November 7, 2001

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

Life can be quite a challenge with its everyday ups and downs. Nevertheless, we as Christians can have peace. We can stand up against the storms of this world and have the victory. Yet, how is the question to be asked?

We read the story of the disciples in the midst of a storm while Jesus slept near by. The wind was blowing fiercely against their ship as the sea roared like a lion. Violently they were being toasted and panic began to set in. Just when they thought that all was lost, someone remember that Jesus was there. They ran to Him to find peace and He delivered. He said something however, that explained their anxiety and fear. He said, "How is it that ye have no faith?"

Today, it is the same with us. We doubt when we should have faith. As Christians, we should know in whom we believe. We should know that as nature is subject to the Word of God, so are all the obstacles that we may face. We must understand that He will not allow anything to come to us that we cannot handle. Then when things do come, we can have the assurance that He has already provided a way out. (See on 1 Cor. 10:13.)

So my friends, in this world we may have trouble, but as the elements are made silent by God's Word, we can find peace in the midst of our storms by FAITH in His Word. Walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to someone else.

Monday, November 5, 2001

"He Sends Peace"

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. (Isaiah 32:17)

How is that to be? How does the work of righteousness bring peace? The Bible tells us, that when the Holy Spirit comes "He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8) which is crucial to man. Without His working in our lives we would not understand that God has provided only one means of salvation (Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 3:11), with is faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 18, 36).

While Jesus was on the earth, he pointed the way to the perfect righteousness required of those who would enter heaven (Matt. 5:48, 6:33). We now, who desire to be saved, must be lead to see our faults. After His return to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to continue this work. As we daily surrender our lives to the leading of the Spirit, yielding our wills to Him, we will not be lead to sin but to peace and reconciliation to God. Finally, because of our surrender to His leading, "our love will be made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17) because of the leading of the Holy Spirit.

So now my friends, "Abide in Him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming" 1 John 2:28.

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

"Hear This Word"

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)

We do not live in a vacuum. We live with our past staring at us, with our present challenging us, and with our destiny biding us to press on toward the ultimate goal of facing our Lord. The Word of God keeps reminding us that we cannot complete the journey of faith when we choose to live as though history and destiny do not matter. "Eat, drink, and be merry," "for to morrow we die," (Luke 12:19; 1 Cor. 15:32) is the philosophy of the evil one who would like us to forget the way God has led us in the past and the way He wants us to persevere toward the future. The prodigal son lived by such a philosophy and ended up in a pigpen. Renewal came only when he remembered his father's home and love and when he took that first step to retrace his noble origin. So it is with us. (Leo R. Van Dolson, Adult S.S. Bible Study Guide, Oct. 2001)

There are three crucial needs of God's people: the need to remember history, the need to listen to God's Word, and the need to know that the day of reckoning is not far off. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)

Tuesday, October 09, 2001

"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)

Here was Paul, about to go to his death, and the question is probably asked, "Aren't you afraid?" His reply was, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

In this text, Jesus wants us to have an inward peace so strong that if death is to come we are certain of our outcome. But how do we obtain it? How can we have this peace? My friends, it rests completely in Jesus. When we understand that we are "justified by faith" (Rom. 5:1), all sense of guilt will be removed. This will giving us the confidence to stand before His throng in boldness "in the Day of Judgment" (1 John 4:17). Then, because of our implicit trust in Him, we will "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving" we will make our requests known unto God. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (See Phil 4:6,7).

So this morning, remember that these things Jesus has spoken unto you, that in Him you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; Jesus has overcome the world. (See John 16:33.) He says, "my peace I give unto you."