Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
May 2022 be a year of peace for you, your family, your friends, and your enemies.
The term εἰρήνη/eiréné is used 92 times in the New Testament. Peace or εἰρήνη/eiréné in the original Greek…
Strong’s Concordance defines the word as: a state of national tranquility; exemption from the rage and havoc of war.
Peace between individuals, that is harmony, concord, security, safety, prosperity, felicity.
Of the Messiah’s peace; the way that leads to peace through salvation; of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot; the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.
Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
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Jewish people will use “peace” as a greeting or farewell to others. The term is “shalom” in the Hebrew. Shalom is used 237 times in the Old Testament.
Per Strong’s, shalom is defined as: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, contentment, friendship; of human relationships and with God especially in covenant relationship.
Psalm 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Peace is like a military guard. Peace crushes rebellions and it protects hearts and minds. Jesus is the answer, embodiment, and fulfillment of peace. In the end, peace wins.
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Having peace in your life & peace with others is the best feeling. You can’t have peace in you’re life if you are at odds with someone. Building others up, instead of tearing them down will bring peace. Why would we not want good for everyone?
Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace & mutual upbuilding.
Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
First, defining what is not Christian giving is necessary. Christian giving is not tithing. Tithing is the practice of giving 1/10 of one’s income for the support of the Levitical priesthood, tabernacle, and temple system under the law.
The Mosaic Law was given to the Jewish people and this was their guideline for moral living and civic law, as a nation with God as their “King”.If the Law was not upheld, punishment occurred according to the infraction.
These statutes are noted in the first 5 books of the Old Testament, which are also called the Torah (Hebrew for instruction).
This is defined in Numbers 18:21-32 and restated in Hebrews 7:5.
Hebrews 7:5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.
Under the law, tithing was required of produce and livestock, a currency of the day. Tithing is a statute under the Law.
Along side the tithing system, Israel also gave “freewill” offerings in addition to their required giving as a form of worship to God (Exodus 35:21, 29; 1 Chronicles 29:9, 2 Chronicles 35:8, Ezra 3:5, 8:28). This giving was based on “whose heart moved them” and “willingly”, rather than under compulsion of the Law.
Exodus 35:29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.
The Law, being given as a part of the Mosaic Covenant, was to be replaced by a coming “New Covenant” as promised by the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Therefore, the law is for a specific time period and a code of conduct which ended with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ instituted this “New Covenant” at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) prior to His death & resurrection.
Romans 10 clearly states the end of the Mosaic Covenant in Christ Jesus. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
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As Christians, we are not required to keep the Law, but rather apply the “Spirit” or the principleslaid forth by the Law.
Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Christian living is not a checklist of “dos & don’ts”. Nor isChristiangiving a specific amount according to a statute to follow. This is legalism.
Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.
Paul chides the Galatians for legalism.
Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us, for it is written, (Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree).
A reminder to us all, if you practice the Law, you shall live by the Law (Galatians 3:12). This is a serious standard. Do you really want to go there? Do you even want to try and live by the one standard of a tithe?
Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Translated another way, you break one, you break them all. This is reinforcedby James.
James 2:10, for whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
We are under grace and not under the Law.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be master of you, for you are not under the law, but under grace.
What is the standard of grace giving? Give as you see fit from the heart. Give in a cheerful manner and because you desire to do as such.
2 Corinthian 9:7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Romans makes it very clear. God is not finished with nation Israel. He makes this statement writing to members of the church in Rome. His writings included the idea of Israel’s election, Israel’s rejection, and Israel’s future restoration. Paul is in serious angst and agony regarding his fellow countrymen. He would go to Hell for Israel. God has not kicked Israel to the curb let alone replaced them with the church or any other group of people or nation.
Romans 9:3-4 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises…
The Apostle Paul is emphatic. There is NO way God has broken His promise to His people and nation, Israel.
The idea is consistent in the Old Testament and New Testament. God has not changed
His mind.
Romans 11:1-11:2 I say
then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an
Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected
His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with
God against Israel?
Malachi 3:6 “For I, the
Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
Romans 11:26 and so all
Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
Focus on the word “saved”. It is the Greek word σοζο/sozo. The word is defined as to save,
keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; one (from injury or peril);
to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make
well, heal, restore to health (Strong’s Concordance).
The tense of the verb is future. The verse is prophetic. Israel
will be spared and preserved in the future. At the time of the writing in the
first century, Israel had yet to be dispersed to the world let alone regathered
back to the land. The nation will not be destroyed.
Today in the early 21st century, Israel is back in the land and a nation as prophesied. Israel has resurrected as a nation. Ultimately, they will not reject their Messiah. A little detour with the Antichrist will come first. The statement below is becoming more of a reality as time passes. There are Jews who believe in Jesus and the number is growing. The world will ultimately receive blessing.
Romans 11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Genesis 25:23 And the
LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within
you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall
serve the younger.”
Romans 9:11-12 …though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad-in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of Him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
God chose Israel as His people. Romans 9:11-12 tells
us that God chose Jacob (Israel) over Esau in order that His purpose might
stand. It was His choice. He chose Israel not because they are better than
other nations; or not because they are larger or smaller. It was not because
they (Israel) are good. Israel did not earn their selection. It was His choice
and purpose.
Israel is not a perfect people and neither are any of us. They use their free will just like we do. And free will choices are not always for the greater good as God would see it. As human’s, we elevate our free will as equivalent or greater than God. Really??? Go look at the stars on a clear night and ponder.
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Over twenty times in the book of Genesis alone, God stated His covenant with the offspring of Abram is an eternal and everlasting promise. He made the claim to Abram (later Abraham), Isaac, Jacob (later Israel) and his descendants.
In the book Toward an Old Testament Theology, Walter Kaiser commented, “Sixty-nine times the writer of Deuteronomy repeated the pledge that Israel would one day ‘possess’ and ‘inherit’ the land promised to her.” (p. 124-5).
Genesis 32:28 Then he
said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven
with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
The verse above has proven to be prophetic for nation Israel.
The country struggled against Egypt and was held captive for 400 years. God delivered
His people out of slavery and bondage in Exodus.
God’s chosen people were taken captive by Tiglath-Pileser and
the Assyrian Empire. Nebuchadnezzar led the Babylonians and plundered Jerusalem.
Those who survived were taken back to Babylon. Israel was under Persian rule after
they conquered Babylon.
They were dispersed throughout the world in the first century
at the hands of the Roman Empire. They survived the Spanish Inquisition in the late
1400’s. Hitler attempted to exterminate the Jewish people during the middle of the
20th century in World War II.
Israel was reborn as a country in a day in 1948. The rebirth
of Israel in one day was prophesied in Isaiah
66:8-9.
Isaiah 66:8-9 “Who has
heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can
a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought
forth her sons.Shall I bring to the
point of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Or shall I who gives delivery
shut the womb?” says your God.
The same promise of Ezekiel 37 and the vision of the valley of dry bones was fulfilled. Israel is a nation again.
The fact Israel is a nation again defies history. Name one other country who disappeared for about 2,000 years and resurrected into being from the past.
Anyone experiencing depression, fear, anxiety, or condemnation right now? If so, the Holy Spirit has a Word for you.
“Fear not, for I
(am) with you; Be not dismayed, for I (am) your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” –
Isaiah 41:10
Now read it again and emphasize the pronoun “I” in the
command, “Be not dismayed, for I…am
your God”. Depression broke off of me after I read it that way because it
separated light from dark. It separated in my mind who God is from who the
enemy is and caused me to know that God is not the one making me afraid.
Here is the Scripture again with all the meaning The Holy
Spirit gave to me after I did more research in the Hebrew behind the words.
This is my version with revelation intact…
Do not be afraid, for I am right beside you and in you; Do
not look away from me or steadily gaze at that thing in front of you to receive
anxiety or fear or condemnation or depression from it, because I…am your God,
not that thing in front of you, and I don’t give you those things. I give you
opposite things. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you
with My righteous right hand.
Our Father in Heaven didn’t create us for depression and
fear, etc. He created us for glory and honor. He formed us and He made us in His
image. God loves us and He isn’t the one condemning or accusing us. Not at all.
God isn’t punishing us. He punished Jesus instead of us. So any time we feel
condemned, judged, accused or that God has abandoned us, we can be 100% certain
the devil is the one telling us that. God is teaching His children how to
separate light from darkness, and how to say “no” to the enemy, and “yes” to
God’s promises.
“Everyone who is
called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I
have made him.” – Isaiah 43:7
“For the grace of God
has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say
“No” to ungodliness and worldly passions…”- Titus 2:11-12
“There is therefore
now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”- Romans 8:1
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:1-3
Blessings to everyone who has struggled with fear,
depression, anxiety, condemnation, and feeling abandoned by God (you are not
abandoned by Him at all and never will be; feelings are deceiving). I am
praying for you. ❤️
“I will never leave
you, nor abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5
“Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your
God goes with you; he will never leave you nor abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
“If God is for us, who
can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for
us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall
bring a charge against God’s elect…Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword?” No!
“…we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us (and still loves us and will always love
us). For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor
principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height
nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:31-39
Jude 1:2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Peace or εἰρήνη/eiréné in the original Greek…
Strong’s Concordance defines the word as: a state of national tranquility; exemption from the rage and havoc of war.
peace between individuals, that is harmony, concord, security, safety, prosperity, felicity.
of the Messiah’s peace; the way that leads to peace through salvation; of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot; the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.
The term εἰρήνη/eiréné is used 92 times in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul frequently introduced readers of his epistles with a greeting of peace. Below are a couple of examples.
Romans 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The same greeting of peace is noted in the letters of 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, twice to the Thessalonians, Titus, Philemon, and both books of Timothy. Paul makes this point repeatedly as an introduction in his epistles. God (Father, Son, and Spirit) is the source of our peace.
As believers in Christ, we are called to be at peace with others. Seek peace with your fellow man. Do your part. There is nothing one can do about another’s attitudes, beliefs, lifestyle, words, and actions. We are not going to get along with everyone. But as for the individual believer, pursue peace in relationships.
Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Jewish people will use “peace” as a greeting or farewell to others. The term is “shalom” in the Hebrew.
Per Strong’s, shalom is defined as: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, contentment, friendship; of human relationships and with God especially in covenant relationship.
Shalom is used 237 times in the Old Testament.
The first time “peace” or “shalom” is used in the Bible is in Genesis 15:15. God was revealing His covenant to Abram regarding his descendants and their future. Part of God’s promise is peace. Abram was in a deep slumber. God was communicating to him in what many might consider a nightmare. The specific reference to Abram was with his future death and burial. God, the author of peace, revealed the concept to humanity in darkness, slavery, oppression, terror, death, and fear. This is how God chose to introduce “peace”.
Genesis 15:15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.
Peace is like a military guard. Peace crushes rebellions and it protects hearts and minds. Jesus is the answer, embodiment, and fulfillment of peace. In the end, peace wins.
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In Matthew’s telling of Jesus’ baptism something amazing happened when Jesus was submerged into the water. Scripture tells that He “came up immediately from the water” as if what they saw was miraculous. It should have taken the normal time to come up after being dunked with the baptizer helping, but in Jesus’ case something supernatural raised Him up, making people take note of it and make record of it. It wasn’t normal. In fact, the heavens opened at the same time, the Spirit of God descended in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father spoke. Have you ever been curious as to what raised Jesus up out of the water so quickly that people wanted to record it? Scripture tells us. Here’s the story as recorded in Matthew 3:13-17…
Matthew 3:13-14 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
Matthew 3:15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
Matthew 3:16-17 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The baptism was more than symbolic of His death because everything Jesus did was prophetic. In fact, the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit the Prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
His baptism was not only a “fulfillment of all righteousness” but it set the prophetic timer on His own death and resurrection. His own words were to later set the alarm clock to be raised from the dead 3 days after He was crucified when He declared…
John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
But, at His baptism in the Jordan River, 3 years prior to His death, the One’s who were present at His baptism were the same One’s present at Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Scripture tells us who and what that was…
The glory of the Father raised Jesus from the dead. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
The Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead. “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)
The Power of God raised Jesus from the dead. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:19-20)
Jesus’ own prophetic words raised Jesus from the dead. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) and “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)
So that which raised Christ from the dead is that which raised Him up out of the water: The glory of the Father, the Spirit of God, the Power of God, and Jesus’ own prophetic words. In the case of His baptism, those words were most likely “Let it be so for now, for it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
But don’t miss the fact that the baptism and death and resurrection were all initiated by the Father of glory. Through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, we as Sons of the Kingdom are restored to our Father and restored to His glory.
I just think it’s so interesting how all of the Trinity was present and participated at both events, and that the Father bestowed all glory and honor upon His Son. It’s also extremely important to understand and know that Jesus gave us the same glory the Father gave Him before the world was so that we could all become one as the Bride of Christ (John 17:5,22,23) following in His pattern. Just wow! Consider the implications of all that…
God is a Genius isn’t He?! Have a blessed day saints! <3
Love so big that there is never any question about it. Never make them wonder if they are loved. Two people wanting each other happy & feeling loved will last. Love always wins.
Romans 12:10 Love one another in brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Notice here that the word “glorified” is past tense, just like “foreknew”, “predestined”, “called”, and “justified”.
What the Bible doesn’t say is, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined…whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He will glorify once we have all died and been buried and resurrected in the sweet by and by, someday way in the future when we meet on that beautiful shore.”
While glorification is for now, it is true that it isn’t automatic. It’s fully received at salvation because the Father (who is glory – Exodus 33) comes in when Jesus does. But the glory is only released when Jesus has chosen to reveal the Father to us.
Matthew 11:27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Releasing the glory of the Father which transforms everything quickly also takes a willful decision on our part to enroll in the school on His glory. The process of our transformation goes from glory level to glory level.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
With His glory doing all the work, it gets released through suffering, putting to death the old nature, bringing to life the new nature in Christ.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
We learn to work with the Holy Spirit, flipping darkness into light. He personally trains each one of us how to operate in the glory, transforming each one of us into the “glory of the Lord”. But, it’s a willful decision on our part to engage in this one-on-one private tutoring with the Holy Spirit. We are learning to hear Him and respond. Just knowing you can do this and that the purpose of the Gospel is for “obtaining the glory” will begin to transform our thinking immediately. It’s not taught in the churches although it’s all throughout scripture. Those who know there is something more than what they’ve been hearing will have the ears to hear.
Luke 10:22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Avoiding Bible translations that don’t adhere closely to the original languages unblinds minds on the knowledge of the glory.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
After all, obtaining the glory is the purpose of the Gospel (Good News). Salvation is the way in which we obtain the glory, but glory is the goal. Being remade in our Father’s image, doing the things our Father does, and being crowned with glory is what He purposed for us from the beginning.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 5:44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?