Actual Peace

‎Wednesday, ‎July ‎28, ‎2021

Good Morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.—1 Thessalonians 5:14

Memory of the month:  Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be  satisfied.

Today's reading: PSALM 46-48 ACTS 28

Actual Peace

There is a statement in Acts 9 that reads: "31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

The new church-the first new testament church-the church that was persecuted 'enjoyed peace'. This was the same church that would eventually see all of the original apostles die because of their faith. They enjoyed peace?

How so?

They enjoyed peaceful hearts. The world might have raged around them and chased them down but they enjoyed peace.

They continued in 'the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit'. They feared being without God more than being with man.

What is the difference in new testament believers and in old testament members of the Jewish faith? There were only some who had peace in the old Jewish faith. How can we say that?

They were to live by the law which no one could follow.

Romans 3:20 ►Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

The old testament talks about a few of the folks whom God deemed righteous. Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness, Genesis 15:6. In Job 1:8, God asks, "Have you seen my servant Job?"

Peace with God was known in old testament times but it came only from strong faith.

Following a list of rules or laws to find peace is a dead-end. Peace is a state of heart-not a state of accomplishment-of being-not doing.

Individual peace can not be accomplished by actions or good deeds. Any feeling from these can never be more than temporary.

The new testament church was on fire with movement of The Holy Spirit and God's love. They still 'feared God' in that they were consciously aware of God's awesome power but now that awesome power, The Holy Spirit, moved them to do awesome things. One of the most awesome things was the fact that as they were under fire from all directions, they were at peace within.

Have we missed something? Has the power of God diminished in the last 2000 years? Well then, why is peace so shallow for so many believers?

Are we living in the fear of God? Are we aware of His infinite power inside us all the time? Is the Holy Spirit actually comforting us because we love paying attention to Him-because we love focusing on Him?

How foreign does all this sound to us? Could this be the reason peace is foreign...?

Peace is possible. Peace is probable because Peace is promised. He is our God of peace.

Jesus said, "My peace I give to you-not as the world gives-I give you my peace so don't be troubled or afraid"-

Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Give me the desire to focus on You and Your infinite power and love the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Forgive my weak resolve.

In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord,

Amen