THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Christ is the prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6) 

 

As result, the Lord wants us to have peace.

 

Isaiah 53:5 - " But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

 

True peace begins with receiving the prince of peace through the sacrifice of Christ.

Romans 5:1 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

 

It is only when we have peace with God that we can have peace in ourselves and others.

Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."

To keep the peace that God gives his children, we must keep our minds steadfast on Christ. In other words, we must dwell on His love, faithfulness, and promises. We must trust that He knows all about us, and that He will care for us. We must trust His provision and protection. In this way, the peace of God will remain in us.

Psalms 4:8 - "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,make me dwell in safety."

 

Along with this, we find peace when we cast our cares upon God.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 - " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

 

A Spirit controlled mind brings peace as well.

 

Romans 8:9 - " The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."

Another key to having the peace of God is walking in obedience to His commands.

Psalms 119:165 - "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble."

Isaiah 48:18 - "If only you had paid attention to my commands,your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea." (see to 48:22; 57:2)

 

Isaiah 32:17 - "The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."

Obeying God's commands brings internal peace and keeps us from being disciplined by God as well as protecting us from many hardships that we bring upon ourselves.

 

It is important for us to have a heart of peace because it promotes health.

 

Proverbs 14:30 - " A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

 

As sons of the prince of peace, we must not only have peace, but  we must be ambassadors  of peace.

Psalms 34:14 - "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." 

Romans 12:18 - "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

 

Romans 14;19 - "  Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

 

As ambassadors of the prince of peace, we most proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ salvation.

 

Isaiah 52:7 - " How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

 

Those who walk in peace are wise because there is a future and a hope for him.

 

Proverbs 13:17 - " Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace."

 

THE FRUIT OF FEARING THE LORD

What are the benefits and fruit of fearing the Lord?

Brings wisdom - Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Adds length to life - Proverbs 10:27 - "The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short."

It is a fountain of life - Proverbs 14:27 - "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death."

Humility, & Blessing - Proverbs 22:4 - "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."

A deterrent to sin - Exodus 20:20 - " Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

Blessing - Psalms 31:19 - "How abundant are the good things

that you have stored up for those who fear you,........"

Eyes of the Lord are upon us (We have his special attention.) - Psalms 33:18 - "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,on those whose hope is in his unfailing love," ( See as well Psalms 85:9; 115:11)

God delights in those who fear Him - Psalms 147:11 - "the Lord delights in those who fear him,who put their hope in his unfailing love."

God will confide in us - Psalms 25:14 - "he Lord confides in those who fear him;he makes his covenant known to them.

WE NEED NOT FEAR - PART 2

We all deal with fear. It is a real problem. Yet, the Bible clearly tell us not to fear.

God tells us not to fear the reproach of men.

Isaiah 51:7 - "“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart:Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults."

Sometimes, we are afraid to share our faith with other because we are afraid of what they will think of us or react to our testimony. In the same way, we are often afraid to speak the truth and against the sin in our society. Yet, God spoke to Jeremiah not to be afraid of speaking the Word of the Lord to others.

Jeremiah 1:7-8 - " But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

I should not fear anyone for the Lord is my refuge and strength.

Psalms 27:1-3 - " The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. ³ Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident."

I must not fear death. I have to admit that I have had to deal with this in my life. Yet, the author of Hebrews says we must not fear death or be enslaved to it. We are enslaved to death when it has authority over us or gripped our hearts.

Hebrews 2:14-15 - " Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

WHAT WE NEED NOT FEAR

Fear is something that we must all deal with in our lives. There are many things to fear. Some have a greater problem with fear than others. I am one that struggles with fear. Yet, the Bible clearly tells us not to fear.

The Bible tells us not to fear our enemies. Hopefully, while we are their enemy that we don't consider them our enemy. God teaches us to love our enemies, but not to fear them.

2 Chronicle 32:7 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.

When we are being persecuted, we must not be discouraged. When we have people out to harm us we must not be afraid.

2 Kings 32:7 - " Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me."

When people tell lies about you and try to belittle you or try to put fear in your heart do not let fear creep in.

Psalms 3:6 - "I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side."

We do not need to fear the night  nor the evil plots set for us or those who slander us.

Psalms 91:5 - " You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,"

It is often at night time when we are by ourselves that fear enters our hearts and mind. It is in the night we often imagine all kinds of things that are not real or will never happen. Yet, we must rebuke those thoughts and declare God's word. When people slander us, it is like arrows to the heart.  Malicious words can be very damaging and bring in doubt and fear. At times like this, we must declare the good things that God has said about us which are many and remember His great love for us.

Psalms 23:4 - "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

We must not fear evil tidings or sudden disaster.

Proverbs 3:25 - "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked."

I know for me this is my biggest area of fear in my life. I call them the what "ifs" of life. I tend to imagine worse scenarios. We have no control over what is going to happen to us today or tomorrow, but we must rest in God's great love for us and His perfect control over all that happens to us.

Matthew 6:34 - "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Even when troubles come, God is with us and will deliver us.

Psalms 40:2 - " He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."

John 14:27 - " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."





 

God Created Us for a Reason

Have you wondered why God created us.
Was he bored one day, and deciede to create us?
Was he needing more subjects to serve Him?
Was he not content with having the angels worshiping Him?

He created us despite knowing that we would disobey Him and give Him all kinds of grief. It is some what of a mystery, but the Bible gives us at least 4 reasons.

Colossians 1:14 - "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."

One of the reasons he created us is for us to serve him. We are not our own. We belong to God. We need to recognize this truth and submit to Him.

Isaiah 43:7 - "everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

Another reason he created us is for His glory. I think that when we were created, all the angels in heaven stood amazed.

Psalms 139:14 - " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Hebrews 2:6-8 - " But there is a place where someone has testified: 

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.”

Since he created us for His glory, we are to live in such a way to give or bring him glory. 

I Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

A third reason he created us was for good works.

Ephesians 2:10 - " For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

The Bible tells us the good works that we are to be doing. First and foremost when we obey God's Word, we are accomplishing God's purposes or works. 

Ephesians 1:4 - " For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."

When we walk in love we will do good works. We will show kindness and compassion. We will help the weak and needy. We will fight for justice and truth. We will defend the defenseless. We will speak for those who don't have a voice. These are only a few of the good works that God asks us to do.

Matthew 22:37-40 - "
 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Last but not least, he has created us to have fellowship with Him. 

I Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

It is for this reason that He died on the cross that we might be purified from all sin and as result able to have fellowship with Him.

 

Lovers of Pleasure

2 Timothy 3:4 - " treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."

Paul in 2 Timothy talks of the characteristics of those in the last days. What struck me here is "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". It doesn't say evil or bad pleasures. Even good pleasures can keep us from serving God and growing in Him. We may neglect reading God's word, praying, attending church, not serving in the church, and serving others because we are engrossed in some earthly pleasure. Some of the pleasures that may be harming our relationship with God and others is T.V., Social media, internet, sports, entertainment, and socializing, among others. If you noticed, I didn't name any of the bad or evil pleasures, while these are surely included.

What pleasure in this life has taken the place of your love for God or diminished your love and commitment to Him?

Prosperity Doctrine is Self-centerdness

The prosperity doctrine is very strong in the church, and at its root it is self-centered.

James 5:3 - ".... You have hoarded wealth in the last days."

James 5:5 - " You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter."

The apostle James is rebuking those Christians who are materialistic and self-centered. The Lord has promised to meet our every need, not our every want or desire. Our Father loves to give good gifts, but hates selfishness and greed.

Often people use the O.T. scriptures to preach their prosperity theology, but don't consider why God blessed Abraham and the people of Israel. It was that they might be a blessing to the nations and the furthering of God's kingdom and glory.

2 Corinthians 9:11 re-enforces this idea. "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

How many cars do you need? How big or fancy does your house need to be? How many expensive vacation trips do you need to take? How many shoe or clothes do you need? How many times do you need to eat in fancy restaurants? How much investments or savings need to be socked away? How many toys or things do you need?

Ultimately only you and God can answer these questions, but I encourage you to take a hard look at your own life. Many a person could live off of 50% of their income or returns on their investments and give the rest to help others and the work of the Lord.

Remember, your wealth and money is not yours to do with as you will, but is God's to do with as He wills.