PEACE DEFINED
Tuesday – January 21, 2020, Tevet 24, 5780
Greetings dear and precious saints of God and welcome back to this encouraging, instructive, and course correcting Bible Study of the Book of John. We choose, not God, to succeed or fail, what will we choose? If you don’t believe that you have not been following these teachings or studying the Bible. I realize you may think that is a little rough but let me tell you that I have had it with defeat in my own life and in the lives of the dear people around me. The body of Christ needs to step to the plate and actually do what the Bible says! Please take time to read the blessing at the end, I have updated it. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to let us know you are with us and to spread the gospel. The featured picture today is of a beautiful winter scene.
I also want to take a moment to invite you to partner with us financially whether it be to the parent ministry (Eastern Gate Ministries International, Inc.), the arm called Sabbatical Moments, or the Conference arm. You designate where you want the funds to go according to what God spoke to you. If you are aware of a pastor that is discouraged please let us know. Perhaps the Lord will lead us to reach out to that pastor and spouse as Sabbatical Moments. If you have a calling, a passion, for effective first-class conferences for women, men, or both please contact us. Donna is in the process of planning a first-class, second to none, Women’s Conference for May 30, 2020 at New Beginnings Church of God in Waterville, Maine. Now let’s turn our attention to our study by first reading aloud the primary Bible text.
John 14:25-28 (KJV)
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 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.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
As you will recall we are talking about peace. Jesus tells the disciples present that day and us today that He was leaving them and us peace, the very same peace that He possessed would be ours. He tells us that the peace He is giving us is not the peace the world offers. Any peace that we think can be attained in the world is a lie, a deception, an illusion. In the world peace is only maintained by strength and constant vigilance. In the Kingdom of God in the earth our peace is only maintained by strength and constant vigilance. We have demonic, spiritual enemies (not flesh and blood), and we must sober and vigilant in Him.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Let me mention that what I am talking about is an apparent contradiction but it is not, our strength is in knowing the Truth, not the traditions of men or the doctrines of devils. Our thought life is the key to successful spiritual warfare and our peace. We can have peace in our lives while in constant warfare with our spiritual enemies. We must always respond or take offensive action regarding our spiritual adversary in full confidence of who we are in Christ Jesus. Enter the fight knowing (knowledge of and unwavering faith in) knowing that you are already the victor due to the victory Jesus obtained with His Crucifixion and Resurrection. We cannot enter this fight with faulty information, or wavering faith, it must be the Truth and we take captive and cast down the deceptions of the devil(s).
Yesterday I presented the definitions for the word peace in our text and we will discuss that lots more. I also noted that this word peace in the Greek is feminine in gender however it is masculine in the Hebrew. The feminine gender in the New Testament word peace means that given the right seed (Word of God) it is productive, produces good. The reason for this is that we are born again and the Old Testament saints were not. This is vital because the fruit of the spirit were not operative in them for these are in the spirit man and he was dead until Christ dealt with the sin problem. Let’s take just a moment to look at the fruit of the spirit as we wind down for today.
Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Thinking for a moment in the natural, fruit on a tree is the useful product of the tree. If we think of ourselves as trees, the fruit of our born-again spirit are the nine fruits listed in the Galatians passage. The tree has the potential to produce fruit but it must be alive to do so and it must have the right conditions otherwise it does not produce fruit or the fruit is poor in quality. Same thing in the spiritual realm. How is the fruit of peace useful to ourselves and others? Let’s review the definitions again; first is to be joined. Joined with what or who? With God of course, and in Him there is no limit to what can be accomplished in us and through us. The second is prosperity. Anyone knows you can do more and be a greater blessing to others, and the Kingdom of God if prosperous. Poverty of any kind is never of God. Third is to be one, one with Jesus and with the Father. It does not get any better than this. God has nothing but good plans for everyone and that flows through people, through us. Fourth is quietness which is a tranquil knowledge not just a feeling. Fifth is that we enter the rest or the provision of God and that is to flow not just in our life but to others as directed by the Holy Spirit. Finally, number six, is to set at one again and this is the Truth that we are once again one with our Father, with the whole of God. This and number one, to be joined, could be combined giving five aspects of peace which is the number of grace and glory. Can anyone say Hallelujah?
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus name! Quit asking God to bless you, you are already blessed, you have the Blessing, give Him something to do by the words of your mouth. Once you know the will of God, decree the thing (Job 22:28, Isaiah 45:11, Mark 11:23). (The Blessing is the Holy Spirit) We have left God way to long with nothing to do in our lives.
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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