The Peace of God

 Do you need PEACE?

A true and genuine peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit. So having or not having peace is not determined by people, conditions or situations. 

The peace which comes from God is a stable in our life no matter who we are around. It doesn't matter what our situation is or the condition of the world, we can still have His peace, because His peace passes understanding.

 God's Word says that He will keep us in His perfect peace if our mind is stayed on Him. If our mind is stayed on self, people, situations, conditions etc... then we will never experience His true peace. 

Romans 12:18 says for us to do all that we can to live in peace "with" everyone. So even when we are "with" and "among" people, whoever they may be, we are to do all that we can to live in peace with them.

 Psalm 34:14 says for us to depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. When most quote this verse it is the latter part that they quote and not the former, but the only way a person can seek peace and pursue it,  they must first do the former, which is to depart from evil and do good or seeking peace and pursuing it will be in vain.

Peace is also one of the evidences that the Kingdom of God is within us. For the Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).

True peace can only come through Christ Jesus by the working power of Holy Spirit in us! 

Set your eyes, heart and mind on Jesus and ask God to fill you with "His" peace today.

They are Toxic?

 I hear talk from Believers about separating themselves from other Believers. They say things like..."They are toxic!" 

They better be the personification of pure evil if one has decided to wash their hands of them, and I sincerely doubt they are if they're a true brother or sister in Christ. Saying things like "they are toxic" to justify your separation from them will not fly with God!

I hear people say things like, "I forgive them but want nothing to do with them" even if they have repented.

 What if Jesus said, "Thanks for repenting and I forgive you but I want nothing to do with you"?

According to God's Word we are to strive with everything that is within us to be at peace "with everyone," to be a peace maker and remain cordial.

According to God's Word when is it okay as a Believer to separate ourself from someone?

1) If they are a false Teacher. 

2) If they twist God's Word for profit while causing dissention. 1Tim. 6:5, 

3) If they are heretical and bring a different doctrine and continue doing this even though they are convicted. Rom. 16:17, Titus 3:10.

4) If they are disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught. 2 John 1:10.

5) If they are a lazy non- working person, who is a busy body/ meddlesome in other people's affairs. 2 Thess. 3:14.

6) If they bear the name of Christian but operate in immorality, greed, idolatry. 

7) If they are a railer, abuser, drunkard, slanderous, robber. Have nothing to do with them. 1 Cor. 5:9-11.

8) If they have a form of godliness but their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession. 

Avoid all such people turn away from them. 2 Tim. 3:5.

 And only after we have done all 3 steps in Mt. 18:15-17 with our Brother or Sister and they still refuse to listen, only then do we consider them as loss. Sadly, many jump to separating without even taking the steps in Matt. 18.

If a brother or sister does repent and we still separate ourself from them, this is wrong and it is a sin! 

Sometimes an honest self examination of ourself might be required? Questions to ask one's self, (1) Am I separating myself because I have been toxic and need to repent? (2) Could my pride be keeping me from repenting to those I have come against? (3) Is it easier to run than admit my wrong?

Repent, make things right with your Brother or Sister, or just as you have done to them will be done to you. 

So when you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother has any grievance against you. Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace and be "reconciled" to your Brother, and then come back and present your gift. Mt. 5:23-24. 

Please be obedient. Time is drawing near. Make things right with Brothers and Sisters before it is too late and you find yourself at the judgment seat!

Does Jesus know you?

 Did you know that just believing in Jesus and speaking His name is not evidence of a relationship with Him?

Demons know who Jesus is. Demons will call Jesus by name! Demons believe! (James 2:19, Luke 8:28, Acts 19:15).

Maybe why Jesus told His Disciples to rejoice not that spirits are subject unto them but rather rejoice that their names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20).

There is so much more than believing "in" Jesus!

There is so much more than just speaking His name!

It is about "believing" Jesus!

It is about knowing Him and having a relationship with Him and Him knowing you!

If we truly "know" Jesus we are going to speak "about" Him and not just speak His name. We will speak about "who" Jesus is. We will speak about the Gospel message and the work of the cross. We will speak about Jesus coming in the flesh as the only begotten Son of God. That He came to lay His life down for sinners for the forgiveness of our sins. It is about Jesus and His death on the cross and His resurrection that made a Way for us to come to God (our Creator and Heavenly Father).

It is about us "hearing" His Word and being a "doer" of His Word. It is about us trusting Him, and what He says for us to do we will do. It is about us Glorifying Jesus (not man) and lifting "who" He is up! It is about us showing Him that we love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and showing His love to others. 

The "name" of Jesus is powerful because the power comes from Jesus and who He is. It is Jesus "in" us being manifested from us by the evidence of the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.