Category: Peace

Forgive as Christ Forgave Us

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Draw Me Close to You, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, Getting Along, God’s Word, Healing, Helper, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Listen to the Word of God, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Peace, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, RepentanceLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” Matt 18:35 (NLT)

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

One day when we were deep in sin, in fact even to the degree that we protested before the king that Jesus should die just because He ‘rubbed’ us the wrong way, just because He showed us up with all of His humbleness and good works, yet His Father allowed Him to die on a cruel cross at Calvary just to ease the path to heaven for us. If we, as Christians, are then to be like Jesus, who are we to turn our noses up, harden our hearts and be unwilling to forgive our brother or sister, just because they may have hurt our little feelings? God is a God of love, so as His followers we are to be a people of that kind of love. God is a forgiving God, so as followers of His we too are to be a forgiving people. God sent His Son to display the attitudes we should have here on this earth. Unless we read the Book of Instructions (the Bible), we may often think that WE have everything under control and may even think that we have no sin in our lives. Friends, we have a lot to be desired, should we try to compare ourselves to the King of all times, the Creator of this universe. We have a long way to go, compared to the love, forgiveness, humility and understanding we read about in Jesus. But let’s not wait any longer to start our journey, let’s recommit ourselves today to try and parallel our lives to the one exampled by Jesus, the only perfect One that ever walked this earth. Others need your forgiveness so that they can go on to be victorious in Jesus. You may need forgiveness so that you can go on to victory in Jesus, this same chapter gives guidance on how to go about seeking forgiveness when your offender may feel no guilt at all. Live daily in the Word, so that you can live daily for Jesus!

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father this has been an eye-opening chapter today, for it is filled with Your instructions on how we are to live our lives worthy of, and following Your example. Please give me grace, power and a humble heart to forgive others just as You have forgiven me. Help me to live a daily life being an example of You and sharing Your love with everyone that I come in contact with. Oh that others will see Jesus walking this earth through the lives of Your believers, and especially in me, what a difference this would make towards fulfilling the Kingdom message!

Never make Rash Statements

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, Getting Along, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Peace, Pleasing to God, Righteousness, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 30-31 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

31 “I rushed away because I was afraid,” Jacob answered. “I thought you would take your daughters from me by force.32 But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, identify it before all these relatives of ours, and I will give it back!” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols.  Gen 31:31-32 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

No matter how sure we are about something, we must be extremely careful in making rash statements. We can truly speak only to the actions of ourselves, and even then we must be careful because we may forget that we possibly said or did something. In these verses, Jacob was unaware that one of his wives, one of Laban’s own daughters, had stolen from Laban, so Jacob made a very rash statement, assuming that he could have spoken for himself and all within his camp. If we constantly endeavor to speak words of love, and words that would please God, and live according to His statutes and teach the same to all within our sphere of influence, then there will be little room for others to act irrationally based on our mishandling of things. Let us live as Jesus did, doing things that would bless others and saying things that would always please God.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I know that this can often happen to me also. Please help me to always seek to do Your will and say those things that will please You and represent You in every way. Please help me to be more like You every day.

May the God of Peace be evident in Us!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Bold Confidence, Christian, Discerning, Faith, Faith, Forgiveness, Fruit of the Spirit, Getting Along, Healing, Honesty, Hope, Humility, Imitator of Christ, Love your Neighbor, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Peace, Pleasing to God, Reflecting Christ, Righteousness, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

Scripture: Genesis 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

26 One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander.27 “Why have you come here?” Isaac asked. “You obviously hate me, since you kicked me off your land.”28 They replied, “We can plainly see that the Lord is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let’s make a covenant.29 Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the Lord has blessed you!”30 So Isaac prepared a covenant feast to celebrate the treaty, and they ate and drank together.31 Early the next morning, they each took a solemn oath not to interfere with each other. Then Isaac sent them home again, and they left him in peace. Gen 26:26-31 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I’m sure that sometimes God must look at us in dismay and say, why are you being such a brat and acting this way, refusing to accept this person in love through faith in Me? After all didn’t I give you what you have to use for my glory, and isn’t this person approaching you with a peaceful intention? So often I’m afraid that we tend to feel like we are especially blessed by God and since our little feelings were hurt, why should we then share our blessings with the same person that forced us into a challenging corner in the first place. This lesson from Isaac shows me that even the same king that kicked him off his property and out of his town, which I’m sure must have created quite a stir for Isaac’s camp, yet Isaac accepted the king with open arms and in peace, agreeing to a treaty proposed by the king. What a lesson to learn here! Hopefully we will be called into a situation where we could make the difference between peace and separation; showing God’s love through our actions, rather than allowing Satan to take credit for the way that we respond to such peace offerings. May this be a year filled with God’s love expressed through us in ways that will shock Satan and his cohorts. May God win the battles though His people and may He receive glory for all that is accomplished in His name!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, there are situations and scenarios in our lives that require Your power in our lives to help us make right and peaceful decisions. I believe that You are the same God today that You were when You helped Isaac overcome the challenging decisions he had to make when approached by the king. I believe that You can, and will honor our call for peaceful resolutions and treaties so that You may be honored and receive glory for the miraculous decisions that we make. Please help me to always think primarily like You would and then depend wholeheartedly on You for power to overcome the forces of this world and Satan. May the victories and/or peaceful resolutions that occur this year through my life, and those for which I may influence through my church, bring You glory and be a visible display of Your power to a lost world.

A Promise To The Righteous

On By Ed AlgreenIn A Lamp unto My Path, Ask and Receive, Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Eternal Life, Faith, Follow Jesus, Forgiveness, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Heaven, Listen to the Word of God, Obedience, Our Help comes from God, Peace, Reflecting Christ, Righteousness, Surrender, Things that make God angry, Victorious LifeLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE Studied: Genesis 5 – 7 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die.18 But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives.19 Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood.20 Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive.21 And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.” Gen 6:17-21 (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Although I have heard and read the story of Noah many times before, I was touched by this again today. God made man in His own image and in these chapters studied I found where men were still having sons well over 100 years of age, plus living in excess of 900 years. However God became very upset over the increasing evil that He saw in man and vowed to maximize his life to 120. Still, evil continued to the extent that it angered God into wiping out all living things made by Him on this earth. However, He was able to find one righteous man, Noah. The covenant He made with Noah is similar to the one that he makes with those of us that accept Him as Lord and then strive to live righteous lives. Throughout all the destruction of all living things – water on this earth of more than 22 feet above the highest mountain, yet He kept Noah and his family plus a limited number of animals, safe. Later in God’s Word He provides another covenant for those of us that accepts His Son as Lord of our lives, and this covenant is that we may live eternally with Him in glory! I don’t know about you, but to have the love of the Father – our creator, poured out on me as a child of His here on this earth, plus to also be assured of eternity with Him in glory is enough to make this life tolerable and  worth every moment of every day facing the everyday challenges of this temporary world. Noah was saved, together with his family, because He followed the will of God and lived a righteous life in the eyes of God. We can do the same today if only we will follow the plan outlined by God. Do you know this Savior of whom I speak of here? The invitation is open to ALL who believe and accept Jesus as Lord of your life. Read John 3:16 to understand the full depth of God’s promise. Won’t you covenant with God today friend? Read though this help page for directions, or contact me by responding to this post. Jesus loves you, and so do I!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because of what He said here today?)

Father, You have shown in Your Word how important it is for Your creations to dedicate themselves to their creator. Thank You for the awesome job You did in wonderfully making me and then providing a means for me to have life eternally with You. I pray that everyone that reads this post today will be convinced of Your love, and that their hearts will be troubled enough to not let the sun set today before making a commitment to accept You as their Lord and Savior and to live a righteous life in Your sight, during the time they have left here on this earth. May You rule and reign in every aspect of our lives today!

There is Power in the Blood of Jesus

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Blood of Jesus, Christian, Defeated foe, Peace, Power, RighteousnessLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Revelation 12  

OBSERVATION

Revelation 12:10-12 ~ Then I heard a voice from heaven shout, “Our God has shown his saving power, and his kingdom has come! God’s own Chosen One has shown his authority. Satan accused our people in the presence of God day and night. Now he has been thrown out! Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb and the message of God….”

APPLICATION

I believe that the part that really spoke to me in this passage is because of the blood of Jesus, because of His death (and subsequent resurrection), and under the written authority of the Holy Scriptures, God’s people (Christians) had power to, and defeated Satan. Wow! I believe that even today, with the power of God through His Holy Spirit that dwells within us, we have that same power and can defeat old Satan still. I don’t believe that God’s Holy Spirit and Satan could dwell in the same house. The Word of God tells me that when I accepted Jesus as Lord of my life, His Holy Spirit came and dwelt within me. So with Christ within me, Satan could only tempt me, he is not permitted to reside there! Praise be to God for the power that He gives to us to live holy lives that are acceptable to the Master! This passage has reminded me of the power that is truly ours, because of the blood (death and sacrifice) of our Savior, and I sing that age old hymn, “

A Force to Reckon With

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Eternal Life, Faith, Humility, Obedience, Peace, Worry no more1 Comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Revelation 12  

OBSERVATION

Revelation 12:7-9 ~ Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

APPLICATION

I am reminded here that old Satan was a force to reckon with in heaven, so who am I to be so naive and think that he is of no consequence in my life, or in my world? I believe that the main thing that I must concentrate on is that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!! Praise be to God, I serve the One who overcame the temptations of Satan and won the battle. The one who conquered death and the grave, and won the battle, yes even today I can sing – “

No Worries, Be Happy Christian!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Born Again, Christian, Heaven, Peace, Resurrection Day, Righteousness, Worry no more, WorshipLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Revelation 7 

OBSERVATION

Revelation 7:14-17 ~ …  Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

APPLICATION

Wow, wow, wow! Here are some exciting notes about what will happen to Christians after this life is over on earth:

  • We will stand in front of God’s throne – imagine how awe inspiring that will be;
  • We will serve Him day and night – To be in the presence of the Almighty will be breathtaking! To serve Him non-stop will be our heart’s desire, truly multiplied many times over the joy we receive from serving Him here on this old earth!
  • We will be protected by the living God! – We rest so much more comfortably when we are sheltered; imagine the peace in knowing that much like a chicken that protects her chicks under her wing, so will it be when God spreads His arms of love and protection over us. That’s ultimate love and protection!
  • We will never be hungry or thirsty! – Now the Word doesn’t say that we will gorge ourselves with food day and night, but rather we will never huger or thirst again. With the wellness program that I am blessed to be a part of right now, I have learned how much less food we really need when we only eat when hungry. I don’t think for a moment that we will be starved, I just believe that our minds will be so centered on loving, serving and worshipping our Lord and Savior, that food will not be a concern.
  • We will never be scorched by the heat of the sun! – Praise God! Because I suffer so much in the heat from today’s outdoor work and activities. The Word says in another place that Jesus will be the light, not the sun, so this is exciting to be reminded that our environment will be much more inviting and comfortable.
  • The Lamb, Jesus Christ, will be our shepherd! – No worries like today when a loved one loses a husband, dad or life leader, for our Shepherd will be Jesus!
  • He will lead us to springs of life-giving water! – Jesus said that He gives us water that will cause us to never thirst again. This is the water that some today will charge thousands of dollars per ounce for, because they could advertise that it produces ‘Life’! This is the water that Jesus will lead us to daily!
  • God will wipe away every tear! – Today we may cry over death in our family, disappointments over certain acts by loved ones, mourning with a friend because they hurt. Whatever it is, there will be no need to worry any longer because God will be in control and He will give us such assurances and love that we will have nothing to mourn over. Oh, Happy Day!!

PRAYER

Wow, what power-packed verses, Lord Jesus. Thank You for giving me a hope! Thank You for providing such a home for me to look forward to! Thank You for providing a means today that gives me assurance of a place in glory with You! Thank You for forgiveness of sin! Please continue to speak to my family and friends so that they too may all join me around Your throne when You see fit to call us home.

Peace in Challenging Times

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Faith, Forgiveness, Humility, Obedience, PeaceLeave a comment

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Jeremiah 33

 

OBSERVATION

Jeremiah 33:10-11 ~ ….The towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are deserted, and people and animals are nowhere to be seen. But someday you will hear 11happy voices and the sounds of parties and wedding celebrations. And when people come to my temple to offer sacrifices to thank me, you will hear them say: “We praise you, LORD All-Powerful! You are good to us, and your love never fails.” The land will once again be productive.

APPLICATION

Jeremiah had spoken of so much that had gone on around Judah and Jerusalem and how deserted they were. Of course this is the way we look at lean times through our human eyes, but praise God we serve the One who not only knows why we go through the times of famine, decline, desertion or major challenges to our faith, but who also has control over our destiny and control over when we should expect to see movement or improvement because of His hand at work in our midst. I was reminded of the words of that gospel song ‘Hold on my child, Joy Comes in the Morning‘, because no matter how things may appear through our human eyes, we have confidence in the only One that has control over these temporal challenges. You see, my God knows when and how, or even if, things will improve while we continue our worldly path or whether it will be our reuniting with Him that will bring Joy in the Morning for us. But let’s remember that it is our joy and reassurance to know that Joy will come for those of us that know Jesus personally!

PRAYER

Dear God, please help me not to focus too much on the temporal challenges that I see in my personal life, my family, my job or the life of my church. Thank You for reminding me that just as You had control over the challenges that Judah and Jerusalem went through and how You gave Jeremiah assurance that he would one day see them overcome, that You can and will work in the lives of Your people today to expose our shortcomings and sin so that we may allow You to cleanse ourselves, then overcome and live the victorious lives that will be a shining light and example to the dark and sinful world in which we find ourselves. Praise God I serve such an awesome, loving, powerful Savior that brings peace to me in challenging times!