My Peace I Give Unto You

There is much talk of peace these days. There is also much talk of war.

As the Armies of the world converge on Jerusalem - we hear of U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Pope, and the UN. There is much talk about support for the nation of Israel or lack of support for Israel, stand with Israel, stand with the Palestinians, Israel should be able to defend themselves, Israel is too heavy handed, what to do in Gaza, what about these Muslim extremist groups - ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Muslim Brotherhood. Then there's Russia, Vladimir Putin, Syria, Bashar al-Assad, Iran, Hassan Rouhani, Ali Khamenei, North Korea, Kim Jong-un, Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai. These are all names you have heard in the news. All of them attached to war in one way or another.

Just as Jesus said, there are wars and rumors of war.

Many people, maybe most people pay no mind to such things. These are things that happen in some other country far away and far removed. Clueless. They couldn't care less. They go about their daily lives, fiddling with their iPhones and X-boxes, watching World Cup soccer and fantasy football, they eat, they drink, they buy, they sell, they plant, they build. (Luke 17:27-28)

However, we are told to "watch" so that we may discern the signs of the times. As we observe our moral foundations being dismantled we can feel overwhelmed at times and mourn in our spirit. We see the greed and covetousness on Wall Street as well as Main Street; People putting stuff ahead of people. We see the idolatry of self and celebrity. We see sex promoted everywhere we look. We see the statistics on STDs and abortions. We see the glorification of homosexuality and their unrelenting agenda. We hear stories of gangs and drug cartels and the lack of security on our borders. We hear of racial tension and riots in Ferguson, MO. We see all these things and we're reminded of the blessings and cursings God promised in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 in accordance with our obedience to Him.

This country has been so richly blessed. We had it all. But we see the train wreck coming. We try to warn people and try to explain why from our Bibles. We get into conversations with people about the state of things and the eventual downfall of America if we don't change our ways and though we may find a sympathetic ear, it stops there. The conversation stops short of what to do about it. Oh, there may be some mention of 2Chron 7:14 and national prayer events but we know there is little chance of our leaders let alone our entire nation humbling themselves, and praying and seeking God's face and turning from our wicked ways that He might heal our land.

 I recently watched the movie, "America: Imagine the World Without Her" by Dinesh D'Souza. It is quite an interesting movie that discusses how history has been rewritten and reinterpreted to portray America as an imperialistic, evil empire that has gotten its way through force and exploitation. Though Mr. D'Souza did a good job of setting the record straight about how history really played out, he stopped abruptly short of a solution for our national decay. None was offered or even attempted.

Many see the destruction just ahead and cry out, "People better wake up! Wake up people!". Okay, I'm awake. Now what? They don't have a solution. They don't know what to do. The way of peace they know not. (Isa 59:8) They know not peace because they treat the symptoms of circumstance - the elements of conflict. They put laws in place to govern and monitor people's behavior in an attempt to control and protect. Under the guise of 'peace and safety' they lay the groundwork for sudden destruction. (1Th 5:3) They do not deal with the heart; the root cause. They cannot. Only God can do that.

But take heart my friends, we do know the way of peace. The answer is spiritual in nature. Jesus Christ gave us the formula for maintaining a sense of peace in John chapter 14. Though we may not be able to set the world on the right path to peace or even our nation, we can know peace on an individual personal basis. Not peace as the world thinks of peace but true peace, the peace of God within and trusting in Him for our deliverance even while in the midst of turmoil and trouble.

Turn to John chapter 14. After Jesus had washed their feet and after Judas Iscariot had departed to betray Him, Jesus prepared his disciples for what lie ahead; His crucifixion and their scattering. He tells them they must keep his commandments. Then, He tells them to keep his words, to call to mind the things he told them. He tells them of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send to lead them and guide them and help them recall all the things he said to them. 

John 14:23-26 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (24) He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (25) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. (26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, it shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

 Then he says -

John 14:27 (KJV) 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. 

 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. He was speaking of inner peace, calmness of spirit despite what is going on around us. Where did God tell us He would write His laws and His statutes? On the tablet of our hearts and in our minds. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2Tim 1:7)

Throughout the Psalms, King David wrote of his love for God's law, His words, and how he would meditate on them day and night. O, how love I thy law! It is ever with me; It is my meditation all the day in my thoughts. (Psa 119:97) We have a song we sing containing these very words. (Hymn #72) Though we may see moral decadence, or even death and destruction all around us, we are not to be overly concerned about these things. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isa 26:3) 

 God is on His throne. He is still in charge. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (Psa 91:10) Psalm 91 is a wonderful Psalm to read when you're feeling stressed. Instead of worrying and becoming disheartened, we are told to rejoice in the goodness of God. (Rom 8:28) To stay focused on the exceeding great and precious promises He made to us. (2Pet 1:4) To weary not in well doing (2Th 3:13; Gal 6:9) and to continue to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Mat 6:33)

Let's look at Philippians chapter 4. It can only be by focusing our minds, putting our attention on the things of God just like David did, that we can have true peace amidst the turmoil and chaos around us. Peace even when it doesn't make sense. 

Php 4:4-8 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [not worry] (5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

 That doesn't mean to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that there is no trouble in the world around us. Or to skip merrily through life clueless to the signs of the times signaling the end of the age. Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. It means to put our faith and trust in our God who loves us and wants what's best for us even while witnessing to those in pain and suffering all around us. 

John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; [Rejoice!] I have overcome the world. 

 God is our refuge and our strength. Put your trust in God. God will set things right. He will send His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ to straighten it all out. Christ will rule for a thousand years on this earth until God puts all things under his feet (1Cor 15:24-28). And we get to be there with him to help so trust in God. In His timing. He is faithful that promised. (Heb 10:23) He is faithful who called you and he will also do it. (1Th 5:24) Let the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. And nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:39)


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Knights of the Lord’s Table

I once had a friend of mine tell me of the training classes he had been attending to learn how to better defend himself and his loved ones with a knife and a gun. He said that with the breakdown he was witnessing in society he expected that his new found skills would be called into use as the downfall took place. Then he made a statement that has stuck with me ever since. He said, “What really appeals to me is that righteous warrior aspect where the use of force is justified, good fighting against evil, like knights fighting in the crusades.” 

He was evidently enamored by the romance of the days of yore we’ve read about in classic literature of noble knights, men of valor and virtue who slayed dragons and rescued damsels in distress with chivalry and honor. Legendary days when King Arthur ruled with his Knights of the Round Table in Camelot; Camelot, that 1,000 year reign of peace and safety in the kingdom idealized by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in his work, Idylls of the King.

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I’m sure the parallelism is not lost between the reign of our Lord and King during the 1,000 years of the millennium and this counterfeit earthly kingdom romanticized by the Arthurian legend of Camelot where knights worship and serve their king, offering to put their lives on the line for the cause of truth, justice and honor.

A noble endeavor provided you serve the right King. We do serve the right King; the King of kings! But we don’t have to take up training for war with conventional weapons in order to participate in the battle for truth, justice and honor. When we pledged our lives to our Lord, we entered the battlefield; the spiritual battlefield with much more at stake than just land and earthly resources. We fight in the war of all wars for the Kingdom of God and of His Christ. (Rev. 11:15)

Since we don’t entangle ourselves in the affairs of this life, (2Tim 2:3-4) as good knights and soldiers of Jesus Christ, where is our battle and who is our enemy? Whom might we encounter that would require that we fight for truth, justice and honor? And what are our weapons?

(Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

So, our battle is a spiritual one; a fight for the truth, (2Thes 2:10-12) for the hearts and minds of those blinded by the father of lies, (John 8:44) the god of this age (2Cor 4:4) who has deceived the whole world. (Rev 12:9)

2Cor 10:3-6  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (4)  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  (5)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  (6)  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

While there is no question that this applies to us in our own struggle to keep our own thoughts in check, I contend it also applies to our encounters with the belief systems of others. We must do what is within our ability to pull down false belief systems when it is proper to do so.

We are told to love our neighbor aren’t we? If we love them shouldn’t we do what we can to make the truth of the gospel of the Kingdom available to them, exposing their false beliefs, shining the light of God’s word in a dark place? We aren’t to just simply tolerate the darkness and the deeds that men do there but rather expose them and reprove them.

(Eph 5:11-13)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  (12)  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.  (13)  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

How do we do this? What are the weapons of a Knight of the Lord’s Table? Back to Ephesians 6:14. We won’t read this whole passage but just have it handy as we list the items that make up the whole armor of God.

• Belt of Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness [As we used to say, “Right makes might.”]
• Shoes of the preparation of the gospel, a lamp unto our feet
• Shield of Faith to protect us from the fiery darts of the enemy
• Helmet of Salvation – to know and know that we know, trusting in God, taking Him at His word
• Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God
• Prayer, our line of communication back to HQ to call for backup and air support
• Cloak of Zeal – (Isa 59:17)

Of all the items listed in the armor of God though, only one is a weapon, the sword of the spirit, the Word of God, and it is sharper than any two-edged sword.

Are we adept at wielding our sword? How do we deal with those we encounter who espouse counterfeit gospels, beliefs and doctrines? When we hear such things should we just ignore them or should we engage? Every fight need not be fought but there are times when those things should not go unchallenged. There are times when we must contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3) The dragon must be slain and the damsel must be rescued!

Each of us can do our part in preaching the gospel of the kingdom to every creature in all the world. (Mark 16:15; Matt 24:14, 28:19) As part of the body of Christ fitly framed together, (Eph 2:21) each with our own roles, (1Cor 12) each of us can do something to get the message out to the world, no matter how small.

There are easy steps we can take to get started. When we go to the doctor’s office or have our hair cut, we can leave behind a copy of the Good News magazine in the waiting area. We can post an article from the UCG website on Twitter or a video from Beyond Today on FaceBook. We can send it to a friend in email. We can distribute tri-fold pamphlets such as these, or write a blog or an article for the Virtual Christian Magazine.

The beginning of the millennium will be a time just after people have been through the most horrific ordeal beyond anything they could have imagined. They will be scared, distrustful, skeptical and in a state of shock, their belief systems shattered and confounded. We must be prepared as ministering spirits to console them on an individual basis to restore their faith and ensure them that they can safely place their trust in the new government entity out of Jerusalem, namely the Kingdom of God. It is through fighting the good fight now, (1Tim 6:12; 2Tim 4:7) that each of us hones our skills in preparation to serve and restore mankind in the millennium. It is also the actions we take now upon which our reward is based. (Rev 22:12)

To those who say, “But we have people at the home office for that. We have a paid ministry and a television program”, I say that as budgets continue to tighten and darkness falls on this nation and on this world, there may be no television program or home office. It will be up to each of us individually to let our lights so shine as to glorify the Father (Matt 5:16) and to get the message out. It's best we prepare now.

As we’re told in Amos 8:11, the famine of the word is coming and it will be up to those who have oil in their lamps (Matt 25:4) to show compassion on those who awaken to God’s truth and to take them in and nourish them until Christ returns.

The days of “pay and pray” are over! Do we really think we can take a Laodicean approach and just do nothing and merely wait for our Lord’s return? When he does return what will he find us so doing? Did we use the talent he gave us wisely or will we pathetically unfold the napkin to reveal to him the same raw undeveloped talent he gave us? (Luke 19:20) To whom much is given, much is required.  (Luke 12:48)

Have we become so richly blessed and in need of nothing that we have become lukewarm to spreading the gospel message? (Rev 3: 15-17) “I got mine! These people better wake up before it’s too late!” Well, many of them are awakening but to a watered down message of lawless grace instead of the real truth of God. When they do finally seek the truth, how do they find it if no one is there to lead them to it?

Rom 10:13-15  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  (15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

We can be that preacher, that knight in shining armor who rescues them from the dragon with the sword of our Lord. We don’t have to be ordained ministers to tell people about the truth of God, do we? Each and every one of us that is called to the truth is also called to tell others about it. Freely ye have received, freely give. (Matt 10:8)

As people become aware that they’ve been deceived and sold a pack of lies by this world, some will seek the truth, and call on God. And until He finally turns his back on this world, He will hear them. But who will be there to lead them to the real truth? Each of us has an approach that will appeal to some but not to all, so each of us must do our part and trust that God will lead them to us.

On however small a scale, we each must do what we can to fight the good fight of faith and having done all, to stand therefore. (Eph 6:13) And one day to hear those words we all long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”. (Matt 25:21) And to sit down at a table prepared before us in the presence of our enemies.

Psa 23:4-6  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  (5)  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  (6)  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Luke 22:29-30  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  (30)  That ye may eat and drink at my table [the Lord’s table] in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

… as good Knights of the Lord’s Table become kings and priests! (Rev 5:10)

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