Those of you who are United States Citizens, remember to get out and vote! Your Country depends on your vote! And remember to vote for the person who stands with the side of God! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Faye Hanshew Publisher Editor
Dr. Bill Hanshew Co-Publisher Co-Editor
ARTICLES TEEN WARIORS Finding Peace in Uncertain Times Stuart E. Smith How to Find Peace – Part 1 The Girl Next Door How to Maintain Your Peace Dr. Bill Hanshew The Voice of Peace Rev. Melissa Smith-Shepherd Led by His Peace Dr. Dan L. Corse How to Fight the Good Fight and Stay in Peace Dave Kachele Living in Peace in a Tumultuous World Genice Fulton Do You Love Me? Dr. Glen Hartline The Perfect Peace of God Author/Speaker Larry Thompson Manifesting the Peace of God Rev Hiram Gomez What is the Peace of God and How Can I Experience it? Rev. Leon Gosiewski The Gift of Peace Matthew Deves All His House Rejoiced in God Pastor Kumar Raju Komannapalli Peace Makers Pastor Jimmie Lewis How Stephen Could Praise God While He Was being Stoned Rev. Kathy Weddle The Fire of God II Evangelist Ernest Nelson K. Nanor The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost Evangelist/Teacher Rick McKnight
TEEN WARRIORS
We will be adding monthly writers and special one-time writers to our Teen Warrior Section. Keep Watching for exciting articles!!
FINDING PEACE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES by: Stuart E. Smith
Stuart will be writing for both the Teen and Adult
sections of Faith Unlimited! Faye Hanshew
Stuart E. Smith is a Minister, Speaker, published Author and writer." The Adventures of Luke and Lydia "c 2014 Christian radio show Host for "Teen Jam" 91.7fm 2001-2010 Presently host of "Voice of Truth" 100.1fm 560am Stuart is married to Isabelle with 26 children which includes 20 international exchange students he hosted from 19922010 from 11 different countries. Former Supervisor for the American Institute of Foreign Study 1996-2010. Included Orientation of Foreign Students in New Jersey and Washington DC. He is an insurance and sales professional as well as Entrepreneur which includes Senior Director for a .com.
I remember so clearly those times when as a child during stormy nights the shadows of tree limbs would blow back and forth outside my window. It seemed some mighty clawed creature was lurking there awaiting for the right moment to devour me. On more than one occasion I would find my way to Mom and Dad’s room and only then find my comfort. Comfort and Peace came with that knowledge that no matter what was outside my parents would make certain that I would be okay. As a Dad now I also remember those stormy nights when my own children would find their way to my bedroom and sleep with me and their Mother during the storms. Who do I go too when peace is hard to find? I go to my Heavenly Father. How does that differ from that child seeking a parent’s reassurance? Well, truth is that it isn’t that much different. However I would like to go deeper into this topic rather than simply say, run to God. I want to share with you P.E.A.C.E.
P – Purpose The first thing I want to share is that peace comes when you realize you were born with purpose. You and I each are individuals who are like no other human being on this planet. We each have certain unique talents or abilities that we were born with to contribute to mankind. Knowing that you are not some chaotic mistake that somehow evolved but a creation hand made by the Almighty God empowers you to know your purpose and to know real peace.
E – Empathy Empathy is the knowledge that we are all in this world together. Whatever you are facing today someone else has faced it or is facing it right now somewhere on this planet this very moment. During your hard times draw closer to the Heavenly Father and learn a lesson that will serve you well. That lesson will also allow you to teach others the dependability of God who will never fail us in life or in death. We can understand those around us because they also face obstacles to peace and those common traps of the enemy set before us all.
A – Aware Awareness of our place in the Universe and the entanglements that may pull us away from peace is extremely important. I do not pretend that at any moment your emotions will not cause you to panic or feel absolutely lost. It is like the husband driving in the wrong direction and the wife says, “Baby I think you missed your turn?’ He answers ‘No, I think we can go this way.” In the end he turns the car around humbly knowing that it was his mistake that cost them time away from the destination. Jesus says ‘I am the way, the truth and the life and no man can come to the Father except by me.’ If we are aware that we have moved away from God’s will and turn back toward His plan, peace will come like a flood to a dry and thirsty land.
C – Christ I know, Jesus Christ should always be first right? However, for this illustration let us focus on Him now. Peace comes from ‘The Prince of Peace’. The enemy we talked about earlier, satan is like a roaring lion roaming to and fro. Can you imagine being in the jungle at night and just lying down when suddenly you hear the roar of a lion? Fear would surely come quickly because you heard it but could not see it. Knowing we have an enemy and then realizing Christ is the hunter that has already trapped that lion by His mighty power and authority then peace shall surely come. “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings.
E- Eternity If you have accepted Christ as your Savior then as far as your future goes it has been settled. You will live forever because eternal life is your reward. In light of eternity everything that happens here on Earth is just part of your journey toward absolute victory. No matter what pain or trails may come your way they are all temporary. That’s right, just a
small part of your life spent in this fallen world versus eternity. We are to live here now as champions of our Lord and Savior as ambassadors of His kingdom. If we know that God who has created the sun, moon and the stars along with every living creature has adopted us as His children by the way of the cross what peace can be ours? ‘I once was lost, but now I’m found I was blind but now I see.” Peace can start for the believer now, because we have everlasting life. Finally, these are just some of the things that you can do to hold on to your peace even in the middle of trouble in this world. First, always call on the Lord and know that He hears your every prayer. Then at times we must call on fellow Christians to help in that moment of trial. You do not have to pretend that everything is alright if you are hurting inside. Reach up, reach out and reach in. That’s right, during your time of prayer or fellowship read God’s Holy word and reflect on His promises. Peace is yours through your relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My prayer is that you feel His presence in your storms and may your example speak clearly to the world, Jesus is still the answer. Amen
Stuart with several Thai Students that he chaperoned to their Embassy, where they had lunch with their Ambassador to the USA.
by: The Girl Next Door
Hello my friends! I am super sorry I could not write an article last month. I had a very busy schedule and just could not find the time to write! I am back now though! I am still busy, but I have found some time to write.
So after receiving options for some article ideas,
I
thought
that
as
a
teenager
sometimes it can be hard to find peace at all. In order to find peace, you must first find inner peace. And sometimes finding inner peace can be just as difficult as finding peace overall.
Many times, we forget that God is our strong shoulder to lean on. In the Bible it talks about finding inner peace.
John 16:33” I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The Bible literally says that God is our shoulder and he has the world in his hand. We should always take peace in our hearts rather than accept things. We should feel at peace with all things.
2 Thessalonians 3:16” Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
This verse is saying that the Lord will give us peace at all times and in every way. The only thing that would be holding you back from having inner peace would be you.
To fully have inner peace, you have to be accepting of the peace God has to offer. Without the acceptance of the peace God has to offer, you might struggle with finding peace at all. God has the key to everything and to find the answer to struggles this world gives you is to pray to Him and to read his word and live by it.
I hope this article helped! Part 2 will be in next month’s issue and it will be on finding overall peace. If you have any questions, testimonies, prayer
requests,
or
anything,
please
feel
free
to
me
at
faye.faithunlimited@gmail.com and please put “The Girl Next Door” in the subject line so I can get it! I hope you have had a fantastic past couple months and I hope October brings you a lot of joy and a lot of blessings into your lives!
~The Girl Next Door~
1 Peter 5:7 says, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” We know that the word “care” or “cares” also encompasses some other words such as, worry or worrying, concerns, stress, anxiety, which are all things in life that tempt us to get into fear. As a matter of fact, all of the above words have an origin, which is fear. But, have you ever considered doing some maintenance on your peace? In other words, making sure you keep a proper perspective of what Jesus has already given you? John 14:27 says, “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.” These are words that Jesus Himself spoke to us. Therefore, we must understand that “His peace” has already been given to us. That is why it would be impossible for you to have no peace. So to maintain your peace would simply mean to keep your mindset in its proper perspective. This is the reason for this subject of “Peace Maintenance” which would be similar to doing some regularly scheduled maintenance on your car, tractor or other piece of equipment. The list of things above can stem from that one word which his “care” and can have a tendency to mess with your peace. Now if you take
on the cares of life, that does not mean that the peace of Jesus has changed at all. It just means that your perspective or view of “His peace” has temporarily been hidden from your view. As a believer, you need to see the “power of transference” working between Jesus and you. That means, when you “cast your care, stress, worry or anxiety” over on Jesus, you are maintain your “peace of mind” and He takes your stress and throws it away. It is a matter of “emotional security” when we learn to place our trust in what He has done for us. However, any security we have must be in everything that Jesus did for us in His finished work. Now, some translations literally say that we are to “fling the whole of our care” over on Him. So the “Good News” is that when you fling or throw the sum total of your entire over on Jesus once and for all, you do not need to ever pick it up again. A person can actually leave their cares, worries, concerns and fears with Jesus, so that your trust level is in His ability to take care of you and your inability to think you can take care of yourself. Now, that is exactly how you maintain your peace, or rather His peace in you. Once you release any particular stress or anxiety to Jesus, He will take it from you and dispose of it. Your emotional load will
lighten as you give the stress of your problem to Him. Let’s remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28:30, where He said, “28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, He gave you the opportunity to “yoke” up with Him by faith. This is His invitation for people to hook up with Him and walk as He walk. Why? Because His “{easy} yoke … and His {light} burden” is able to carry the load that you are not able to bear. And in the Spirit, Jesus already has taken everything upon Him. He is not stressed, even when you are.
THE VOICE OF PEACE
by: Rev. Melissa Smith-Shepherd
God’s voice of peace is available to help you navigate through this life with the help and counsel of God himself. God has made a way for us to receive His help, guidance and peace through His Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be that source of wisdom and peace until He returns to the Earth. This gift of the Holy Spirit is available to every believer and the only requirement is to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus by your faith and confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Holy Son of God. As believers in Jesus Christ, God promised to lead and guide us into all truth and to His Will by His Spirit. His ultimate goal is to lead us into wisdom, love, peace, prosperity, healing, safety, understanding, grace and righteousness. He leads us with the still small voice, that Holy Unction of His heart to our own. Scripture tells us that those who are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. Romans 8:14 Hearing the voice of God is evidence that you are His child, it is part of your inheritance and relationship with God. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be with us continually until we either meet Him in Heaven or meet Him in the sky upon His return to Earth.
As the Holy Spirit leads you, He will always lead you to peace. Peace to do, or not to do, a particular thing. Peace, in Hebrew is Shalom, meaning nothing missing and nothing broken, lacking no good thing. Peace is the exact opposite of turmoil, chaos, strife, worry, fear, infirmity and grief. When we pray and ask God to lead us in a decision or trial, we are honoring His leadership and counsel. God’s answers will always lead us to peace in every area of life. Sometimes when you pray about something or a decision, you may be about to make the wrong choice, it is at that moment you will not have peace in your spirit about continuing with your plans. God leads us in this way also, to protect us from making wrong decisions. When He imparts His peace to us, we can know that we are in His plan. It is so vital to come before Him to seek His wisdom and counsel for decisions, even those that may at first glance appear to be insignificant decisions. Many believers have testimonies about how they prayed and God led them a different way than they had planned and followed that peace and they were spared failure, heartache and destruction. It is such a great gift to have the voice of peace
from God’s own Holy Spirit guiding us in life. Part of the process of hearing the voice of peace is to be always praying, about everything. The Spirit of God is the voice of God and the voice of peace. I will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Me. Isaiah 26:3 We are encouraged to rely upon God in making decisions. In the first Covenant, the Prophets and Priests very lives depended on hearing the voice of God and obeying Him exactly as He commanded. When they strayed from God’s direction, they ran into calamity, hardship, suffering and death. God is aware of every detail and every moment we are about to face including hidden dangers and plans of the enemy and He can lead us to victory in every circumstance. He desires for us to accomplish His Will here in the Earth, and wants to help us even more than we want Him to help us! He
wants our success and victory over all the works of the enemy in every arena of life. Our life in Christ is meant to be as an overcomer, a victor, for our joy to be full, to have
life and life more abundantly. It is the Holy Spirit and His voice of peace that brings us to that place of shalom, wholeness, nothing missing, nothing broken, lacking no
good thing. Ask the Lord Jesus to open your ears to hear His voice of peace, to guide you with that voice in every detail of life. If you listen and obey God, you will never fail.
by: Dr. Dan L. Corse
Colossians 3:15 (AMP) – And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as an umpire continually) in your hearts, [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds… Years ago, I flew to Seattle, Washington so I could bring our young granddaughter, Riley, back to Missouri for a vacation. Our return flight did not leave for a couple of days, so I decided that she and I would visit Mount Rainier National Park on an off day. The car I was driving had a GPS system, so I set it for the park and prepared to follow its directions. Not far into the drive, I realized that the GPS system was giving inaccurate directions, as it was telling us to go in the wrong direction. So, I turned the system off, proceeding to the park the old fashioned way. I followed the road signs. Not much later, we arrived at the park and enjoyed a day of hiking and sightseeing in the park. In our walks with Christ, as was true for Riley and me on our trip to Mount Rainier, knowing the right direction is of utmost importance. Thankfully, God has provided us many ways to know the right direction. Most importantly, He has given us His word “for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16, NKJ). He has given us His Spirit to lead us (Rom. 8:14). He instructs us that wise counsel is valuable, as “where there is no
counsel, the people fall” (Prov. 11:14, NKJ). He also speaks to us by dreams, visions, and gifts of the Spirit, like prophecy, tongues and interpretation, the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge (Acts 2:17, 1 Cor. 12:4-11) However, no matter what method He uses to guide us, we must never choose directions that are contrary to His word or reject allowing His peace to rule in our hearts and minds related to the course we are considering. Colossians 3:15 encourages us to let His peace rule in our hearts, which speaks of allowing His peace (an absence of inner turmoil or uneasiness) to direct us. How so? Let’s say, in relation to the future direction of our lives, we are considering a career change, a dream or vision we had, getting married, moving to another state, further education, or a word we received via what we believe to be the Holy Spirit. As we pray about the choice we are considering, we recognize that inside (in our hearts and minds) there is an uneasiness or absence of peace about the choice we are considering. What do we do? Should we ignore the absence of peace we are experiencing about the decision we are contemplating? Clearly, based upon the counsel He gives in Colossians 3:15, we should not. We should allow His peace to direct us, to act as an umpire in our hearts and minds.
Often heard are the troubling stories of when we ignored the lack of peace (in our hearts and minds) we had related to a direction we were considering but went ahead and chose that course anyway. Ministerial missteps, career foibles, heartbreaks in relationships, and financial setbacks are but some of the undesired consequences that have resulted from our doing so. However, most importantly, related to our unwise choices, is the fact that such choices, rather than placing us in the will of God, remove us from it. Out of the will of God, it is not unusual to hear us moaning and complaining, as if it was God who was at fault for the predicaments we find ourselves in, when the truth is He was trying to direct us in what we should do by His peace. Knowing, as Romans 12:2 informs us, that God’s will is good, meaning it is beneficial for His kingdom, ourselves, and others, we are unwise to make choices that remove us from it. Doing so, we do not experience, as He would have us to, the blessedness of partaking of the
food Jesus spoke of which was to do the will of the Father (John 4:32-34). Doing so, we do not experience, as He would have us to, the blessedness of doing the good works He created us to do. (Eph. 2:10) Recognizing the undesirable mistakes, we have made by not allowing God’s peace to direct us that is no reason to allow
condemnation to overtake us. Condemnation speaks to us in ways that separate us from God, tell us how worthless we are, how we will never be of any benefit to the kingdom of God, and, in general, seeks to rob us of our God-given destinies. Neither do we want to continue to make decisions without taking into consideration the peace of God, which He has
given us knowing His will. Regarding our pasts, let us heed the words of Philippians 3:1314 (NKJ), “forgetting those things which are behind,” may we “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Regarding regrets, let us remember the words of Katherine Mansfield, “Regret if an appalling waste of energy; you can’t build on it; it’s only good for wallowing in.”
How to Fight the Good Fight and Stay in Peace by: Dave Kachele Win and Grow Ministries
Presently, I'm the founder and CEO of a new come along side ministry in the area of evangelism and discipleship called Win and Grow. Please check out the site at winandrow.com. I have written a 50-Day devotional called, THE RELUCTANT EVANGELIST: Embrace Your Gifts and Fulfill God’s Purpose. It is designed to inspire, encourage, and equip ALL believers to share the Gospel with confidence and peace when God gives opportunity. In the past, I taught and was a principal in Christian schools from 1979-2009. I taught 6th grade at Trinity Christian Schools from 1979-1990 in Las Vegas, was principal at Mountain View Christian School from 1990-1993 in Vegas, was principal at Neighborhood Christian School in Bellevue, WA from 19932001, was principal at Emporia Christian School in Emporia, KS from 20012003, and taught 3rd-6th grades at Light and Life Christian School in Azusa, CA from 2003-2009. I've sold Fuller Brush (70's and 80's) and World Book Encyclopedia (80's). I've been married to Dona since 8/2/75. We have four kids (Jeffrey, Paula, Richard, and Matthew) and eight grandchildren (Brianna, Weston, Aiden, Liam, Conner, Levi, Evangeline (Evey), and Holden. We presently live in Azusa, CA. We love to hear from former students, colleagues, co-workers, etc.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 I can see young Pastor Timothy weeping as he reads these words from his dear mentor and friend, Paul the Apostle. He’s receiving the baton, ready to run the next lap in the race. And what a fight he was facing! Timothy faced enemies from the pagan world of Ephesus, where he pastored the church, and from false teachers. Ephesus was home to the goddess, Artemis who the Romans later identified as their goddess, Diana. In 250 B.C., Alexander the Great rebuilt the temple for Artemis, or Diana, and it became one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city reached the pinnacle of its greatness while under Roman control in the first and second centuries of the Christian era and was the fourth largest city in the world with an estimated population of 250,000. It was the Roman capital of the province of Asia, and had amazing wealth. Paul warned Timothy that there would be terrible times when people loved only themselves and money. The people of the city were arrogant, abusive, unforgiving, ungrateful, and
slanderous, without selfcontrol, brutal, treacherous, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. (2nd Timothy 3:1-5) What an atmosphere in which to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ! But the pagan world of Ephesus was not the only challenge Timothy faced. Paul encouraged his young disciple to preach the truth, as false teachers had infiltrated the church with false doctrines. It is in this second letter that Paul told Timothy, “All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2nd Timothy 3:16) Along with all these challenges, Timothy was evidently timid. Paul begins this letter reminding the young pastor of his calling and gifting, and telling him that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of selfdiscipline.” (2nd Timothy 1:7) Another translation uses the phase, “of a sound mind,” a mind at peace.
We face many of the same challenges that the early Christians faced. We too are surrounded by a pagan, idolworshiping world. Our churches are constantly attacked with false doctrine like cheap grace without repentance. How can we possibly maintain peace in this turbulent ocean of discord? How do we fight the good fight, as Paul did and stay in peace? How did Timothy do it? I could offer a long complicated answer, but scripture allows me to spare you. The solution is found in a part of this second letter to Timothy that we Bible readers usually just quickly pass over. We can’t wait to get to the good stuff, the meat of Paul’s teaching, so we just casually whisk by chapter one, verses one and two. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear son (could say daughter): GRACE,
MERCY, and PEACE from God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” Pause for a few seconds and just think about these words. … You are a son or a daughter of God! You are in His will, and you are living a new life in Jesus! You are abiding in His promises! We are constant recipients of God’s grace, mercy, and peace. And, yes, it is beyond understanding! And yes, it’s a peace that the world cannot take away. Paul says it best in his letter to the church in Ephesus, written six to eight years before this second letter to Timothy: “For He Himself is our peace …” (Ephesians 2:14). Are you not a constant receiver of God’s grace and mercy? Of course you are! You are a perpetual recipient
of His peace too! Believe the facts of Scripture, not your feelings. Our emotions can deceive us, but 2 + 2 is always 4. How do we fight the good fight and stay at peace? We simply remind ourselves of the facts! Jesus IS ALWAYS our peace! Go ahead, take the baton! Win and Grow a disciple! You’re going to want to pass the baton on! A Postscript: Today, as I was coming away from a very precious time alone with the Lord, I got word that two precious saints passed away this morning. One has been a dear friend and mentor since we moved to Southern California in 2003. The other is my wife’s great aunt, who was a prayer warrior for as long as Dona
can remember and before that.” Lord, please tell Hank and Aunt Marge that we humbly receive the baton. Thank You Jesus for trusting us with it.”
Living in Peace in a Tumultuous World
by: Genice Fulton
"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT) It doesn’t take much to see the turmoil in the world around us. (John 16:33) I remember when I was younger and my daddy and I had bible studies together. (Proverbs 7:2-4) He explained to me things that were to come. During those studies I never could’ve imagined the things he was telling me. I believed what he was teaching me because I trusted him; however, I had a difficult time actually piecing together some of the atrocities he was trying to explain. The things he was telling me seemed so far out that I just couldn’t grasp it as reality. Never in my wildest dreams could I ever have concocted things against God’s Word such as: The Gender Unicorn Terrorist Attacks Anti-Patriotism
Legalized Abortion After School Satan Clubs I never dreamed, “See You at the Pole” would become controversial. It certainly seems that our “back in the day” life seemed simpler and seemed to make a whole lot more sense. And it certainly seems there is an ongoing battle to maintain peace. (Ephesians 4:3) Jesus never changes. (Hebrews 13:8) And we are to imitate Him. (Ephesians 5:1) So how do we “walk out” living this precious gift of peace? (Galatians 5:1618) We must stay attached to The Vine by continually acknowledging His presence in our lives and walking in obedience to His Word. (John 15:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Hebrews 12:2) This takes a conscious effort, a refusal to be distracted, and faith in God’s unfailing Word!
(Numbers 23:19, Hebrews 12:2) Hard? Yes. Impossible? No. (Luke 1:37) Faith in God’s Word for the gift of peace is the same as faith in His Word for eternal life. (John 14:27, Romans 12:3) I know it can be hard. It certainly doesn’t come easily or naturally. (John 10:10) It is a battle; however, it is a battle that has already been won! Thank You Jesus! (John 16:33) Because I would’ve fainted had I not believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13-14)
DO YOU LOVE ME?
by: Dr. Glen Hartline
“I lived in constant turmoil,” she said, “I even questioned my salvation.” I sat at a small round oak stained wooden table that had been tucked into a cramped nook by a bay window, listening as Ariel recounted her journey from living in constant anxiety to a life of total peace. Sitting there in Ariel’s kitchen listening to her testimony, the images of the faces of fellow Christians I had met formed in my mind. People who, like the Ariel of years past, lived in a state of emotional turmoil, unsure of what life would bring, unsure of God’s love and His satisfaction with them. Reviewing her life, Ariel spoke at length about how she had viewed God. Multiple times she spoke of her love for God and how the enemy used that love to cause her to be introspective; focusing her attention on every part of her life that she felt fell short of God’s expectations. Believing that God would only accept her if she did the right things and lived her life to the exalted level she was sure God demanded, her shortcoming caused her to spiral into a self-loathing and depressed state of mind. It was during this time that her love for wine came to the surface. More than just liking an occasional drink, she was
addicted. It was the only thing that seemed to calm the emotions and give her some semblance of peace, even so, she wanted to be free. “If I really loved God I wouldn’t keep drinking,” she remembered thinking daily. “How could God ever accept me if I can’t even give up wine for Him?” Her anxiety continued to overwhelm, getting to the point she wasn’t even able to get a good night’s sleep. “It was really bad” she exclaimed, “until that day!” Just as I was about to question her about “that day” I noticed a huge smile from ear to ear cross her face and her eyes lit up as she began her explanation. “I remember like it was yesterday” she cheerfully continued. “I was sitting on the edge of my bed, head hung low, wallowing in self-pity when I heard His voice.” “Whose voice” I interrupted. “God’s voice of course! I was sitting there when I heard Him clearly speak to me. He told me that He loved me and was pleased with me. He continued saying that whether I ever took another drink or not did not change His love for me!” You could see her eyes well up with
tears of joy and love as the emotions from that day overtook her. “It was that day I finally understood. It was that day I discovered that His love is unconditional and not dependent on my actions! It had nothing to do with what I did, He loved me no matter what! It was at that moment I felt His indescribable peace pour over me.” She then continued on to tell how from that night on she has had wonderful rest when she sleeps, and from that day she has been free from her addiction to wine. As children of God, we are called to live lives dominated by peace. We are not to allow fear and anxiety to have any voice in our life. Even though to many, the thought of living free of worry or fear, seems like a myth; a place like Shangri-La, a place that is eternally sought after but never found. Living in peace is not an unattainable myth, it is how we are empowered to live.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-8) So how do we enter into this life of peace, free of anxiety and fear? Well, without trying to be over simplistic, the answer is found in knowing God and understanding His love for you. Years ago I was on a mission trip traveling to China, Thailand, and Cambodia. One day during the Cambodian part of the trip we had some free time so my son and I went to a market with the intention of finding people to pray for. As I walked up to one young teenage girl I could see what looked like fire inside her and by the look on her face could tell she was in pain.
Approaching her Holy Spirit told me she was being tormented in her dreams. I relayed through an interpreter what I had been told, and the young girl confirmed it to be true. She said that just a few nights before a red dragon came to her in her dreams and cursed her. Ever since that night her body felt like she had a fever and was affected with agonizing pain in her abdomen. As the interpreter finished explaining to me what had been said, a huge smile came across my face. I knew what was about to happen. I turned to the girl and said, “I have good news, Jesus is Lord and that red dragon is not. Sickness must leave now!” In an instant her countenance changed as the fever and pain left her body. As I turned to walk away Holy Spirit said, “Ask her why I healed her.” I turned back to the girl and asked if she knew why Jesus healed her. As she shook her head in the negative declaring she did not know, Holy Spirit spoke again. “Tell her it’s because I
love her too much to leave her in that condition!” Like Ariel and the young Cambodian girl, God’s love for you is unconditional. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, said, or how you feel. He loves you and that will never change. It is that unconditional love that brings His peace, the assurance that your Heavenly Father loves you too much to leave you sick, bound, or lacking. In Genesis we read that before God created Adam He created everything else. He did this so that the only thing Adam needed to do once created was enter into the Sabbath rest with His Father, knowing everything he could possibly want or need was already provided for. Likewise, your Heavenly Father has already provided everything you could possibly want or need. Knowing He will not withhold any of it from you gives you the peace and assurance to live free of anxiety and fear.
THE PERFECT PEACE OF GOD
Author/Speaker Larry Thompson
Jesus wears many hats. We know Him as Savior and Lord, but He is also known as the Alpha and the Omega, and Lord of Glory. Many beautiful posters list all of the names and titles of Jesus. On a more particular note that I find of interest is the fact that though all the names of Jesus are supposedly listed, not one reference states Him to be the Lord of Glory (until more recent years). This omission does not surprise me when the enemy has done everything possible in his power to keep anyone from knowing about this very important revelation—the gospel of the glory. One poster I recall in particular which listed many of names and titles that Jesus has been given, I noted the compiler had included “Prince of Peace.” I love this title! The peace that He brings restored the breach between heaven and earth. We are reconciled in relationship back with the Father. Peace now resides between the Father and all those who call upon the name of Jesus. Jesus became our peace offering forever. The New Covenant is a peace covenant, filled with thanksgiving to the Father. “...How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15; NKJV). To understand that
deep rich meaning of peace, it is important to discover its roots. The word shalom is the root word for all that we know concerning the biblical definition of “peace.” Shalom encompasses all of these words: “completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.” All of these qualities are found in Christ; He is our peace offering. In the Old Covenant, it is truly very interesting to discover yet another aspect of how Jesus reveals and establishes the New Covenant. I am referring specifically to a passage regarding the peace offering, which is found in the book of Leviticus. Jesus may very well have expounded on this passage when He was walking with those two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Several verses with many details give instructions concerning the peace offering in Leviticus 7:11-21. I will simply highlight some significant details that I believe the Holy Spirit desires to make known to every believer. Firstly, unusual detail is devoted to addressing the two different kinds of bread being used—one without yeast
and one with yeast. In nearly every instance of yeast’s being mentioned in the Bible, the word is nearly always associated with the idea of being separate from sin, the world, and the enemy. However, the word yeast is used twice in the Old Covenant and twice in the New Covenant in a positive aspect. The very first mention of the word yeast’s being used in a positive aspect appears in Leviticus 7, “This peace offering of thanksgiving must also be accompanied by loaves of bread made with yeast” (Leviticus 7:13 NLT). This passage mentions one of the two kinds of loaves of bread used in the peace offering—the loaf made with yeast. The image and insight that I believe the Holy Spirit wants to convey to every believer is our coming to Christ to receive Him as our Peace Offering. We come as we are, but by faith, we receive what Christ has given. He separates
us from the world— the bread without yeast. He has also prepared our lives to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit—the bread made with yeast. This foundation will help the believer to fully understand the other verses that I will expound upon more thoroughly in this chapter. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the
cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:14-18 NKJV). Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life. He offered up Himself as our sacrifice, a substitutionary death, but He has offered up His life that we might live too. Chapter four in the second book of Corinthians expresses this sacrifice in this way: “Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal
flesh” (II Corinthians 4:10, 11 NKJV). The death of Christ in us is putting to death all that is of the old nature. That completion of this work—the death of Christ at work in us—separates us completely from the world. The image of the world is removed completely, in thought, in word, in deed and action. That warning Jesus gave His disciples, “...Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1 NLT), is a warning about the yeast of the Pharisees—not a warning about the yeast itself. His death satisfies the Father’s heart, and we are qualified by the Father to have direct access to all that is now in the kingdom of light. Excerpt from the book, "The Gospel of the Glory" by Larry Thompson
Manifesting The Peace of God
by: Rev. Hiram Gomez
It is no secret that we are living in a time where there is much turmoil and chaos in our world. Yet, with all the government and law enforcement we have the world is not a better place. Violence, terrorism, and crime are on the rise and we are less safe today than we were in times past. The world simply has no solution as to what they should do about it. The Bible, however, has plenty to say about the solution. It’s called peace. When most people think of “peace”, they envision tranquility, serenity, and quietude. But that’s the world’s idea of peace. Jesus said in John chapter fourteen: PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU: NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27 I want to point out two things in this verse. First of all, Jesus said “…my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth…” The peace that Jesus offered was different from the peace the world has to offer. In what way? That’s a two-fold answer. The peace that the world has to offer is #1) natural, and #2) temporal. The peace that Jesus offered is #1) supernatural, and #2) eternal. That means unlike the peace that the world has to
offer, the peace that Jesus offered us (which is the peace of God) operates from a heavenly dimension. It never ends, and it can’t be bound by earthly or demonic circumstances. Second of all, Jesus said in verse 14 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I GIVE unto you…” Jesus gave us this peace. How did He do that? Let’s look at verses 16 and 17 of the same chapter. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall GIVE YOU another COMFORTER, that he may ABIDE WITH YOU FOR EVER; 17 Even THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL BE IN YOU. - John 14:16-17 The Comforter, who is the Spirit of Truth, or the Holy Spirit, was given to us to abide with us forever. He dwells with us and is in us. This is the same Holy Spirit that the Bible speaks of in Romans 5:5 who has flooded our hearts with the love of God. That love in our hearts has spilled over into the fruit of the recreated spirit of man, better known in Galatians 5:22-23 as the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit is love. The following attributes are expressions of that love: joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Notice that “peace” is a manifestation of the love of God. It is already in our spirits. Therefore, we have the supernatural ability and power to release that peace into our lives and the world around us. Let’s look at some very familiar examples in the gospels where Jesus manifested that peace in the earth. STORMS And he arose, and REBUKED THE WIND, AND SAID UNTO THE SEA, PEACE, BE STILL. And the wind CEASED, and there was a GREAT CALM. - Mark 4:39 TRIBULATION These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have PEACE. IN THE WORLD ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. - John 16:33 FEAR OF PERSECUTION Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where THE DISCIPLES WERE ASSEMBLED FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, PEACE BE UNTO YOU. - John 20:19
Jesus used peace as a weapon. Now to the religious mind that sounds like an oxymoron. How can peace be a weapon? However, in the above references Jesus did exactly that. He used peace to rebuke the wind and calm a raging sea (storms). He told us that even in the midst of tribulation in the world we could be of good cheer, because His peace has overcome the world. Now, that peace is in us, so guess what? Uh huh. We too have the power to overcome the spirit of tribulation. Also notice, that even though the Apostle Paul prophesied we who live godly in Christ would suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), we don’t have to be in fear of it. Glory to God! Finally, let’s come to the punchline of this message. We know that the peace of God can overcome the world. We know that Jesus used peace as a weapon in His earthly life and ministry. So how does this relate to us? Jesus gave us that same peace. He didn’t give it to us so that we could hold on to it and flash peace signs at everybody like a bunch of flower children from the 60’s, but to declare it in the earth as ambassadors of the kingdom of God! In Luke 2:8-14, we see the angel of the Lord visiting some country shepherds that were watching their flock by night, and pronouncing to them the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
and then a heavenly host of angels proclaiming to them in verse 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.” Peace was meant to be proclaimed! When we do that there will be good will toward mankind! The problem has been that the Church has been sitting idly by playing tiddly winks and hopscotch, instead of exercising our dominion in the earth by declaring the peace of God against the spiritual wickedness in high places that influence violence, terrorism, and crime in our world. We watch the news and allow the media to fill our hearts with fear, while we sit idly by letting Satan wreak havoc in the earth. Jesus gave us His peace so that we could manifest it in the earth! I want to close with two Scriptures that deal with our responsibility in this. Notice: 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be WORTHY, LET YOUR PEACE COME UPON IT: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE YOU, NOR HEAR YOUR WORDS, when ye depart out of that house or city, SHAKE OFF THE DUST OF YOUR FEET. - Matthew 10:12-14
When we go and preach the gospel and come to a house to proclaim the peace of God over it, how do we determine if the house is “worthy”? Notice it says in verse 14 “And WHOSOEVER SHALL NOT RECEIVE YOU, NOR HEAR YOUR WORDS… SHAKE OFF THE DUST OF YOUR FEET.” If they are worthy they will receive you and hear your words, otherwise they are rejecting the gospel of peace that you bring! Say amen to that! 13 Therefore take up THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD that you may be ABLE TO RESIST IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to stand. 14 STAND THEREFORE, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 having your feet fitted with THE READINESS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE… - Ephesians 6:13-15, Modern English Version The King James Version of verse 13 begins by saying “PUT ON the whole armor of God…” Let me ask you something? How do you put on something that you can’t see? I’ll tell you how - by faith! Although these weapons of our warfare are invisible to the natural eye, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that “…they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds…” Make
no mistake about it, these weapons are very real and very powerful when utilized. And verse 15 says that we need to be ready to minister with the gospel of peace! It is a supernatural weapon designed to protect us, but at the same time it is the good news of glad tidings to mankind, glory be to God! In closing, I want to remind you of what Jesus said in John
16:33. He said “…IN THE WORLD ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” It’s important to note that 1 John 5:4 says “For whatsoever is born of God OVERCOMETH THE WORLD: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even OUR FAITH.” We know that Jesus overcame the spirit of this world with the peace of God. He said we have
this peace in us because He gave it to us. If we receive Jesus’ words by faith, we too, will overcome the spirit of the world! Glory to God, I don’t know about you, but I done preached myself happy! So let’s make a quality decision today that we are going to proclaim the peace of God everywhere we go, and transform our culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
‘Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it’ (Psalm 34: 14) The word peace is commonly used in several different ways. These range from the peace of being in a state of well-being and prosperity, peace-time, and the total absence of war, holding our peace and keeping silent, through to spiritual peace, ‘having been justified by faith, we have peace with God’ (Romans 5: 1). For most of us, when we think about what peace means, it probably leads us to think about those precious times of calmness, and harmony in our lives, because peace is about freedom from arguments, fighting, disagreement, hassle and threat of hostilities. It is a highly valued human condition of mind and state of affairs, which only comes in those valued times where conflict and disharmony are absent. When we study the Bible to see what it says about peace, we find it gives us a different perspective on what peace is, and this is plainly shown by Jesus in His clear and
important statement about God’s and therefore, His peace. He says, it is not the peace that the world gives and nor can it give (see John 14: 27). It is the Messiah’s peace. In other words, what Jesus is saying is that, the peace of God, and that of our precious Lord Jesus is a Divinecentred peace that is very different from the peace we experience in everyday life, and it far outstrips any peace we can find or experience in the world. In fact, Isaiah tells us that God’s peace is a perfect peace (see Isaiah 26: 3), and Psalm 119: 165 says, ‘Great [or abounding] peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble’. What I am trying to say is that, peace in the world is reliant on the total absence of conflict, and harmony. But the peace of God is very different, it is not reliant on the absolute absence of hostile circumstances or disharmonious surroundings. In fact, it thrives in these difficult situations because it is a perfect and abounding peace that comes straight from the heart of God.
Ah but, you may say, doesn’t the Bible tell us that Christian believers will go through trials, tribulations, temptations and persecutions? So where is the peace in that? Yes, it is true; all sorts of difficulties and hostilities face us as true believers. The Christian walk is certainly not an easy path or ride; in fact, it is often very painful and harsh and so we will experience the effect of it. Indeed, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul says that ‘all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted’ (2 Timothy 3: 12). When we look closely at the Greek word for persecuted, it is dioko meaning to cause trouble, harass, be hostile toward and mistreat. That doesn’t sound like a situation where peace can exist. But let’s stop for a
moment and look closely at some of the many examples of what Scripture actually says about times of trials, persecution and tribulations: · Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. · James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, · 1 Peter 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials Under normal circumstances, there is little or no peace when we are suddenly faced with conflict, disharmony and hostility, and yet, the Bible speaks about these difficult and trying periods as a time of undivided connection with God through prayer, rejoicing in our hope; a time for patience in tribulation and counting as all joy those times when we meet trials (see also Philippians 4: 4 – 7). What we are discovering is that times of trial are opportunities to draw closer to God, and James tells us why, ‘for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing’ (James 1: 3, 4). This is why Paul and Silas, having been beaten and imprisoned for speaking and acting for the Lord, ’were praying and singing hymns to God’, and as a result, God made His glorious presence felt (see Acts 16: 25, 26). You see, for the Christian believer, when the world is hanging its head low under the cruel pressure and onslaught of disharmony and trials, the peace and innercontentment that comes with confidently knowing who our Heavenly father is, and who we are in Christ outweighs the circumstances facing us. What this means is that the Christian believer has peace in times of peace, and Divine inner-peace in times of conflict and disharmony. It’s a win, win situation; but how? Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14: 27). Jesus is saying that there is a way to live in Divine peace. It requires us to have a right relationship with the Lord, a right attitude of mind, and a trust in God that is proven and strengthened when our faith is truly tested. In fact, Paul, writing to the Colossians, all
but says, we are spiritually compelled by our relational duty to the Lord not to let our hearts be troubled, that is why Paul says, ‘let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful’ (Colossians 3: 15). We have it in our loving, and faithful gift to let the Lord’s peace rule our hearts, by allowing Him the freedom to rule our hearts and dwell within us. So the question is, how can we stop our hearts from being troubled and unafraid? Let’s begin to unravel the answer to this question by fully understanding what God’s peace means. The Greek word for peace used in John 14: 27 is eirene. In this context it refers to the God-centred serenity that a person has in their life, no matter what is happening around them. This serenity comes because they are in harmony with the Lord, who is the epitome of perfect and abounding peace, and as a result, they are confidently assured of their salvation through Jesus, and therefore content with whatever their earthly existence may throw at them.
It is our yielded faithfulness, trust and loving commitment to the Lord, our rock and strength, which brings us into His perfect peace (see Isaiah 26: 2 – 4). But there is more. Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5: 22, 23) and we will experience the fullness of this peace when baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit. This total surrender causes us to live according to the Spirit, and thereby allow our minds to focus on the Spirit. This is why we read these important
words, ‘those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God’ (Romans 8: 5 – 8). Baptised in the Spirit and walking in holiness and the power of the Holy Spirit, not only pleases
God, it gives us Divine life and peace. We cannot know the peace of God if we are walking in sin and our relationship with Him is selfishly blemished and lacking. We can overcome fear if we live under the canopy of God’s love. It is all a question of our true relationship with God through Jesus. ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16: 33
THE GIFT OF PEACE
by: Matthew Deves
What is the opposite of being alone? The opposite of feeling abandoned? Your immediate reaction might be to say that it is to be with someone, with others, or having company. Do you know that there is a far greater intimacy than just hanging out with someone? Oneness is the opposite of total isolation. God designed you never to be alone, and Jesus made the way clear. Your cure for loneliness was to become one with God. Don’t want to have feelings of abandonment ever again? God’s solution to ensure that you are never alone was to give you a gift. His gift joined you to Himself permanently. His Gift was Peace. His Gift was Jesus. Even in Ephesians Paul tells them that Jesus Himself is our Peace. He said in John 14:27 of the Message Bible, “I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left--feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.” Most other translations say, “My peace I leave you…” Geographically
speaking, the peace of God is not in heaven. Jesus left His peace here on earth. To ask God at this point in history to “send” His Peace runs contrary to where Jesus clearly said it was over 2000 years ago. Was Jesus confused about the Father’s plan? Assuredly not. He wanted you to have it, so you didn’t have to feel alone. One of the definitions of the word peace means to “set at one again.” This was His prayer to His Dad when He said in chapter seventeen of John, “that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” (Amplified Bible) The relationship was the path to peace. How about instead of praying for God to give you peace every time a storm arises, you realize that your relationship with Him means that you get to use His Peace. You are joined to Peace. Peace now lives big on the inside of you! Speak peace over the situation from this reality. No wonder that Jesus told the storm to “Peace be still!” One of the definitions of the Greek
word for peace in Thayer’s dictionary reads, “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.” The tranquil state of assurance that Jesus provided was free. He said He gave it not as the world does. The world expects payment for everything. The gift of the Person of Peace provides you with security so that you are not, “afraid, troubled, agitated and disturbed, fearful, intimidated, cowardly, and unsettled” as the Amplified Bible renders Jesus words in 14:27. When you believe that you are never alone, you will have a new sense of empowerment. Paul spoke about this when He wrote to the Philippians and said that, “The peace of God which surpasses all power of comprehension, shall mount guard over your hearts and
minds in Christ Jesus.” God’s peace is not just a temporary solution to bail you out of trouble. His Peace is the constant guard over your heart and mind. The mind of Christ is filled with His peace. You have the Mind of Christ. Practice using the Peace of God today by declaring that you do have His rest, His quietness, His calmness, and His assurance.
Wuest word study notes of Ephesians 2:14 confirm that “The intensive use of the pronoun in the Greek text gives us, "For He Himself is our peace." The Greek verb eirō means "to join"; the noun eirēnē, refers to the things joined together. To make peace, therefore, means "to join together that which is separated.” You are now in a
relationship with Peace, never to have separation anxiety again! Operating in Peace, rest, quietness, and oneness is God’s idea and method. He didn’t expect Peace to come cheap, but for you, it is entirely free. The Gift of Peace. Contact me any time. matt@twoguysandabible.com
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, nor let it be fearful.
John 14:27
JESUS IS OUR PEACE
ALL HIS HOUSE REJOICED IN GOD! Acts 16:34 By: Dr. Kumar Raju Komannapalli, India
Here is a very good lesson that might be useful for our daily spiritual life, to help strengthen with the mighty and blessed revelations of the Lord here in this whole Book of Acts and especially from the Chapter 16:16–40.
voice is of a Hebrew Word called SHALOM.
There was a family living in Rome and the man of that house was the keeper of the prison (not a keeper of peace but a prison). Actually a prison is a place where there is no peace. I would really like to explain something about a miracle that has been placed in this man’s life and family through the ministry of Apostles Paul and Silas. In order to say that there should be a great danger, tragedy, weeping, death and darkness has to be placed in this house and in his life. Why? Because this man did try to attempt suicide and wanted to kill himself (v. 27). But, something happened in his life, he stopped trying to harm himself by hearing a simple Word of God. He heard a very clear and loud voice by Apostle Paul. “Do thyself no harm “that means” Don’t Kill Yourself!” He heard a Good News, and that News saved his life. This news brought the total and perfect PEACE into his life. This news and
This really means Peace, Peace and Peace. Jesus told His disciples to speak peace wherever they entered any house. We all need peace in our lives.
Shalom actually means: a. Nothing is Broken b. Nothings is Stolen c. Nothing is Missing d. Nothing Destroyed
This man got peace through a teaching, mentoring, or ministry from Jesus’ Apostles. But, how did he found Apostles in a prison? This is a good question for all of us. What was wrong with Apostles Paul and Silas that they were put in prison? The Bible speaks that there was no wrong in them, but they were led into prison. Actually they were going to the Temple of God for Prayers, (v. 16) and they saw a demonic possessed girl and delivered her on the road from that bondage of satanic powers. This caused them some problems. Is it wrong to heal or deliver somebody in Jesus name? Mat 10: 1 - 12 talks about the Lord’s authority, and that it is to be
used for healings, casting out the demons, cleansing the leper, and raising the dead, and etc. Apostles Paul and Silas spoke straight to the devil to leave the young girl’s body, and immediately the devil left her. (v. 18). But, some people attacked the apostles and made many offenses to their ministry though the devil declares about them as they are the sons of the Most High God. (v. 17). It was a great miracle that happened in her life, and this must be praised, and rejoiced by everyone. But her Master’s: a. They SAW that the hope of their gain was gone b. They CAUGHT apostle Paul and Silas c. They DREW them into the Marketplace unto the Rulers
d. They BROUGHT them unto the Magistrates e. They Accused and Reported over them f. They ROSE UP against them g. They RENT their clothes h. They Beat them or wounded them i. They CAST them into the prison j. They Charged a Jailor (the keeper of the prison) over them. k. They made their Feet Fast in the Stocks (that means they bound them) This is what the world can do for us. But, there was something happened by the Power of God. The Power of God came there, and God moved into a mighty way in that place. Please listen to this. How God came down to that place, into the prison? Because of the Apostles ministry, there was prayers and praising going on there. It was a jail and there was no permission for the ministry activities or the Church activities there, and also it was past midnight.
Suddenly Something Happened: a. There was an Earthquake b. The foundations of that prison were shaken c. Immediately all the Doors and Gates were opened d. Everyone’s bands were loosed. e. The Jailor was awakened from his sleep (this means he awoke from his spiritual darkness) This all happened by God’s move through the prayers, praising and singing of dear Apostles, Paul and Silas. There was a great power in prayers and praising. God moved in a special way to save His Apostles and so many other people, the thieves and those in bondage, and also God moved to save this Jailor too. Apostles were put in a prison, and were insulted by different groups of people; judges, rulers, common people in the market, but they were not disappointed, and it did not stop their ministry, prayer, and praising. They also used that place of darkness, prison, for worshipping the Lord,
God The Most High. They did not lose their hope in Jesus, they believed for a miracle, their hope was only the Lord at that place. And God did not disappoint them, He heard them, He saw them, He Moved by their prayers and praising! That is why Apostle Paul said with his experience to the Church of Corinth in 1 Cor 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” Our God is a God of Peace (Rom 15:33, 16:20, Phil 4:9, 1Thess 5:23 and Eph 2:14). And God knows how to bring peace in all Churches of the saints. God looks with compassion upon the people whom He loves, He sees them as “afflicted” and not comforted. Is 54:11–12. The proclamation of God’s plan of redemption contains the promise of peace to God’s people (Ps 29:11, 85:8, 119:165, Prov 3:17, Is 9:6-7, Rom 8:6 etc). Now coming back to the life of the Jailor: he was so afraid of all the things that happened that night with God’s move
and the whole foundations, doors, gates being opened and damaged. He thought all of this that happened was just himself and believed it was in his thinking, so he decided to kill himself. On the same night and specific time, he thought every prisoner had left. But everything was incorrect in his own thinking and belief. The Truth was, everyone was there. The prisoners heard new songs, and new worship, and came to know about their Saviour. They were all loosed from the bondages but now they were bound by the Love of God, and had experienced the Miraculous Power of God in their lives. When the Jailor heard from the Apostles, he did not harm himself. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and was trembling and fell down before the Apostles, Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked them what must he do to be saved? Immediately the Apostles replied him to,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Hallelujah! This Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ helped this Jailor to be saved and he rejoiced with all his house members. What this Jailor did: a. He took the Apostles out of the Prison b. His family Washed their stripes c. His family heard the Word of God d. His family obeyed the Word of God e. His family was Baptized f. His family was very Hospitable to the Apostles g. His family ministered to them h. His family Believed in God i. His family rejoiced in God These things made the whole family to rejoice in God. The whole family found God and God’s Peace. This happened by the ministry of Apostles Paul and Silas.
God did bring a great Joy and Peace: a. Into this officer’s family (Jailor’s family) b. Into the lives of Prisoners c. Into the lives of Apostles Paul and Silas. God is a God of Peace. Hallelujah! Anybody can find this great peace in Jesus alone, His peace is the perfect peace which is called Shalom. The Bible says, “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked.” (Is 48:22, 57:21, 59:8). If you still don’t find God’s peace though your worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, it is not a fault of God or of His Apostles, but it is a fault of your believing or Faith. Acts 16:34 says, “they rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Right believing in God brings you His perfect PEACE. God bless!
Peace Makers
Pastor Jimmie Lewis
Is there someone today that you know, who needs peace? Or is there someone who has peace, but won't give it away? The truth is that we all need peace, even when we already have it. Let me share with those who do not know peace or do not know where to find it. Then I will tell those who have it, who think they may have lost it. First, Jesus said in St John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you.” In other words, it is yours right now, He will not take it back. But He said, I will leave it with you, and My peace, I give it to you. And not what the world calls peace. Let not your heart be troubled and neither let it be afraid. When we have Jesus, we have the peace that passes all understanding, and there is no more to get. “He is the Prince of peace and King of peace.” (Hebrews 7:2). Luke says this, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and good will toward men.” Is there someone today that you know, who needs peace? Is there someone who has peace, but will not give it away? The truth is that we all need peace, even when we already have it. We cannot have peace without JESUS! Peace means to have “quietness.” Here is how Isaiah said it. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness
quietness and assurance forever.” (Isaiah 32:17). Then Job 34:29 says, “When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble?” No man or foe. Here is what you have when you/I have Jesus. Great peace have they which love thy Law (word) and nothing shall offend them. This is for those that have it already. Now to those who feel like they have lost it, be of good cheer, it did not go away. Jesus gave it to you and what He gives, He will never loose, nor will He take it back. He put it in your heart. And if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. We just think sometimes that peace is gone, yet it was deposited within you. Sometimes the tree looks dead, but the sap is still in the tree. According to Matthew 5:9 it says, “Blessed are the peacemakers or maintainers of peace, or harmonizers of peace, for they shall be called the children of God.” Peace is security, safety, silence, health, prosperity which comes through relationship. If we want to be these harmonizers of peace, we must reduce the raging of the sea in us. Then first “Be still” and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Be silent, O all flesh be silent for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. We shall muzzle the wins of adversity, the storms of
life we shall hold them back, and they cannot hurt the trees. God has raised us up for this purpose. Isaiah 57:20 says, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea.” The “sea” here speaks of the masses of humanity when it cannot rest (or have NO peace), whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There are some peacemakers that shall cease the raging sea. But they first shall be called, harmonizers or peacemakers. Isaiah 57:19 says this, “I create the fruit of the lips (the speech, language) of peace. Peace to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith the Lord and I will heal him.” How do we heal people? By what we say, or what we do not say. Here is what Jesus said about this in Luke 21:15. “For I will give you a mouth (A speech or language) and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist.” So the Lord God hath given us/me the tongue of the learned, that (or in order that) I should know how to speak a word in season to him
that are weary (who have no rest), he wakens morning by morning, he wakens mine ear to hear as the learned. Beloved we are called to be Peacemakers. For He is our peace, who HATH made both one, and HATH broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinance, for to
make in himself of twain, ONE new man, so making peace. Colossians 1:20 says, “And having made peace through theblood of his cross, by him to reconcile ALL things unto himself by him.” I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 says, “And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. And be at “Peace” among yourselves.” “If it be possible,
as much that lies in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18 Do you have peace to give to others? If so, then give it away. It is needed very largely today. James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” The world is calling for YOU the peace-makers!
HOW STEPHEN COULD PRAISE GOD WHILE HE WAS BEING STONED or, The Greatest Sermon Ever Lived or, How to Get the Church off to a Great Start
by: Rev. Kathy Weddle
Looking over the story of Stephen more closely than I had before, I found a wealth of information I’d not really noticed. It was in the narrative all along; I’d read it many times. I have a few things I’d like to submit to you today: Stephen was not a leader in the early Church; he was a servant. Appointed as a Deacon along with 6 others to help bring peace to the issue of the Hellenist’s widow’s physical needs not being properly attended to and so the Apostles could tend to the more important work of developing early doctrine, laying foundations, teaching, praying, etc. Stephen was known to be full of grace and the Holy Spirit; he performed signs and wonders, obviously one of the first preacher-evangelists. That’s why he drew the attention of the wrong people. Someone seems to always want to challenge people who move in the Power of the Holy Spirit; this time was no exception. It wasn’t long before Stephen found himself brought up on charges of blasphemy. Yet, while all these horrible accusations
were being hurled at him, Stephen showed no concern at his plight; in fact, people noticed the “look of an angel” on his face. When it finally became his turn to speak, Stephen, as we know, took them all to task for their very real blasphemies, mincing no words. As uncontrolled rage took them over, he fixed his eyes on…..the fear….the danger…..the realization he was about to die…..this life he was about to lose…..no…. He fixed his eyes on Heaven. Not on his dire situation. Not on what he had to know was his impending death, an extraordinarily painful death. No. He searched the Heavens for a Face. And he found Him. As God the Father pulled back the curtains of Heaven to reveal Jesus standing, not sitting, but standing, to receive the first Martyr of His Church, His Bride, Stephen had all he needed. He’d live the Gospel before them. He’d brought them to a place of accountability for their own rebellion against God.
He’d stood strong in the face of unfair and violent treatment. And he didn’t waver. He looked into the eyes of his Beloved, his Savior, and emulated the very words Jesus spoke from the Cross: “Father, forgive them”. Love. In the face of the vilest of evil. Grace. In spite of all they had done to him. Mercy. Paid with his life. With the sacrifice of his life, he obtained a crown of victory to lay at Jesus’ feet.
The event of his death lit a fuse under the burgeoning church, kicking it into high gear; inspired Saul, who’d witnessed the whole thing, to start his short lived career of judge, jury, and executioner, which in turn led to his own miraculous salvation, which led to a veritable explosion in the spread of the Gospel and the completion of the New Testament, which of course, continues to lay the foundation for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this day. Augustine said, "The
Church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen" (quoted in Barclay 1976:62). In fact, Saul is the one adversary named in the incident. Luke is laying the groundwork for the great victory God will win through Saul's conversion and subsequent missionary service. Stephen’s testimony and sacrifice also brought the Gospel and the Church directly into the lime light; could no longer be ignored as an unimportant little clique that would eventually die out.
Stephen obviously counted the cost before he started out in his service. He was already fixed on Heaven as the ultimate reward when he dove into enemy territory with his acts and messages. He understood he was “in this world but not of this world”, so when the time came, giving up his earthly life was but a small matter; his spirit was one with the King of Kings; his eyes adored that Face, and that carried him right through the Gates.
(The Truth of God’s word)
Ernest Nelson Kweku Nanor, lives in Takoradi, Ghana. He works for one person, JESUS CHRIST, who is his Administrator. Ernest is the Administrator of Youth for Christ, the Team Leader for Fire Evangelism, and an Evangelist with Family of glory Prayer and Evangelical Outreach. Ernest loves God and wants to see the world come to know Jesus Christ.
by: Evangelist Ernest Nelson K. Nanor
We hear of Fire outbreak almost every day and every time in the nations; because if there is no fire outbreak, there would not be any need for fire extinguishers and the fire service units we have in almost every country in the world. Their presence in our midst gives us a comfortable hope that even though fire can arise at any time in our homes, work places, schools, hospitals and in the market areas as it used to happen almost every year in Accra and Kumasi market areas of Ghana, there is the hope that that fire can be quenched. However, the Fire of God in the Christian Church can never be quenched. Every fleshly thing gives us pictures and figures of the spiritual realities but is not the realities and for that matter we cannot rely on what happens to us in the flesh to make our profound and final judgments when dealing with spiritual truth. The fleshly fire we see cannot be compared to the unconsumable fire of God. Truth is truth and falsity is falsity. None of the Old Testament prophets declared him as the truth as the Lord did and because this is true he illustrated it in his passages with I Am which is why his enemies hated him greatly. The Truth is of surety and because he is the truth and is based on the truth, other pronouncement which is
not subject to the Truth is brought under his subjection. In Jeremiah 23:29 it says that ‘Is not my word life Fire, Is not my word like hammer that breaketh the rock into pieces?’ That rock there is nothing but the unbelieving heart. Thank God that even while we were yet sinners sold to the flesh through the lust of our minds and unbelievers of the gospel through ignorance Christ died for us. This is one thing that fulfils God’s long standing heart desire that the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the waters cover the seas. Knowledge is light and light is truth. The scripture declares that for lack of knowledge my own people perish and because they have refused knowledge I have also refused them from being a priest to me. The are many people in the Africa today who are totally lost and have chosen to pervert the Glory of God to some fetish idols all in the name of seeking protection and as a result of that they are not corrected by the Lord anymore. If I have a billion dollar and I see two different cars costing a billion dollar and a billion and half dollar and I choose to purchase the former with all the cash on me, it automatically means that that car which was
worth a million dollar is mine once the paper work has been accomplished on it and I am free to use the car any where I want to use it but the other car is not mine. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus said “it is finished.” He has paid for every aorta of darkness in our lives with his precious blood. In the Old Testament even a goat was able to compensate the sins and darkness’s of the children of God once on every year of atonement made by a human high priest. What again should Jesus do again for us? If God did not spare his only begotten Son but instead gave him to be a propitiation for our sins, is he unrighteous to that extent not to
give us whatever we ask of him who includes his maximum protection? So why could people go to that mile to even consult with witch doctors, fetish idols, sorcerers and magicians just because of what they are going through at the moment?
period to train your heart and your faith because Jesus is calling you to look up to him and him alone. He has glorious plans for you shortly If you will not look to your left or your right about the magnitude of the storm you are passing through.
If our fore-fathers who did not know God and were total aliens of the common wealth of Israel and were not part of the covenants of promise as God has given to us freely through Christ invested their hopes and trust in these fetish idols, why should we also who have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, the kingdom of Light cling back to that darkness again?
Are you feeling ashamed to speak the truth in the midst of your adversities? Have you been asked to embark on a mission you are struggling to accomplish which has gotten to the point that you want to back off? Don’t give up. Speak the truth, preach the Gospel in the midst of all the criticisms and under estimations you are going through. From generation to generation it has been so for every preacher of the gospel. We are persecuted on every side but still we are more than conquers.
Watch this: God is speaking directly into your heart to have a change of mind and heart to cling back to him. Have you lost your faith, confidence and the courage to stand boldly in the midst of the storm that seems to surround you? God is using this
Think about David. At the age of 17 he was able to stand before Goliath. Goliath was a trained army with great arminicians but David was not. Saul and all the other children of Israel who equipped themselves with all the high class trainings
could not slew Goliath but David did so with ease. How did he achieve that? Was it because he was skillfully trained for that battle? In his submission he said that when he was taking care of his father’s flock he had an experience but believe me, that experience he said to Saul was not what got him the victory. It had no relationship with the piece of leather and the rock that knocked down the Philistine. What was the actual thing that got him the victory? It was his child like faith that got him that victory. And this same childlike faith is in you as well. Just remember your lifetime to see the number of adventures you overcame even while you were a kid. The matter is that, if even by then without Christ you stood, how much more now. Jesus is worthy to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think according to the faith that is working in you just now. Only believe because Jesus saves. God bless you in Jesus name.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST
by: Evangelist/Teacher Rick McKnight
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. In the beginning God created man in His (Gods) own kingdom! It was a kingdom of life, health, prosperity, joy, strength, peace, and love. When Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit from the tree in the midst of the garden they died spiritually and fell into a lower (satan’s) kingdom. In that lower kingdom was opposite of everything God intended for them to have. Faith became fear, health became sickness, wealth became poverty, joy became depression, and righteousness became sin. God through His Son (Jesus) has provided a way for man to be delivered from the power of darkness back into His Kingdom! Everyone that is born again is delivered from the power (kingdom) of darkness back into the kingdom of His Dear Son! Colossians 1:15-16. 13 Who hath delivered us from the power (kingdom)of darkness, and hath translated
us (back) into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord God says He HAS delivered us from the kingdom of darkness and translated us into the original kingdom He intended for Adam and Eve to enjoy! A kingdom FAR above the fallen kingdom of darkness! It is a kingdom of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost! 2 Corinthians 5:21 King James Version (KJV) 21 For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Therefore, we have Peace with God because we are no longer under the law of sin and death! We can now quit trying and start trusting!
We come in a new and living way! No longer under the curse of the law.
Romans 8:2 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law (kingdom) of sin and death. We are actually made the Righteousness of God in Christ! PEACE!
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousn ess shall be peace; and the effect of righteousn ess quietness and assurance forever.
Peace comes as a result of having been made the righteousness of God in Christ! (And believing it!) Jesus said: John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. As a result of both righteousness, and peace we can now be filled with "Joy in the Holy Ghost"! Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit! Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go
your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Acts 1:8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
You are now righteous in God’s sight! You have peace as a result of that righteousness, and that gives you joy even in the midst of trials and adverse circumstances, and all the attacks of satan.
Paul the Apostle admonishes us to "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!" Philippians 4:4
Because you are born of, and filled with the Holy Ghost (if you will receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and power!)
You are in a new kingdom if you have been born again! It is not meat or drink, but RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, and JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST!
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NKJV)
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Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I thank you for dying on the cross for me. I confess with my mouth. I believe in my heart that you are the Son of God. I believe you are the Lord and that God raised you from the dead. Please, forgive me of my sins. Wash my heart clean. Come live in my life. Be the Lord of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk with you and live for you the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me and for giving me the gift of eternal life in Heaven with you. Amen.
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