pain and sadness. It is the kind of joy that Christian martyrs sang hymns about while they burned at the stake. It is the kind of joy that nothing and no one can steal or take away. May you experience this joy!
Prayer: Dear God, I am so grateful and glad for the privilege of knowing you. Thank you that I can live today in the power of your resurrection. Thank you for your joy welling up in my life through the work of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that you are the source of my joy. Amen.
A Life Of Success – Wendy 14 January 2015
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
How does a person achieve extraordinary success?
Ken Kragen, a major Hollywood agent, took talented performers like Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt and Lionel Ritchie and made them superstars. His observations on what makes the difference between a star and a superstar might surprise you. Lots of people sing beautifully, work hard and stay focused, yet still don‘t make it to the top.
According to Ken, author of Life is a Contact Sport, superstars are usually the people who get the most help. He taught his clients to cultivate help by making more contacts, sending more thank you notes, and just being nice. Being helpable is key to achieving your full potential. God answers a request from Paul in 2 Corinthians with the phrase we all know so well, My strength is made perfect in your weakness.In other words God is saying to Paul, By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, you can be so much stronger. If you try to do everything on your own, you’ll only get so far.
Paul may not have been able to accomplish what he did for the Kingdom of God if he had not understood this message. By opening himself up to God’s help, Paul achieved superstar status in the Bible. He appreciated God’s direct help spiritually, as well as the help he received through the people God had placed in his life. In most of Paul’s letter, we see him thanking his brethren and asking for continued help and support.
By admitting you have weaknesses and need help, your life will be so much more successful. By allowing God to work with you and through you, achieving success is not only easier, it’s more lasting and more fulfilling.
Being created by God, we all have the potential for being superstars in the kingdom if only we allow ourselves to accept His help.
The Predicted Names of Messiah
January 2015
No Old Testament prophet had more to say about the promised Messiah of Israel than the prophet Isaiah. In a period spanning at least 64 years, Isaiah (whose name means “the salvation of Jehovah”) was God’s spokesman to Israel during the reigns of four kings Uzziah (or Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
Isaiah predicted a coming messianic age marked by world peace. He foresaw a world government in the last days that would turn the eyes of the international community of a Servant-Ruler who would bring a mysterious bled of power and suffering (Isaiah 53; 61:1-3). But the character of this coming Servant is most clearly stated in Isaiah 9:6, where the prophet declared:
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
While it was clear that Isaiah was predicting a coming world leader and the inevitability of a messianic age, Isaiah was actually predicting the arrival of the Son of God. This could not have been seen until after Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Prophetically, Isaiah saw the day when a son of Israel would bear upon His shoulder the weight of world leadership. In Chapter 2, Isaiah predicted that in the last days the house of the Lord would be established in Jerusalem. He said the Lord Himself would “judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore: (Isaiah 2:4).
|
Those who have bowed their knee to this coming Messiah and Lord can find present encouragement in that future day. While we regard as mythology the image of Atlas bearing on his shoulder the globe of the world, we can see in God’s Messiah a real Lord who can carry the combined weight of all human problems. Inexpressible comfort can be found as we discover that the “shoulders” which will someday carry the government of the world are large enough to bear any personal weight or burden that we bring to Him now.
The Character of Messiah. “…and His name will be called…” Hebrew names are significant. The prophet used a marvelously descriptive set of names to unfold the very essence of the person of the Messiah. Isaiah used four compound names, each giving a different window through which to view the Son of God who was to become the Son of man for us. These four names shape our understanding of who God’s Messiah is. They can help us develop a personal relationship with Him, and show us in moments of fear where to find Him.
Let’s take these names one at a time. The first of them is “Wonderful Counselor”
A Guiding Name:
“Wonderful Counselor”
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given …..
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor.
The name “Wonderful Counselor” literally translates, “a wonder of a counselor.” But what does it mean? Let’s look at it in two parts.
|
Wonderful. The first is the word Wonderful. The Hebrew word Pala indicates “something uncommon or out of the ordinary.” It reflects “a phenomenon lying outside the realm of human explanation; that which is separated from the normal course of events; something that cannot be explained.”
The same Hebrew word is used in Psalm 139:6 in just this way: “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.” It is something miraculous! The problem is that we have a low view of the miraculous, and there fore a limited sense of wonder.
A real wonder is something beyond human explanation. And the prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Child and Son would be a wonder. This not only describes what He does, it describes who He is. Do you see Him that way? He, Himself, is the wonder!
Counselor. The second part of this compound description of the coming Messiah is Counselor. In its historical Hebrew usage, the word is used to picture a king giving counsel to his people. Micah declared the dilemma of the captives in Babylon this way, “Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in your midst? Has your counselor perished?” (4:9).
|
Long before the Child was ever born, long before the Son was given, Isaiah foretold that God was planning to send a Counselor for the brokenhearted people of the world. And long after Jesus’ entrance into the world we can see that He personified the kind of counsel that will go out from Jerusalem in the last days.
- “He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord form Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).
- “… the Spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Isaiah 11:2).
- “… the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance” (Isaiah 28:29).
When you take all that we know about Christ, it adds up to a marvelous truth – He is the God who is, and who is called a “Wonderful of a Counselor.”
A Powerful Name:
“Mighty God”
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given …..
And His name will be called … Mighty God.
The name “Mighty God” is an Old Testament title here applied to the coming Messiah. It is the compound Hebrew term El Gibbor, and both parts of the name need to be understood.
|
God. The first part of the title is El. Even though Jesus Himself pointed out that the title is sometimes used of mighty sons of men (John 10:34), El is so often used of God, and only God, that the prophet Hosea used El to set God in contrast to man in Hosea 11:9.
Isaiah9:6 was predicting One who would be far more than a man. This is indicated not only by the third name “Everlasting Father” and by other prophetic references such as Isaiah 2:1-4, but by the New Testament record f Christ. Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). He is the One of whom John wrote:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (John 1:1-3).
Mighty. The other part of the name is Gibbor, which manes “strength, power, hero.” What a statement! In a world where heroes are determined by their athletic prowess of financial power, we are told that the only One truly worthy to be adored is the One whose might is unparalleled! Isaiah 10:21 describes Him as the refuge of the remnant, and Deuteronomy 10:17 declares that He is the “great God, mighty and awesome.”
*****
The focus of Isaiah’s prophecy is El Gibbor, the Mighty God who is our true Hero. What this prophet in the seventh century BC anticipated, the New Testament confirms. Because the Messiah would be God, He would have God’s power. But to Isaiah, the amazing thing was that the Messiah would not only have the power of God, He would be the God of power!
In other parts of his prophecy, Isaiah gave more details of what this mighty power would look like, for instance, in a messianic section of his prophecy, Isaiah declared:
The Spirit of Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tiding to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified (61:1-3.
Jesus used Isaiah 61:1-3 to make His claim as the Messiah (Luke 4:16-21). But because only partially fulfilled this prophecy in Hs first coming, He was only partially recognized. By His resurrection, perfect life, sacrificial death, and many mighty signs He showed we could trust Him to return one day to rule the world. Most of His own people rejected Him. John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
|
In many cases, however, Jesus was recognized as the long-awaited Messiah. Nicodemus, a rabbi of Israel, recognized Him (cp. John 3 with John 19). The disciples recognized Him (cp. Matthew 8:27 with 16:16). Mary Magdalene recognized Him, and her life was transformed (Luke 8:2). Others’ lives were changed as well, even the life of the church’s most feared persecutor, Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9). These and thousands of other first-century Jews believed-and for good reason. Jesus Christ proved Himself to be El Gibbor as He displayed His life-changing might and power.
*****
For those who see their need of a Savior, the evidence of Christ’s mighty power is overwhelming. For those who sense their own weakness and inability to live up to God’s standard, the apostle John wrote, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
|
What the New Testament provides is an opportunity to see the fullness of the “Mighty God” Isaiah was predicting. The clear statement of the Word of God is that Christ displayed His might in the creation of the world before He physically entered the world. John 1:3 says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
Colossians 1:16 agrees: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
*****
|
In the midst of evidence that shows Christ to be the Mighty God, it is important to remember that this is more than just theological data. It is divinely inspired evidence that urges us to see and respond to Christ as He is-our “Mighty God.”
In view of the predictive evidence of Isaiah and the historic record of the Gospel, how can we see our Lord Jesus Christ as anything less than the Mighty God, El Gibbor?
A Timeless Name:
“Everlasting Father”
Unto us a Child I born, unto us a Son is given …..
And His name will be called … Everlasting Father.
The symbolic use of the word father was an ancient Hebraism for “possessor of.” In Isaiah 9:6 the Messiah is described as both a Son and a Father. He became a child in time (through the incarnation), but He is the Father (and possessor) of eternity.
|
He inhabits and possesses eternity. “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones’” (Isaiah 57:15).
His name is eternal. “His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed” (Psalm 72:17).
He is the eternal provider. “He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.’” (Revelation 21:6). He is eternal in all that He is and all that He does! This implies several crucial truths claimed for god’s Messiah in both Old and New Testaments:
He is preexistent. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).
He is self-existent. In Exodus 3 we find the name “I AM.” This name describes and defines the God who is. He is totally independent of His creation, and totally independent of time.
He is the God ho is Alpha and Omega, the God of the eternal present tense. As self-existent, He is wholly and completely self-dependent. Frederick Faber wrote, “No age can keep its outward years on Thee, dear God! Thou art, Thyself, Thine own eternity.”
In the events recorded in John 8:12-58, a fascinating dialog occurs. The exchange is between Jesus and His religious antagonists, the Pharisees. Jesus called God His Father. The Pharisees called Abraham their father. Jesus said that if Abraham were their father they would do the works of Abraham. They responded that at least they were not born of fornication (implying that Mary had been sexually active before marriage), and then matched Jesus’ claim that all have one Father-God. To this Jesus replied:
If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came form God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do (John 8:42-44).
The Pharisees were making their claim to Abraham and to the God of Abraham, but Jesus wasn’t backing down. More important, He clarified that their link to Abraham was only physical. Spiritually they were of their father the devil.
Then Jesus made the most amazing statement of all: “Before Abraham was I AM” (John 8:58). To His countrymen, He had finally gone too far. They recognized that by such a claim He was making Himself equal with God. (In Exodus 3:14, Moses met the God who identified Himself as the “I AM WHO I AM.”) As on several other occasions.
|
Jesus so infuriated the Pharisees that they pick up stones with the intent to kill Him. In retrospect, we can see more than the Pharisees’ rage. We can also see One who by His miraculous life, death, and resurrection has shown His right to the name Isaiah’s prophecy had given to the Messiah 600 years before Jesus’ birth.
The truth of the eternality of the Messiah is something that has come under continuous attack for centuries. But the inescapable fact is that all groups who reject the eternality of Christ also reject His deity. The two are inseparable! If Jesus is not eternal, He is not God-and vice versa. Yet Isaiah said that when Messiah came, He would be the physical embodiment of the Everlasting Father.
The ability of Christ to be timeless source of fatherly protection and provision is claimed in a number of ways in the New Testament.
- His character is described as eternally consistent and immutable (unchanging). Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
- His New Testament title Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8) uses the first (alpha) and last (omega) letter of the Greek alphabet to symbolize that Christ is before everything and will surpass everything.
- He declared that His divine judgment will be an eternal one (Matthew 18:8).
- John the Baptist, whose birth preceded Jesus, still recognized the eternality of Christ when he said, “This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me’” (John1:30. He is the eternal One!
*****
The self-existence of God’s Messiah means that He will not leave us, as all earthly fathers eventually do. The Eternal God took upon Himself the limitations of a human body so that He could bring us into an everlasting relationship with Himself.
May we take time to think about Christ, the timeless One who invaded time to rescue us from sin and self. He is the Father of Eternity who has given eternal life to make it possible for us to have eternal peace with God and with one another.
A Comforting Name:
“Prince Of Peace”
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given …..
And His name will be called … Prince of Peace.
The name “Prince of Peace” is the Hebrew Shar Shalom, which means “the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures the peace.” This sets Him apart form most human rulers whose reigns often depend on bloody conquest. His rule rests on a bloody sacrifice! What a contrast to such biblical kings as Nebuchadnezzar, and even David, whose rule was established on might, but not necessarily on right.
The name “Prince of Peace” helps to explain shy Jesus disappointed His countrymen when He came! They did not want a peaceful prince. They wanted a monarch who would annihilate their foes and establish again the glories the kingdom of Israel knew in the golden days of Solomon.
They wanted the Roman rulers taken away and all their other oppressors with them. But Jesus didn’t lift a finger against Rome. He didn’t make one international peace treaty. How can He then be considered the Prince of Peace? Notice two very different statements from the New Testament. Luke 2:14 states, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” But in Matthew 10:34, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
How can these two statements be reconciled? Can we blame Jesus’ countrymen for rejecting the Prince of Peace if our own world is still engulfed in conflict as we move into the third millennium?
|
The New Testament says that the first phase of His coming was to establish a basis for peace with God and to offer it to individuals of all nations. The New Testament also claims that He will come a second time to bring peace to the earth. The first phase of Messiah’s coming produced a peace unknown to man since the fall of Adam into sin. It is rooted in the saving mission carried out by Christ on our behalf.
Paul wrote:
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation (2Corinthians 5:19).
This means that the peace Jesus brought is more than a negotiated ceasefire between ourselves and God. It is a peace that changes us from enemies into the children of God. We clearly see the evidence that Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” in the New Testament:
His power. So significant was the power of the Son of God that He was able to bring calm to the natural storms on the turbulent Sea of Galilee. “He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).
His cross. So effective is His work on the cross that it is able to make peace between God and man. “It pleased the Father … by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” (Colossians 1:19-21).
His gospel. The good news of salvation in Christ is acknowledged as the root of peace in the hearts of the redeemed. “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).
His body. Though Judaism separated Jews and Gentiles, Christ has not only reconciled God and man, He has reconciled Jew and Gentile so that we are now one body in Christ. “He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Ephesians 2:14).
What is the importance of the name “Prince of Peace” to the believer today? Those who trust Christ as their Mediator and Savior are given by God an assurance that flows out of a right relationship with Him. Once we are in Christ, the Prince of Peace shows us that He can bring peace wherever He rules. He can bring:
Peace in life’s trials. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
Peace in life’s maturing process. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).
Peace in life’s victories. “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20).
Peace in life’s relationships. “….. endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
*****
What a treasure is ours in Isaiah’s predicted Messiah. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. May we give Him worship, as we ponder the great God that He is!
This is the claim of the Bible and the heartbeat of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ is God and He came into the world to save sinners. What is your response to that claim and to the evidence that He is the only deliverer for sin-laden, lost people who are the object of God’s love? Will you receive His gift of forgiveness and be saved?
If you already belong to God, having been rescued from your sin and its just punishment, will you live under His perfect will and wisdom so that He may guide you into a life that pleases Him? May it ever be so, for He brings peace wherever He reigns.
-A Gift of Christmas-