Michael continues that each moment in time is a point of decision; either to trust
God and allow His peace to reign in our hearts, or to succumb to the confusion
of the God-rejecting world system. Jesus
said in Matthew 10:34, I have not
come to bring a peace treaty with the evil spiritual powers of this earth, but
to bring a sword to separate belief from unbelief ... to set believing
members of a household against the unbelievers. “For the Word of God is
alive and powerful, and is sharper than a two edged sword to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and is a discerner between the thoughts and
intentions of the heart” – Hebrews 4:12.
The Word of God separates righteousness from unrighteousness and believing from
unbelieving. The sword of the Word of God must first separate the wretched
sinful nature of the flesh from the righteous nature of the Spirit of God, in
Christ, in us. “If we live in the light as he is in the light, the blood
of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:7.
God's purpose for trials is to drive us away from the sin-sick world and back to Christ. Our hearts must first be broken in order for God to heal us by reconciling us back to Himself through the righteous payment of the blood of Jesus Christ. Sin convicts us for he who knoweth to do righteousness and doeth it not, to him this is sin – James 4:17. Like the prodigal son, the point of repentance, of turning around, is when we realize that we are living in the pig pen of this sinful, self-centered world and say, "I will arise and go unto my father" – Luke 15:18. Every moment is a point of repentance: to turn from the sin nature of the flesh and the deceivingly illusionary enticements of the wicked world and to run back to our Father's loving embrace. He has called us to live "in the eye of the hurricane." – in the world, but not of the world. Our comfort is that in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus says, "Peace be still."
To maintain the peace of God, “blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree that is planted by the rivers of waters. His leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” – Psalm1:1-3. Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches... abide in me and I in you and he who abides in me shall bear much fruit" – John 15:5.
“Therefore, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Philippians 4:6-7. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye have been called in one body, and be ye thankful” – Colossians 3:15.
As the angel said to the shepherds on a Judean hillside on that first Christmas day, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord"... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" – Luke 2:11-14.
May God richly bless you. Happy New Year!.
Your brother in Christ, Michael
God's purpose for trials is to drive us away from the sin-sick world and back to Christ. Our hearts must first be broken in order for God to heal us by reconciling us back to Himself through the righteous payment of the blood of Jesus Christ. Sin convicts us for he who knoweth to do righteousness and doeth it not, to him this is sin – James 4:17. Like the prodigal son, the point of repentance, of turning around, is when we realize that we are living in the pig pen of this sinful, self-centered world and say, "I will arise and go unto my father" – Luke 15:18. Every moment is a point of repentance: to turn from the sin nature of the flesh and the deceivingly illusionary enticements of the wicked world and to run back to our Father's loving embrace. He has called us to live "in the eye of the hurricane." – in the world, but not of the world. Our comfort is that in the midst of the storms of life, Jesus says, "Peace be still."
To maintain the peace of God, “blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree that is planted by the rivers of waters. His leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” – Psalm1:1-3. Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches... abide in me and I in you and he who abides in me shall bear much fruit" – John 15:5.
“Therefore, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Philippians 4:6-7. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye have been called in one body, and be ye thankful” – Colossians 3:15.
As the angel said to the shepherds on a Judean hillside on that first Christmas day, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord"... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" – Luke 2:11-14.
May God richly bless you. Happy New Year!.
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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