Prince of Peace

Meeting and Kissing

Ken

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10 KJV). Physical existence is only an attempt to replicate spiritual reality. We understand meeting a spouse with a kiss is a sign of close affection, and so it is with mercy and truth, righteousness and peace. The truth is we need God’s mercy, for only the righteousness of a right relationship with Him can give us the perfect peace with our Creator, Savior, and King. Mercy is God withholding the punishment we deserve for our sins. “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The truth, as it is in Jesus, is only completely surrendering to Christ can give us a right understanding of Pontius Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), for Jesus had just said to him, “Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice” (18:37). Righteousness is a right relationship with God causing us to rightly act, but it is impossible without first coming into contact with the Prince of Peace, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. The supernatural act of balancing mercy and truth, righteousness and peace comes only from God’s Spirit working in us “to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

Surrendering to Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life is part of accepting Christ into your life. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Without complete submission to Christ, it is impossible to defeat the devil. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Satan already knows submission to Christ is resistance to him, and resistance to Christ — in anything — is submission to the devil. Father, awaken the understanding of Your Professed Church. May Your Professed Body admit we are at war with the devil. Grant to us a firmness, which will prevent cowardice, but a softness, which will invite You to control our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Unto Us A Child Is Born

Ken

Christmas is a special time of caring because God set the example. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV). Jesus is that child born in a Bethlehem manger, God’s One and Only Son. He came the First Time as a lowly Savior, but He will return the Second Time as conquering king and judge to rule an earthly, millenial kingdom. The actions of the Messiah are wonderful and marvelous. His words are that of a counselor. Christ Jesus is The Mighty God to the consternation of His enemies. He is one with the Father. And, to our great joy, He is our Prince of Peace. Hallelujah! “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Father, all praise to You for sending us Your Son. Forever thank you! May the gladness You put in our heart translate into the caring we give one another. You are the founder of the feast and reason for this season. We gratefully praise You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

When We Sense We Have the Least Control

Ken

When we sense we have the least control, then He has the most control. So, we should set out to behave irresponsibly? Take no precautions? Not give due diligence? Absolutely not! We are to give our utmost to Him whenever we can, wherever we can. He accepts no less! But, He cannot receive the glory due Him, if we really felt the credit was due us. Not to worry! If we don’t already have it in our mind that the credit is only His, He will allow something to trip up our timing, so we are no longer in control. Sound familiar? “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee” (2Chronicles 20:12 KJV). LORD, do for us what You have done for Your people time after time. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Jesus Said It Would Be This Way

Ken

When the world is making it hard to ignore all the calamities and tragedies all around us, then we are experiencing more than the everyday difficulties usually befalling us. Jesus did not come to bring a message of doom and destruction to the world, but to bring us the hope of forgiveness, restoration, and a new life in fellowship with Him. He only warned us about the tribulation we’d experience because we can’t escape this world without it. “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” (John 16:33 KJV). Jesus overcame, so we, too, would continually be overcoming. ‘Jesus said it would be this way’ is the theme of prophecy, so we should not become distracted by the calamities and quit living the supernatural, overcoming life of disciples of Jesus Christ. Then, God is glorified, and we will do the good we should. In the meantime, Lord Jesus come quickly, and help me to do all the good I can before the Father declares, Time is up, and we go Home. Amen.