“Peace”
Blessings Folk!!
So, the world awards itself with rewards for “peace” based upon “hopes and aspirations” of things to come.
LOL. Reward away…
The Lord reveals much about “peace” in His Word.
In the New Testament we see that “peace” is often spoken over one another.
Hear these powerful Words from the Lord via the prophet Isaiah:
Isa 26:3
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
KJV
Perfect peace comes from the Lord.
The Lord will keep us in perfect peace.
Our mind must be “stayed” - focused, attuned - upon the Lord.
Our mind must be regenerated by the Lord.
We do this by trusting in the Lord.
We do not trust in the way of man.
We do not trust in the actions of man.
We do not trust in ourselves...even the things we do “in the name of the Lord.”
We trust in the Lord.
But, there is more…
Read the initial context…
Isa 26:1-5
1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
5 For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
KJV
Did you note the timing reference?
“in that day”
We as believers in Jesus have peace now.
Israel will “in that day”...a day yet to come...the day when all Israel will look upon the crucified one and believe…
So, as the world continues to praise itself and its attempts at peace, remember this…
Isa 48:22
22 There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
KJV
Isa 57:18-21
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord ; and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
KJV
Isa 59:8
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
KJV
Therefore, live in peace.
Rejoice in peace.
Jehovah is everlasting peace.
Know that the world is not the source of peace, nor does the world know peace.
Lastly, we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Ps 122:6
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
KJV
A thorough examination of the Word reveals how the “peace of Jerusalem” will come...only upon the return of the Lord.
Rev 22:20-21
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
KJV
Yes Lord!
Come quickly.
Blessings!!
“Blessing of a Full Quiver”
Blessings Folk!
Read the following - Psalm 127.
Most of us will be familiar with many of the phrases.
We may not realize that they are found together in context.
Ps 127
1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord : and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
KJV
Several questions come to mind.
What are you building?
- Stuff?
- Power?
- Prestige?
Upon what are you building?
In Whom do you trust?
Do you sleep well? If not, why?
Are you giving life to vain things?
What do you consider to be your reward?
What heritage will you leave behind?
Are you happy?
To what do you give time, energy, life?
Let us seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...
“Do You Believe?”
Blessings Folk!
The family would be sitting together watching a television program.
Suddenly he would growl. A sound of a non-human animal. A look of evil in his eye.
When he would walk through the kitchen the cabinet doors would shake and shudder...not from the footsteps, but from some unseen force which was more real than that seen.
He ranted and raved for years.
The slightest of offenses would send him into a tirade of hate about what he would do.
Some said he was simply mean.
Some said that there was something more in control.
Decade followed decade.
Finally, he wrote down a list.
A list of who he would kill and the order in which he would do it.
First, he would kill his mother and father. Then he would kill “Billy”...a man who had only told him that “if you don’t like it here, why don’t you leave?”
The outburst more intense. All day long the 45 year old man blasphemed his mother and father. More and more.
He told them what he would do. The murders. The list.
He had it planned.
Finally, the threats exploded into action.
He picked up a crutch and attacked his mother.
Father picked up a gun and shot his son between the eyes, blowing out the back of his head.
Still, he lived a few hours...apparently the autonomic system had not been immediately impacted.
Father has not been “charged”. It was self-defense.
This occurred in the community where I sit. Happened a few days ago.
Sad.
Tragic.
But sadder still upon reflection.
I know first hand information about the matter.
Leaders and family within the Body of Christ knew that this man was possessed by demons.
None spoke of it save in the soft whispers of a trusted friend or loved one.
They openly acknowledge that they did not know what to do.
The church saw, but due to ignorance of the Word, they felt powerless.
Many within the church do not believe that demons exist.
They are wrong.
Many believe, yet they do not believe that they have power over evil.
They are wrong.
Jesus showed by Word and Deed what to do.
Jesus told us…
John 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
KJV
We learn much when examining the encounters that Jesus had with those demon possessed. Read a couple today…
- Matt 9:32
- Matt 12:22
- Mark 9:17
- Mark 1:32
- Mark 5; Matt 8:28
The church did not know “what to do.”
Here is what to do.
In the name of the Lord, tell the evil to leave.
Do not ask them to leave.
Do not ask the Lord to make them leave.
You, as a Spirit-filled vessel of the Most High God...by the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and in faith and belief in Him and His Word...command them to leave.
We do not have to yell and shout.
We do not have to recite “spiritual mantras”.
We do speak in the power of the Lord.
The name of the Lord.
The blood of Jesus.
1 John 4:4
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
KJV
Who knows what the Lord might have done in the above situation.
Now, do you believe?
Do you believe that the Lord desires to do the “works and greater works” in and through you?
If not, spend time in the the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
Ask the Lord to teach you. He will.
Set aside preconceived ideas, thoughts, understandings, fears and doubts.
Simply read the Word.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not live in self-imposed doubt.
We do pray for the family. Years of terror are now past. May the peace and comfort of the Lord continue to be with them.
Let us close with the “Great Commission” from the book of Mark...we usually hear these words from Matthew...most want to ignore Mark…
Mark 16:15-20
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
KJV
Go and do likewise.
Blessings!!
Those of y’all local…we begin a new Bible study next week...book of Samuel...will distribute workbooks at first gathering.
Mondays, 6 p.m.
or
Tuesdays, 9 a.m.
First Baptist, Cullman
“Wonderfully Made”
Blessings Folk!!
The Word of the Lord is Truth without fail.
I am experiencing a portion thereof...glory without end…join with me in praising the Lord
Ps 139:14-17
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
KJV
There is no doubt that the Lord God created all in the manner which He revealed in His Word.
Yes, many will deny this.
Many who profess faith in the Lord will deny the truth of His Word.
They listen to the voice of “the expert”.
They listen to the voice of “science”.
They listen to the voice of “the professor”.
They do not give heed to the Word.
They do not seek the Spirit.
They speak “what they think”…
I remember years ago...a young person who wanted to know some things about “end times”...he had his opinion...I asked if he had ever read the book of Daniel. He answered “no”. I told him that we could not discuss the things he desired...his was only opinion...what he had been told...what he thought. He did not know the Word.
Many who profess faith are deceived by the ways of the world. We see it especially in the political realm. They will think highly of themselves because they care for the welfare of those in need...all the while not meeting the need themselves. They simply stealing from one person to give to another at no expense to themselves. Then, they feel good.
The same reject that God created the earth.
At best they will want to say that the Lord “created” through evolution.
They are deceived.
They hide behind “science”, not knowing what true science is.
They will blithely ignore the “elephant in the room” issue of abortion.
How can we terminate that which is fearfully and wonderfully made?
How can we support political organizations and causes who readily kill, and still claim citizenship within the Kingdom?
Here is the challenge today.
Submit to the Lord.
Seek Him.
Read His Word.
Seek not to “explain it away.”
Ask Him to reveal truth.
If you are truly saved, He will bring forth revelation, illumination and enlightenment that will continue to transform.
If you are not saved, He will draw you unto salvation.
My point of rejoicing in that which is fearfully and wonderfully made?
Those of y’all local...we will begin a new Bible study next week… 1 Samuel. Email me for details.
Blessings!!