1022AFC052810
Today’s Bible verse in John 16:33. I asked a long-time MBN member to make the choice for today’s message, and I’m glad it turned out to be about a subject presented often in the Aloha Friday Cards: Peace. Here is the text:
NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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; I have overcome the world.
NAB “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
What is the origin of this Peace? In this passage the peace that overcomes the tribulations we have in the world and the struggles we have with the world is found in Christ and with Christ. In Christ who is love. With Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Christ through whom all things (including us) were made. With Christ who completes our joy. The word most used in the New Testament for peace is ειρήνη – eirene {i-ray’-nay}. It is the word which became the name Irene. The source of the Peace we need is Christ. Wherever there is Peace, Christ brings it. Wherever Peace is not, Christ has still conquered whatever prevents it from being discernible. “[Peace] is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. It is the blessed state of devout and upright (virtuous) women and men [during their Christ-centered life] and after death. (Paraphrase of Strong’s Note 1515) John 14:27 “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, nor let it be fearful.” The world expects payment or repayment for its “gifts.” Christ does not. He has commanded Peace to be with us, within us, between us, around us, and for us. Peace comes with Him, within Him, around Him, and for all time.
How is this Peace given to us? John 20:19 It was the evening of the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you.” It comes to us regardless of our fears, regardless of what the World brings against us, and it finds us even when we hide. It is a gift, a grace, an unmerited favor from the heart of Christ to our hearts. The word we find used in the New Testament for Grace is χαρις charis {khar’-ece} “It is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech, good will, loving-kindness, and the Gift of Salvation. It speaks of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns us to Christ; how He keeps, strengthens, increases us in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles us to exercise of Christian virtues.” (Paraphrase from Strong’s Notes 5485). So this gift of Peace, the Peace which originates in and belongs to Christ, is given to us to become our peace so that our joy can be complete.
What is the location of this Peace? Col 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” So, the Peace of Christ comes from His heart and dwells in our Heart. Just as we are created in the image of God as Spirit, we are re-created in the heart of Christ as Peace. We become the peace of Christ by living His life in us. 2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – Live in peace … Possess peace, be at peace, make peace, cultivate peace, keep peace, be held in peace, seek and ensure harmony, be peace. This Greek verb, eireneuo {i-rane-yoo’-o}, is in present tense, active voice, imperative mood. It is saying: Peace: Do it now.
What is the Effect of this Peace? John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” What a joy it is to know Peace! How wonderful it is to know the World cannot overcome us! (I am reminded to quote this to you again: “Everything turns out good in the end. If it’s not good yet, it’s not the end yet!”) If we have Peace and Joy, how can we keep from rejoicing? PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8 (NAB) 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Think of friends praying in the moonlight for you.
Think of friends, praying in the moonlight for you. That is a Gift of Peace from Jesus to you. Honor the Giver by accepting the gift and then sharing it with anyone and everyone.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.
Pray for KT that Satan will leave him alone so he can regain Peace. Pray for MN & DN that the crisis they are dealing with will be a gift of Peace and Love. Unite your prayers with the prayers of RS that his servant-leadership will open the way for the Spirit. Pray for FP that Jesus will be his teacher in all things. Remember to pray for JC and JC-B for healing of their tumors. Pray for DP’s children – natural and spiritually-adopted – that they will seek and accept the gifts of Peace and Joy. Pray for CID and the whole family – indeed for all families suffering in the world-wide economic meltdown – for economic stability and a home to share together, success for the children, health for all, wisdom and courage and strength for the tasks at hand, and most of all the Hope that is always in the company of Peace, Joy, and Love.
Peace be with you, Beloved. I always love you.
chick
1022AFC052810
Today’s Bible verse in John 16:33. I asked a long-time MBN member to make the choice for today’s message, and I’m glad it turned out to be about a subject presented often in the Aloha Friday Cards: Peace. Here is the text:
NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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; I have overcome the world.
NAB “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
What is the origin of this Peace? In this passage the peace that overcomes the tribulations we have in the world and the struggles we have with the world is found in Christ and with Christ. In Christ who is love. With Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Christ through whom all things (including us) were made. With Christ who completes our joy. The word most used in the New Testament for peace is ειρήνη – eirene {i-ray’-nay}. It is the word which became the name Irene. The source of the Peace we need is Christ. Wherever there is Peace, Christ brings it. Wherever Peace is not, Christ has still conquered whatever prevents it from being discernible. “[Peace] is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. It is the blessed state of devout and upright (virtuous) women and men [during their Christ-centered life] and after death. (Paraphrase of Strong’s Note 1515) John 14:27 “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, nor let it be fearful.” The world expects payment or repayment for its “gifts.” Christ does not. He has commanded Peace to be with us, within us, between us, around us, and for us. Peace comes with Him, within Him, around Him, and for all time.
How is this Peace given to us? John 20:19 It was the evening of the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “Peace be with you.” It comes to us regardless of our fears, regardless of what the World brings against us, and it finds us even when we hide. It is a gift, a grace, an unmerited favor from the heart of Christ to our hearts. The word we find used in the New Testament for Grace is χαρις charis {khar’-ece} “It is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech, good will, loving-kindness, and the Gift of Salvation. It speaks of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns us to Christ; how He keeps, strengthens, increases us in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles us to exercise of Christian virtues.” (Paraphrase from Strong’s Notes 5485). So this gift of Peace, the Peace which originates in and belongs to Christ, is given to us to become our peace so that our joy can be complete.
What is the location of this Peace? Col 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” So, the Peace of Christ comes from His heart and dwells in our Heart. Just as we are created in the image of God as Spirit, we are re-created in the heart of Christ as Peace. We become the peace of Christ by living His life in us. 2nd Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – Live in peace … Possess peace, be at peace, make peace, cultivate peace, keep peace, be held in peace, seek and ensure harmony, be peace. This Greek verb, eireneuo {i-rane-yoo’-o}, is in present tense, active voice, imperative mood. It is saying: Peace: Do it now.
What is the Effect of this Peace? John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” What a joy it is to know Peace! How wonderful it is to know the World cannot overcome us! (I am reminded to quote this to you again: “Everything turns out good in the end. If it’s not good yet, it’s not the end yet!”) If we have Peace and Joy, how can we keep from rejoicing? PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8 (NAB) 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Think of friends praying in the moonlight for you.
Think of friends, praying in the moonlight for you. That is a Gift of Peace from Jesus to you. Honor the Giver by accepting the gift and then sharing it with anyone and everyone.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.
Pray for KT that Satan will leave him alone so he can regain Peace. Pray for MN & DN that the crisis they are dealing with will be a gift of Peace and Love. Unite your prayers with the prayers of RS that his servant-leadership will open the way for the Spirit. Pray for FP that Jesus will be his teacher in all things. Remember to pray for JC and JC-B for healing of their tumors. Pray for DP’s children – natural and spiritually-adopted – that they will seek and accept the gifts of Peace and Joy. Pray for CID and the whole family – indeed for all families suffering in the world-wide economic meltdown – for economic stability and a home to share together, success for the children, health for all, wisdom and courage and strength for the tasks at hand, and most of all the Hope that is always in the company of Peace, Joy, and Love.
Peace be with you, Beloved. I always love you.
chick
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
