Redemptive Cinema

For my Redemptive Cinema class, I was encouraged to watch a movie called ‘I Am Legend,’ it crossed the genre of a sci-fi, horror, and even a thriller in various parts. What made it even more confusing, the main character Robert Neville, wore many hats, as the Time Magazine on his refrigerator read, “Soldier. Scientist. Savior.” The movie at first seems very normal, and we see humanity rejoicing the victory over cancer, an enemy that has haunted humanity for years. Wow, a cure for cancer!

3 years later

The movie shifts to a desolate scene of one of the busiest places in the world, Time Square. Something went wrong; the filmmakers continues to build the suspense. Then it becomes clear, that man, in his best efforts, subsequently creates the very virus that puts humanity in danger of extinction.

Not everything that glitters is gold, and for the rest of the movie we see the results of the catastrophic consequences of humanity’s actions. At that point, we see the zombie-like effects of the virus. Humanity has lost all ability of reason, and transformed into darkness.

The movie really illustrations a parallel of how Adam’s actions infected the whole race with sin. The wrath of sin spreads like a cancer, and like the movie, evil runs rampant. “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people…” (Romans 5:18a)

‘God still loves us,’ is the words of the Bible believing Christian that appears, Anna. She rescues officer Neville right as he is at his wits end. Anna says to him, “The world is quieter now. We just have to listen. If we listen, we can hear God’s plan.” His responds very negative toward God, in fact he mentions that there is no god

“…so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.” (Romans 5:18b)

I realized that I rented the version that had the alternate ending. The effected alpha male attacks the house of Robert Neville only because he wanted the specimen that Neville was working on. Even in a crazed world, and what seems to be an unresponsive creature, was an act of love for his own. Neville returns the person, and everyone went his or her separate ways.

This movie was the epitome of organized in an insane situation. This ending was picture of redemption, hope in something greater than ourselves. It was a picture of grace, the grace that God provides for us in our darkest of moments. Chaplain Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and will be serving there as a Chaplain in the very near future. You can write to him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Acts 9-10

Think About This: Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Saviour; let us never court great titles nor proud degrees. —C.H. Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well the next two Freedom Fighter blogs that I want to give you will be just a bit different than most of the ones I post.

Christmas is right around the corner and since today is Cyber Monday, I want to suggest several great resources for your consideration in building your devotional library.

One way you can help is this Christmas is to sign up for the program Smile.Amazon.com. If you already have an Amazon account, sign in under smile.amazon.com and it will give you the opportunity to choose a charity. Please consider choosing America’s Keswick. Amazon donates a portion of your purchases to us. Thanks for your consideration.

So here are some great suggestions for you this Christmas either for your devotional library or sharing with a friend:

1. ESV Daily Reading Bible: Through the Bible in 365 Days, based on the popular M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan. I love this tool. It follows the M’Cheyne reading plan, which was originally developed by the 19th century Scottish minister Robert Murray M’Cheyne and is still widely used today. Each day in theDaily Reading Bibledisplays chapters from various books of the Bible, allowing readers to easily work through the assigned passages. Over the course of a year, users will read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and the Psalms twice. Convenient and easy-to-follow, the Daily Reading Bible helps readers encounter the entirety of God’s Word on a daily basis. 

2. Prone to Wander: Prayers of Confession and Celebration. If you have used the devotional, Prayers of the Puritans, you will enjoy this book. The prayers are powerful and convicting. They will pierce your heart and also cause you to celebrate. It is available in both paperback and Kindle.

3. Saving Grace by C. John Miller. Known to many as Jack Miller, this devotional gets right down to the issues of the heart. His practical but right-on daily meditations will speak to your heart. It is available in hardcover and Kindle. 

4. New Morning Mercies by Paul David Trip Over the years I have had a love-hate relationship with Oswald Chambers. That guy knew how to cut right down to my heart. Well,I feel the same way about Dr. Tripp’s ministry. This devotional is not for the faint of heart. It will definitely expose you to the grace of God and how it can impact your life. It is available in hardcover and Kindle

5. His Battle: God’s Plan For Victory Most of us desire to be men who walk in victory. This little devotional will give you a verse for the day and a simple challenge of how to walk out victory on a daily basis. It is available in hardcover and Kindle.
6. Experiencing God – The Devotional is one that I have used for the past ten years and still am using it almost every day. I love the practical insight from the pens of Drs. Henry and Richard Blackaby. It is available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle.

I trust these resources will be helpful in your walk with the Lord. 2-6 are really good resources, but #1 is the all time best because it is God’s Word. I make it a practice in my devotional life to always start with the Word before I read the other devotional material. That’s my all-time favorite.

If you are Amazon shopper you might just get some good prices on these resources. Happy Cyber Monday. – Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Acts 7-8 

Think About This: Do not think me mad. It is not to make money that I believe a Christian should live. The noblest thing a man can do is just humbly to receive, and then go amongst others and give. David Livingstone

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Psalm 119:32

Evaluating Your Spiritual Growth Part 2

1 John 2:12-17

¹² I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
¹⁴ I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

Just a few more thoughts on spiritual growth that I would like to encourage you with this week.  Last week we looked at the verses below these above and I gave you six things to consider about your spiritual growth.  Now, I want to back up and let you in on a few things about spiritual growth that you may or may not already know.

1. Spiritual growth does not just happen, we have to have some intentionality to our growth.  It takes time (lots of it) and it takes focus (even more).  We can not afford to be casual about our spiritual growth.  Here are a few areas that we need to grow in: Worship, which is our prayer, praise and our communicating of the gospel. Secondly, we need to grow in our walk with the Lord.  Many of us are confused about the whole walk thing.  This is our growth in the Word of God and our applying that to our lives.  Many of us know what the Bible says, but many of us do not walk that way.  Thirdly, we need to grow in our work for the Lord, again, many of us are confused.  God saved us so that we can get busy using the gifts and talents that he gave us in our churches, homes, and in our neighborhoods.  So, how are you doing in these three areas?
2. Well, if point one has you discouraged, don’t be.  We also need to know that spiritual growth is incremental.  It takes time to grow.  Look at the progression that John lays out in the verses which I alluded to last week.  Little children, young men, and fathers.  So some quick definitions of these verses.
   • Little children are newer believers who need their spiritual foundation laid with the first principles of the faith. Main ingredient here is the need to know that their sins have been forgiving.
   • Young Men are those who have their foundation laid and moving in the right direction, they may still need the help of others.  The main ingredient here is humility, the ability to have others speak in their lives and a willingness to do what is being told to them.
   • Fathers, are those older and more mature believers who must pass on their wisdom and understanding to others.  Main ingredient here is a willingness to share with others.

Time does not permit me to finish so we will pick up one more week, next week.  We will use the same verses next week but finish up.  So, where are you at?  Again, not bad to be where you are because that can change if we allow the Lord to do his work in our lives.  As always, I love you guys and I am praying that as you read these thoughts, you are allowing them to penetrate your hearts and minds so that your growth will be evidenced by all those you know and that they will asked you about the hope that is inside of you.  Have a wonderful day and week.  Doug Barger is the Director of Men’s Ministries at Bethesda Mission. You can write to Doug at dbarger2030@comcast.net

Daily Bible Reading: Philippians 1-4

Think About This: One great power of sin is that it blinds men so that they do not recognize its true character. —Andrew Murray

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

An Attitude of Gratitude

Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. (Mark 4: 25 NIV)

When I read this verse I was sure that Jesus had said that “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” That, of course, is not the meaning of His words. He was teaching our need to be grateful.

As soon as I was able to write, my mother made me write a “thank you” note to my aunt for the new underwear that she gave me for Christmas. How I hated that! It seemed like I was being untruthful. How glad I am now that she taught me this valuable lesson.

When we are thankful for what others do for us they are happy to do more; conversely when we are unthankful they want to take away what they have just given.

How could anyone take away what we have when we have just said that we have nothing? Is it not our Father’s will that we learn to value what we have? Truly grateful people are happy. Much of our unhappiness comes from ingratitude.

Two centuries ago a London pastor stopped by, on his way home for supper, to check on an old widow, who lived in a basement apartment. He found her sitting at a table with only a crust of bread and glass of water. “Oh pastor ,” she said, “will you ask God’s blessing on my meal. Think of it, I have all of this and Jesus!”

I thought how true it is that if we have the whole world but have not Jesus, we have nothing; but just a crust of bread with Jesus is everything! May God give us an attitude of gratitude.

Dear Jesus teach me while I may have little With you I have so much May I value most that I have you And may I value your touch! – Dr. H. G. VanSandt was my Pastor, Mentor, Dad and Friend. He is celebrating Thanksgiving with Jesus

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 10750-10770).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Philemon 

Think About This: I need Thee, O Lord, for a curb on my tongue; when I am tempted to making carping criticisms and cruel judgments, keep me from speaking barbed words that hurt, and in which I find perverted satisfaction. Keep me from unkind words and from unkind silences. Restrain my judgments. Make my criticisms kind, generous, and constructive. Make me sweet inside, that I may be gentle with other people, gentle in the things I say, kind in what I do. Create in me that warmth of mercy that shall enable others to find Thy strength for their weakness, Thy peace for their strife, Thy joy for their sorrow, Thy love for their hatred, Thy compassion for their weakness. In thine own strong name, I pray. Amen. Peter Marshall

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

Hold That Thought

“Therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2b

There are a couple of “watering holes” here at Keswick, only thing is it’s not water but candy. Almost everybody knows where to satisfy that sweet tooth craving, either Bill Jahns’ office or Lynn Randall’s office. Now the parallel I’m using has nothing to do with the people or their office, it’s just to make a point.

Bills Jahns candy dish is more like a small barrel then a bowl and to be honest it’s full of some undesirables, so you have to reach in and dig around for the piece worth eating. Reminds me of the point Solomon is trying to make here as he warns about our words, specifically concerning to House of God. He says, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God”. Like Bill’s candy, when some people feel the need to use many useless words you have to sort thru to see if there are any worthwhile to listen to.

Now Lynn Randel’s office, on the other hand, you will find choice pieces of candy placed on a platter like dish, very few, but premium. I started thinking about the symbolism and how we need to be careful with our words by choosing the choice things to share with one another especially when we are in the House of God. How disturbing it is for someone to say “God told me” or to represent God with their own words only to find out it was their own revelation.

The book of Proverbs as well as James epistle warns us of the dangers of the tongue. I like the closing verse of Psalm 19 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer”.

Now I can be found in Bill’s office rummaging thru his “assortment” of candy, but I would much rather be found in Lynn’s office where there are the choices pieces. Btw, I spoke with Bill and I’m assuming I have his permission to share this because when I told him I what I was writing, he laughed and laughed.

So when we come together, let us be boast in the Lord and not so much in ourselves.

Paul’s letter to Titus is inspired by destructive talk and he gives Titus great advice in chapter 3.

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to Rob at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 4-6

Think About This: It is quite right that you should feel that “something terrific” has happened to you (It has) and be “all glowy.” Accept these sensations with thankfulness as birthday cards from God, but remember that they are only greetings, not the real gift. I mean, it is not the sensations that are the real thing. The real thing is the gift of the Holy Spirit which can’t usually be—perhaps not ever—experienced as a sensation or emotion. The sensations are merely the response of your nervous system. Don’t depend on them. Otherwise when they go and you are once more emotionally flat (as you certainly will be quite soon), you might think that the real thing had gone too. But it won’t. It will be there when you can’t feel it. May even be most operative when you can feel it least. C.S. Lewis

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

What is True Worship?

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23 ESV)

I found the Lord, rather the Lord found me, while I was in a very desolate state. In that, early in my walk with Him, my cry to the Lord usually sounded like: fix me, give me, and thank you for what you have done. Basically, I had my personal cosmic Santa Clause at my disposal. But as I began to fellowship at some conservative, biblically sound churches I started on my way to becoming God’s Man.

I learned from the Word of God, had a sense of strong obedience, and I thought my heart was close to the Lord. Until…! One Friday night, and a young woman (who is now my wife) invited me to a revival service. I went prepared, notebook in hand, King James Bible, and dressed like a court appointed attorney. The service started and people were speaking and crying out to God and praising Him for simply who he is. No begging, no list of healing requests. Just stating facts like God you are Wise, Sovereign, Holy, Omniscient, Faithful, Honorable, Loving etc.

After pushing through my starchy convictions  (or if I’m being honest just my preferences). I realized at that very moment these individuals were closer to God than I was, and they had a true attitude of worship.

And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. (1 Chronicles 13:8 ESV) All throughout the Psalms, David provides an example of man after God’s heart. He worships God in times of trouble, when things are well, when people disagree with him. How does he do this?

One of David’s secrets to true worship was his personal understanding who God is. “The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47) As a result of diligently seeking to know Him, the more easily and readily we are open to worshipping him.

The second advantage David had was that His heart was turned toward and sensitive to the things of God. So worship was an extension of the state of his heart. “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

In short, it is not about how good we sing, or our own preferences of how we think worship should look. It’s not even about what we do when we gather on Sunday mornings. These all parts of worship, but we must challenge are ourselves to a deeper meaning of worship and like David, it starts with the heart. Chaplain Juan Mendez is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 1-3

Think About This: You are infinitely dear to the Father, unspeakably precious to Him. You are never, not for one second, alone. Norman F. Dowty

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

Serving God in the Mundane

Welcome to a new week of Freedom Fighter blogs. We love sharing with you and trust this ministry is an encouragement to you. If so, we’d love to hear from you. You can write me at bwelte@americaskeswick.org

I have been reading through the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles the past several weeks, and I must confess to you, I usually skip over the genealogies!  But for some reason, I decided to plow through them.

What blew me away was how many times there were a brief description attached to a name listed. It became apparent to me that some of these men served God even in the midst of the mundane. Some were listed by name, but some – well they were listed by what they did:

“And their kinsmen were obligated to come in every seven days, and in turn, to be with these, for the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levities were entrusted to be over the chambers and the house of God. And they lodged around the house of God, for on them lay the duty of watching, and they had charge of opening it (the house of God) every morning.

Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out.

Others of them were appointed over the furniture and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, the spices.” 1 Chronicles 9:27-30

A guy named Mattithia, was entrusted to make the flat cakes 1 Chronicles 9:31

Some of them were responsible to for the showbread, “to prepare it every Sabbath.” 1 Chronicles 9:32

Then there were the singers – “they were on duty day and night.” 1 Chronicles 9:33

If you ask me, directing the choir, leading the drama team, singing in the praise team, or a whole host of jobs seem to be much more fun and fulfilling.

But God who is into minutia and goes into great detail, inspires the writer of these the Old Testament books to put the DVD on pause in a boring list of genealogies, and gives honorable mention to some men who faithfully are serving God in the midst of the mundane.

Some of you may be right there. You think no one notices the little things that need to be done but are not necessarily the things that everyone even takes notice of.

Oswald Chambers said, “Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow aspects of life are not ordained by God; they are ordained by Him equally as much as the profound.”

Eugene Peterson paraphrase my life verse this way: With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

If you are serving the Lord in the mundane be encouraged today. We all need you! And more importantly, God is honored in your service to Him. – Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick.

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 23-24

Think About This: The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. – Jimmy Johnson – American Football Coach, Player, Executive and Broadcaster

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. Psalm 37:25

 

What Does God Want from Me?

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8: 9)

There are a few questions about tithing that seem to continually seek an answer. The most common question is: “How much does God expect me to give?” This question then branches off into several side issues: “Is ten percent a goal or a starting point?” or “Do I tithe on gross income or net income?” The New Testament never gives a direct answer to any of these questions but a careful study will open our hearts to principles that should settle these questions in our minds.

In 2 Corinthians 8: 9 Paul tells us that Jesus was rich, but for [our sake] He became poor, that through His poverty we might become rich. Not only did we become rich through Jesus, but we gained equality with Him in God’s eyes. Since Jesus was willing to give all He had for us, we need to follow His example and give all we have for Him to use as He wills. This is not limited to finances but includes our time, talents and possessions as well.

How much we give is not as important to God as the attitude with which we give. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9: 7 ESV). The churches of Macedonia were poor but they found great joy in giving. Paul says: For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints (2 Corinthians 8: 3-4 ESV).

Giving is more than meeting needs; it is an indication of where our heart is. God blesses those who give with a willing and cheerful heart. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9: 11-12 ESV). The joy of our salvation and the gratefulness we have toward Jesus in recognition of all He has done for us is demonstrated in the way we reach out to help others in their need. Allen E. Beltle is CFO at America’s Keswick and is a great encourager. You can write to Allen at abelte@americaskeswick.org

Keswick, America’s  (2012-12-13). Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 10775-10799).  . Kindle Edition.

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 17-18

Think About This: Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone – deep, non-hypocritical integrity. Charles Swindoll

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Evaluating Your Spiritual Growth

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

 

The LORD has his way with us all the time and he knows exactly what we need when we need it.  This has been my experience over the past two weeks. Our pastor has been teaching us from the letter of 1 John and the series is titled, “Authentic”.  Being a real Christian.  The series has been a real blessing to me because I have been going through a number of trials lately and the Word of God just keeps reassuring me that I am right where God wants me to be.

So, the message yesterday came from the passage above and the point that hit me the most is that our spiritual growth always needs to be evaluated.  I love the fact that John had in the verses above these verses, spoken to little children, young men and fathers.  This is spiritual growth and the stages that we go through as believers.  No matter which stage we are in growth can be evaluated.  Let’s look at the things that John shows us in how to evaluate our growth.

1. Control – what is controlling you?  Who is controlling you is the better question?  Another question here would be, ‘does your love and affection for the world control us?  This is when there is something or someone in the world that has our hooks in us and we put God second.
2. Compromise – This is wanting your cake and eat it too.  Or, even better yet, this is when you have one foot in the world, and one foot in heaven.  How about asking yourself this, “what conviction do you no longer hold to that you once held to”?  We give up our convictions when we begin to compromise.
3. Cravings – John is specifically speaking about sexual sin here, but we need to discuss any and all unchecked passions or desires that take us away from the LORD.  We usually call these things needs but they are nothing more than wants.
4. Coveting – Wanting that which someone else has.  I have to have it, I will work for it, and I will not be satisfied until I get it.  You know what, when I get IT, it usually does not have the payoff that I thought it would.
5. Conceit – Pride is the # 1 reason for broken relationships.  Asked yourself here, who in my life do I have a broken relationship with?  After you have defined the “who” then asked yourself, “what can or do I need to do in order to make this relationship whole.
6. Commitment – Verse 17, John says, that TRUE LOVE = commitment.  This is where we make the commitment to inspect our love for the LORD and our faith in the Lord.

So, how about your spiritual growth, are you moving towards God or away from him?  Spiritual growth is not a easy thing.  It is hard to look at ourselves, but if we do it with the help of the LORD, he is not condemning us, no, he is looking for us to repent, confess and move closer to him.  Have a great week.  I love you and hope these thoughts have been helpful to you as they are to me.  He is still working on me, I not all that I am supposed to be, but I am grateful that I am nowhere near what I used to be. – Doug Barger is the Director of Men’s Ministry at Bethesda Mission and is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger. You can write to Doug at dbarger2030@comcast.net

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 14-16

Think About This: Adversity is always unexpected and unwelcomed. It is an intruder and a thief, and yet in the hands of God, adversity becomes the means through which His supernatural power is demonstrated. Charles Stanley

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

The Fruit and The Vine = SHALOM

“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.” John 14:27 (NKJV)

This may sound a little like my fellow Freedom Fighter writer Makala Doulos but here goes… Oh Beloved how sweet the peace of Jesus!! It is not enough that His peace brings comfort into our downtrodden lives but this SHALOM is no less than the salvation of the kingdom of YHVH. (okay, back to Chris)And just so you understand this, when your life is saturated with Scripture, you will experience the peace of Christ. It is worth noting, however, that the world’s notion of “peace” seems to be an absence of war while the religious (one world religion?) notion of “peace” is blessing and unity. And as for me there was a saying back in the 80’s that went like this “Peace sells…but who’s buying?!” So whatever those notion’s be to you, Oh Beloved how sweet the peace of Jesus!! Amen?

I wonder that if before Jesus was about to leave the world He took time to prayerfully make his will. We all know that His soul he committed to his Father; maybe His body He bequeathed to Joseph; whether we like it or not His clothes fell to the Roman soldiers; His mother He left to the care of John: but what should He leave to His poor disciples that had left all for Him? We also all know that as far as silver and gold goes He had none; but He left them that which was infinitely better, His peace. “Peace I leave with you”, as a dying father leaves portions to his children; and this is a worthy portion. Not only did he give them a title to it, but put them in possession of it.

Jesus exclaims, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” In a very Deuteronomical way (31:8?) Jesus promises His disciples peace, but not just any peace. Jesus offers His very own peace. The phrase, “Do not let your heart be troubled” takes us back to John 14:1a. But Jesus now adds the phrase: “neither let it be afraid,” because He is about to depart and His disciples are becoming increasingly anxious. As a result, they desperately need the peace He offers. But they aren’t alone in this equation are they? I believe that ALL of us, who call ourselves disciples are just as much in need, aren’t we?

I am so blown away when I think about how much at peace Jesus was during so many different situations that He was in. When He turned the money changers tables over in the Temple He may have been angry but still kept the main thing the main thing. When they brought the woman caught in adultery He was so even keeled. So many times the Pharisees challenged His authority as the Master Teacher and yet never strayed away once into fits of uncertainty with what He was teaching. When I think of the SHALOM of Jesus and what it brings me in my everyday dealings with people it gives me strength. I feel as if something has been placed in my arsenal that goes along with my Godly armor.

So Christ’s peace adds something to life rather than subtracts something. We are all so use to thinking of peace as the absence of conflict, or maybe the absence of stress, or even the absence of worry. However, the SHALOM of Jesus really is the absence of distress but it also includes the presence of blessing. In fact, maybe we could go so far as to say that the absence of distress is the result of God’s blessing? Hmm.  Jesus is still offering a peace that gives us a sense of well-being, security and right living in our everyday lives. What is your situation today? Whatever it is, if you have the Holy Spirit and the fruits of it’s presence you can have peace in the midst of it because He lives within you. So don’t allow any anxiety, worry, or fear to rob you of Christ’s peace. Amen? – Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Luke 12-13

Think About This: “When all you desire is God’s glory and His will, you will know peace deep as an ocean. Nothing can disturb that peace except holding back a part of your heart in fear.”—Fenelon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57