Praise the Lord for this wonderful Wednesday morning. We will gather for
our Wednesday Evening fellowship and study at 6:00 PM. There will be
special time of sharing the evening meal that has been prepared with much love
followed by Bible study. They have been forecasting that it will be
getting much warmer in a few days in our region. Rejoice and be glad.
I
recently read of a couple who retired in 1980. They were alarmed by the
threat of nuclear war, so they undertook a serious study of all the countries
of the world which would be least likely to experience war. They wanted
to be sure they spent their last years in peace and security. They
studied and traveled all over the world, talking to people and garnering as
much information as they could. Finally they found the place which seemed
the most out of the way spot where they could live in peace. The
Christmas of 1981, they sent their pastor a card from their new home — in the
Falkland Islands. As you may know, these small islands off the coast of
Argentina, which seemed like paradise, were turned into a war zone early in
1982. Argentina’s then military government decided to invade the islands and
were defeated by Great Britain in the conflict now recorded in history books as
the Falkland War. The war lasted 72 days and claimed nearly 1000 casualties.
So much for the couple finding peace in the Falkland Islands.
Where is peace? One thing is for sure is that peace is not in the places where we think it is. Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). On the first Christmas day, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14). What did it all mean? Such a commotion was made over such a small child born in an obscure village to humble parents. Such a powerful promise had been given about one who appeared so powerless. He would never sit on a throne or lead an army. He did not begin a bureaucracy or leave behind an impressive and well-organized group of followers. In fact, history knows very little about the lives of most of his apostles. To the dismay of many, he did not advocate the overthrow of the government which held Israel in captivity. He came bringing peace of another kind and another dimension. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
In a culture which is trying to medicate it’s way to peace, the message of Jesus has never been more relevant, but the peace Christ gives does not come in the ways that we might think. It comes in unexpected ways — ways that for many seem weak and unacceptable. We may continue to have conflict on the outside, over which we do not have control, but peace will come to us in and through Him who is the Prince of Peace..
Where is peace? One thing is for sure is that peace is not in the places where we think it is. Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). On the first Christmas day, “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14). What did it all mean? Such a commotion was made over such a small child born in an obscure village to humble parents. Such a powerful promise had been given about one who appeared so powerless. He would never sit on a throne or lead an army. He did not begin a bureaucracy or leave behind an impressive and well-organized group of followers. In fact, history knows very little about the lives of most of his apostles. To the dismay of many, he did not advocate the overthrow of the government which held Israel in captivity. He came bringing peace of another kind and another dimension. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
In a culture which is trying to medicate it’s way to peace, the message of Jesus has never been more relevant, but the peace Christ gives does not come in the ways that we might think. It comes in unexpected ways — ways that for many seem weak and unacceptable. We may continue to have conflict on the outside, over which we do not have control, but peace will come to us in and through Him who is the Prince of Peace..
In Christ,
Brown
No virus found in this message.
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