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Peace on Earth-2
How did He do it? Where is it? The prophets declared it, the angels pronounced it and Christ, himself admits it. So where is it? Where is the peace He brought 200 years ago?
One way Christ opens the door for peace is with His Father. He offers us peace with God. Romans 8:7 says, “The sinful mind is at war with God. It does not obey God’s law. It can’t.” Some of us have still not embraced the fact that our rebelious natures aggressively oppose God and His laws. Paul also states in Romans that “the wages of sin are death but that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Ro 8:23).
Christ came to bring peace in our world by reestablishing our relationship with the creator of this world.
Once that happens Christ calls us to live in peace with one another (Ro 12:18). Christ destroys the walls of hostility and seperation between us. He put our hatred to death on that cross (Eph 2:14-18). Christ makes peacce possible with one another.
The third way Christ brings the potential of peace is “peace within.” After I am living in right relationship with the creator and his creation I am fully free to live in a way that manifests the Kingdom of God, here on earth, as it is in heaven.
Jesus makes it possible for us to live in such a way that people see glimpses of the kingdom of heaven. We are allowed the joy of working once again with God, under His command, as subjects of His realm. And when we do that our hearts find peace like it was meant to be.
When those angels sang “peace on earth” they knew what they were saying. Peace has arrived. Many have not seen or heard. Only those who have seen it and experienced it can share it.
PEACE ON EARTH?
Where is it? Where is this peace the Angels proclaimed in Luke chapter two? And the Prophet predicted in Isaiah chapter 9? I can’t ignore the irony of that proclamation with the fact that I have been separated from my family for a year on account of war. As a matter of fact I can’t think of one major continent where wars and rumors of wars are not on the cover of the newspapers.
In Jesus day and age, the most powerful man on the planet declared peace. The Roman Emporer declared “The Peace of Rome” to everything under his vast and all encompassing control. But even then people noticed the limits of such a proclamation. One man, Epictitus, a Roman philosopher of the first century, wrote in response to the Emperor’s proclamation…
“While the emperor may declare peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give us peace from our passions, or peace from loneliness and grief. He does not give peace from greed and envy. He cannot give peace of heart, inwardly, which is what man yearns for more than even outward peace”.
It has not gotten better over time. In our day and age it is perhaps even more confusing, the search for peace seems to have intensified.
Today, peace is pedaled on every corner in the market place. Insurance companies sell peace of mind, mattress companies pitch a peaceful nights rest. Makers of burglar alarms promise you a peaceful home. Therapists want to help you discover it and pharmacologists claim to have manufactured it in bottles.
In every place and in every time we can measure and mark the lack of peace that domiates the human story.
So my question, our question, the world’s question is, “How has this child brought peace on earth?” How would you answer that to your friends and family who do not know?
The world is becoming increasingly cynical toward us, Our Lord, and our faith. Can you give an answer for the hope at is in you? What do the scriptures reveal about this precious gift of peace brought to us by our Savior?
You think about that with me…I’ll continue this in the next blog 
Walking In His Light
There is a common expression used in the US military these days and it is, “We Own The Night.” The United States Army deployed night vision goggles in mass quantities at the beginning of this war. Many times it gave us the advantage we needed in our current theatre of operations. Most of the time insurgents or terrorists do not possess good night-fighting equipment. Foolishly they have tested us when the sun went down and discovered a deadly truth. In our world those walking in darkness cannot compete with those walking in the light. Spiritual warfare is a lot like fighting at night. Those with the ability to see the spiritual battlefield clearly can locate and defeat the enemy of our souls. Those of us who do not possess good spiritual vision, light to walk in, often stumble around in the dark and present themselves as easy targets for the enemy. John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 9:4-6, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 1:9, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. Are you walking in the light? By faith? Trusting in Christ? 
Advent Hope
What do you anticipate? When is the last time you longed for something? Many, Many times in the Bible God’s people found themselves in a situation that made them long for deliverance from their situation. Many times God’s people are portrayed as calling out to Him, seeking him…longing, waiting, hoping. The first topic, the first focus of the Advent season is hope. We celebrated it this last Sunday. It is always the Sunday preceding Thanksgiving. And so we lit a candle of hope. What do we hope for? Why in all of Christendom have we lit this candle for all these years? What do you hope for? Is it presents? A certain present? A little something to make the journey here a little better, a little sweater, a little neater? The Scriptures that we use as a guide for our lives indicate over and over again that hope and expectation are a part of our journey. Hope is not a concept that we now let go of because Christ has come. We are to be a people filled with hope. Hope because He is coming again. Things are not as they should be. This world is not our home. As we enter this Holiday season we want to search out hearts to see if we are a people who reflect this hope. If we have lost hope, if we have stopped looking forward, Why? Worldliness, a fixation on this age, material possessions, money and joy here in the present may be one reason your life is no longer characterized by hope. We must remember It is foolishness to die holding onto what you cannot keep in exchange for what you cannot loose. Another reason is sin, guilt and shame. Maybe some of us do not long to see our coming King because we are afraid. We know from the scriptures that there is nothing He does not know. If we have stooped to hiding in the shadows we have begun to fear the brilliance of His light. It is our admonition that you strike the match and light the candle of hope in your life and world. Let the world see His forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration in your life. Let them see you once again long and look forward to the return of your King. Let this Advent Season and reflection be a time of renewing the hope that needs to be present in the hearts of His people.
Lips and Lives
Read Romans 10:1-13
It is easy to demonstrate that actions speak louder than words. We speak volumes about what we believe and who we are through our actions. Even though this is true, “confession with the mouth” (vs 9) must find its place in the life of a true Christian.
We can’t lose God-given opportunities to speak a word that will allow our command, and subordinates a chance to hear and see the difference God has made in our lives.
Failure to “confess Christ” is bound to result in stinted and stagnant life. The Christ-life is one that is described as the abundant life.
What we do and what we say must agree. Do you remember when Jesus was described as being “powerful in word and deed” (Luke 24:19); we are encouraged to be the same so that He receives the glory (Colossians 3:17). See also 1 Peter 2:15. Live the effects and preach the cause.
One more verse…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
Constantly Clarifying the Mission
This was part of my devotion on Halloween morning. It was very appropriate and I wanted to share it. The greater part of it comes from “Experiencing God: Day-by-Day” (devotional).
Colossians 2:15 “ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
As Christians we are not called to defeat Satan. God has already done that in Christ. It is not our position to “bind” Satan. Jesus has already set limits on the extent and duration of Satan’s freedom. Satan, “our ancient foe”, was decisively and completely defeated by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and in his resurrection. With regard to Satan, our assignment is to trust Christ for the victory that He achieved and daily resist Satan with the truth of his defeat, as Jesus did.
Satan is the Father of Lies and a master deceiver (John 8;44). If he can convince you that God has not defeated him, then you will not experience Jesus victory. You will find yourself fighting battles that Christ has already won. You will fear Satan, though he has already been utterly and humiliatingly defeated. Your responsibility is to resist Satan and He will flea from you (James 4:7). When you resist him, you are acknowledging that Jesus has defeated him and given you victory over his influence. God has provided you with spiritual armor that is more than sufficient to with stand any assault by Satan (Eph 6:10-20).
Christians can become preoccupied with battling Satan. This deceives them to invest their time and energy attempting to do something that Christ has already done for them. If Satan can divert you to wage a warfare that has already ended in surrender, he will have illuminated your effectiveness where God wants you. Fearing Satan is fearing a prisoner of war. You have no need or calling to defeat Satan; you need only to apply Christ’s victory in every area of your life and to live the victorious Christian life. As you go about sharing the gospel message with others, Satan and his forces face the reality of their defeat in each life that is claimed by the kingdom of God (Luke 10:17-20).
Master Plan: Future Guidance
“Blessed is the one who reads the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Rev 1:3).
Most military operations require extensive planning. Up at the top there are CONPLANS (concept plan) which contains the commander’s strategy and other information necessary to complete the mission. This plan speaks to some future time but does not specify the exact date and time.
The book of Revelations, in many respects, is God’s plan for future operations. In it we do not get all the details but it does sketch the concept and information necessary for his army to be ready when the plan is actually executed.
This verse provides excellent counsel and guidance for every soldier. In essence, it says, “You will be blessed if you read and obey what this plan says. Don’t fool around. The plan will become reality soon.”
So we don’t have to fear the future. God has it all mapped out and under control. And in time He will execute it. Our supreme commander with come in glory and will lead us on into victory. We need to know what business he has asked to be about in the mean time. We need to ready for his return.
Do you know your commanders intent? Do you have a copy of his orders?
Be ready. Follow His guidance!
Moral Courage
Moral Courage The fact that the Christian life is hard, seldom witnessed and beautiful to behold indicates it is worthwhile. The standard for the Christian life is intimidating to everyday people. One of the most brilliant examples of a human life is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Some of the things that attract me to him are moral courage, and physical bravery. John 2:13-25 shows his moral courage. He found men engaged in changing money in a part of the Temple where they should not have been. They were there with the support of Annas, the High Priest. There is evidence that they were charging inflated prices for the animal sacrifices, and making excess profit in exchanging money for the temple money with which the sacrifices had to be bought. In any case, they were desecrating His Father’s House, and so our Lord acted as in verses 15 and 16, not caring in the least what the people would think or paying the slightest heed to the risk he ran of being assaulted. Jesus Christ was completely unbound by the customs and public opinion of the day. We too require moral courage if we are not to be afraid of public opinion. Many people wish they had this quality, but a “wish-bone” can never take the place of a backbone. The service of God is for the brave and the bold; any fool can serve the devil. John 2:13-25
The blog below is not written recently. I am posting it now only after I have talked with family. The family and friends of the soldiers mentioned have been properly notified. Security prevents me from giving details about where, when, what, etc, etc. I want to share it from a very personal perspective. Sometimes the reality of where I am eludes me. I needed to capture it that night
