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Thoughts Archived > Peace In The Land


28 Sep 2014

                                   

 

September 28, 2014

Peace In The Land 

Acts 9: 31  

 

 

 Luke

The church then had peace through-out Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers.  The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

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Thoughts....

 

Ah......peace.  Have you ever felt it?  Take a deep breath, let it out, relax your shoulders......can you feel a breath of it now?

Peace can easily escape us in the rat race of life.  In the family, in the workplace, the highways and byways of life, and yes, even in our church, as well as with relationships with others....friends or not.  So how do we overcome, rise above, to feel the 'peace that passes all understanding'?  Look....at God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Enjoin them.  Be embraced by them.

I hear you....you're saying "Ya, that may be easy for you to say and do, but you don't know my life."  Ah....and you don't know mine either.  Do you think that because I am a Pastor, Minister, Teacher, that I am not an ordinary child of God like you?  I am subject to the rich, all embracing goodness of God, and, I suffer the attacks of Satan, just like you.  We are not different.  My focus on God, Jesus, Holy Spirit is no more perfect, nor imperfect, than yours.  I am as attacked by Satan as you.  But, if you choose to accept, or have already accepted, Jesus as your Savior, you can have the same blessed assurance as I.

In todays lesson we learn the church....then....had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.  What came before 'then' in todays lesson?  Let's look at last weeks lesson to learn. 

'THEN Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus.  Barnabas also told them what the Lord had said to Saul and how he boldly preached the name of Jesus in Damascus.  Acts 9:27

In this reference, the 'then' was that another (Barnabas) gave credibility to Saul's testimony by telling the apostles, the 'powers that be', of Saul's experience [of having seen the Lord on the way to Damascus], and by sharing what the Lord had said to Saul.  Barnabas brought foundational light to Saul's integrity by explaining how he boldly preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. 

Are you going through something in life whereby others could give credibility, and bring foundational light to your integrity?  Ask God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and others, to share what they know of the TRUTH of your life.  Beware, others may be attempting to impart lies about you all the while.  Pray!

What else occurred before 'then'?

'THEN the apostles accepted Saul, and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.'

This 'then' was that the apostles, 'the powers that be', accepted Saul and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem.

There is hope for your situation whatever it is.  Saul was accepted, and he was constantly with those who found him credible and with integrity.  Now, if you don't want to be where you will be accepted and respected as a result of your credibility and integrity, by all means, self destruct.  God gave us free will to do as we choose.  You can choose heaven, but you may choose hell, if you'd rather.  Oh, but you may see what could be heaven as your hell.  Think on this....and most definitely pray about it.

What else occurred before the church could then have peace, and grow in strength and numbers?

Saul preached boldly in the name of Jesus the Lord.  Note that Jesus, and the Lord, are one and the same person. 

Now I hear you saying, "Wait!  Now you are telling me I not only have to live a life worthy of the Lord, but I have to go preach boldly about him?  I'm not called to do that."  Ummmmm, yes you are! 

Well, if....BIG IF....you accepted Jesus as your Savior and made him Lord of your life, you ARE called to share 'who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is', and preach this message boldly:  "The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus."  Acts 5:42  Boldly: with conviction, without question [faith], with knowledge and wisdom.  You may not be only 'hearers' of the Word, you must be 'doers' of the Word....wellllll....that is IF you seek eternal life.  IF you seek to stay joined to Jesus.  John 15

Therein is the foundation for achieving peace. 

What will you achieve by gaining peace?

The church....you....and the body of believers of/for Christ Jesus....will [Say WILL] grow in strength and numbers.  An encampment will surround you. 

"Wait a minute.", you say.  "Are you telling me that I have to be surrounded by a bunch of people all the time?"  Maybe.  If you choose.  You could continue to choose to live a life of isolation.  Where has that gotten you?  How has that made you feel?

"But I like myself, being alone with myself."  Okay.  I'm not saying that being alone is a bad thing, as long as you have the Lord with you.  I am saying there is an enormous wealth of love and support available to you should you choose to obey God, follow him more nearly, love him more dearly, and go forth as he has called you to do.  The rewards are immeasurable.  Consider NOT having eternal life.  Consider NOT doing the will of and being in the will of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

"So what do I have to do again....then?"  Ahhhh....I thought you might consider the better alternative.

Obey the Lord. 

"It's that simple?"

Yup. 

"And what will I get for this?"

Peace in the [your] land, a new found family of Christ who will surround you and support you in your endeavor to live life and live with/for The Lord.  

"Is that all?"

No.  Providing you do indeed endeavor to live with/for the Lord, obey God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and stay enjoined to them, you will receive eternal life. 

"Will it be easy?" 

No.  Emphatically NO!  But will it be worth it?  Absolutely, emphatically YES! 

BELIEVE! 

And preach boldly the message:  The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus!

Then you will have peace in the land....yours. 

There IS something else I need to share with you.  IF, BIG IF, you, as a believer, will walk in fear [respectfully obeying with love and honor] of/for the Lord, you will also walk in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

"So what is the big deal about having Holy Spirit?"

'Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ [Holy Spirit] living in them are not Christians at all.'  Romans 8:9

'Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.'  Romans 10-11

'We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.  There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.'  Ephesians 4:4-5

You can read about the fruits the Holy Spirit gives in Galatians 5.  You can read about the gifts the Holy Spirit gives in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14:1-25.  For armor for the battles of life, see Ephesians 6:10-18.  

Here are more references about peace:

John 14:27 - Jesus said, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives.  So don't be troubled or afraid."

Romans 8:6 - Paul said, "If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death.  But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace."

Romans 14:17-18 - Paul also instructed, "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God."

Romans 15:13 - Paul continues:  "So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him.  May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Romans 16:20 - Paul tells us further:  "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  May the grace of your Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

2 Corinthians 13:11 - Paul closes this letter with the following words:  "Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words:  Rejoice.  Change your ways.  Encourage each other.  Live in harmony and peace.  Then the God of love and peace will be with you."

Ephesians 4:1-3 - Paul begs us to "...lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.  Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace."

Philippians 4:4-7 - Paul pleads with us:  "Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again - rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  IF you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 3:15 - Paul and Timothy share the following:  "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts and make you wise."  Please also read for your benefit all of chapter 3 to learn how to best live your life as a Christian.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 - Paul, Silas and Timothy sanctify us with this blessing:  "Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may our whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again."

2 Thessalonians 5:16 - Paul gives a final blessing:  "May the Lord of peace himself always give you his peace no mater what happens.  The Lord be with you all."

Hebrews 12:14 - Here we learn, "Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord."

1 Peter 1:2 - Peter writes to us, who are God's chosen people, and he says, "God the Father chose you long ago, and the Spirit has made you holy.  As a result, you have obeyed Jesus Christ and are cleansed by his blood.  May you  have more and more of God's special favor and wonderful peace."

2 Peter 1:1b-2 - Peter writes to all of us who share the same precious faith he and the other apostles had, faith given to all by Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, who makes all of us right with God.  He blesses us saying, 'May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God, and Lord better and better."  

2 Peter 3: 14 - We are told by Peter, "And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen [the new heavens and  new earth promised by God- v. 13], make every effort to live a pure and blameless life.  And be at peace with God."

Jude a slave in love for Jesus, and a brother of James, writes in verses 1-2 'to all who are called to live in the love of God the Father and the care of Jesus Christ.  May you receive more and more of God's mercy, peace, and love.'

And Luke recorded Jesus' words to a woman of faith, but whose words are for us all, as we find in his Gospel Chapter 7, Verse 50:  "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."   

Has your faith saved you?  If so, you shall have peace in your land!         

 

 

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  Let Us Pray

 

"Go in peace."  Such simple words God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Yet so difficult to achieve.  But I thank you for instilling peace in me as a result of my faith.  I pray I will always be enjoined to you, that I might not only experience your peace that passes all understanding, but impart your peace to others, as I go forth, having been called by you, as a child of God, to go forth.  Just like every other Christian in the world is called to do.  How we live that is dependent on the strength, fruits, gifts, comfort, grace, mercy, and more, that we receive from you.  So, although there is one baptism for forgiveness of sins, there is another baptism that will allow me and others to be 'fully filled' to go forth....your baptism Holy Spirit, the same as the Lord experienced on the day after he came out of the water having been baptized to show his desire to be forgiven/cleansed of sins, and ALL the believers in Christ Jesus experienced at Pentecost, as Holy Spirit baptized with fire, when he came like the wind upon them.  I ask you Holy Spirit to baptize me anew, again, more fully, that I may go forth with a new strength: yours, a new conviction: God's, a new life with Jesus.  Empower me as never before.  And do the same for all the believers.  Bring a renewed passion and love to us for you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit fall afresh on me and all others to include not only my family, but those in the world who surround me who profess Christ, and those who live him and his faith walk NOT.  Forgive, if you choose, those who seek to hurt, maim, curtail, dissuade, derail, redirect wrongly, destroy, distinctly hurt and come up against myself and others.  It is not my battle, it is your war.  However, I am in the trenches for and with you.  Help me put on your armor and live my life in such a way as others might learn through me, as you say, the unforced rhythms of grace.  How great thou art.  I bow down to you to lift you up.  I recommit myself to you to walk, and speak, in hopes of bringing you glory.  May you be praised throughout the land, and may there be peace in the land now and for all eternity.  I praise you God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and I thank you!  All honor and glory is yours!  Alleluia!  Amen.      

 

 

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More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

 

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

 

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

 

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    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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 I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

 

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