Sunday, June 30, 2024

PARADOX of PEACE

 The LORD JESUS declared:

Luke 12:51

King James Version

51 Suppose ye that I am come 

to give peace on earth? 

I tell you, Nay; 

but rather division:


Did we understand that verse right?

That JESUS came to "give" division?

Isn't He the "Prince of Peace"?

That's what this article will explore.


To many, it's confusing.

To a born again, it's clear.

We always turn to SPIRIT.

Who teaches us about Scripture.

First, the prophecy:

Isaiah 9:6

King James Version

6 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.


That makes JESUS, "The Prince of Peace".

For Him to be sent by GOD means the world was in a critical state.

Luke 19:9-10

King James Version

9 And Jesus said unto him, 

This day is salvation come to this house, 

forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come 

to seek and to save 

that which was lost.


Man being "lost", meant he did not know the laws of GOD.

Or he did, but forgot, tried to forget, or simply didn't want to obey.

Man went about his way, thinking he knew what was right.

Judges 21:25

King James Version

25 In those days there was no king in Israel: 

every man did that which was right in his own eyes.


But what is right to man, isn't necessarily right with GOD.

Proverbs 16:9

King James Version

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: 

but the Lord directeth his steps.


The stench of sin must have greatly angered GOD.

He decided to send His SON, once and for all.

People thought the MESSIAH would bring "peace".

That was the end goal.

First, the "mess".


The MESSIAH was there for man's "mess".

He needed to wake us up, each and every one of us.

He showed us our foaming "filth".

Galatians 5:19-21

King James Version

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, 

which are these; 

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, 

emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, 

revellings, and such like: 

of the which I tell you before, 

as I have also told you in time past, 

that they which do such things 

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


In any "house cleaning", JESUS tells us what to expect:

Luke 12:52-53

King James Version

52 For from henceforth there shall be 

five in one house divided, 

three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, 

and the son against the father; 

the mother against the daughter, 

and the daughter against the mother; 

the mother in law against her daughter in law, 

and the daughter in law against her mother in law.


Such divisions are representative of what goes on in a family, a community, an organization, a country, and in the world.

To have peace, we need JESUS.

That He may help us deal with the "mess".

It will cause divisions among us.

Beliefs will be challenged.

Norms will be challenged.

The status quo will be challenged.

That's what the "division" is all about.


To this day, each man's "house cleaning" is not done.

We need to be a true born again.

So we'll be at it, every single day.

Making sure we're ready for the Rapture.

Because no way would wee want to be in the Tribulation.

And no way will we want to continue sinning.

It is totally abhorrent to a true believer in CHRIST.

Especially our LORD gave up His life on the cross.

We'd be so ashamed to ever sin again.

It cost the LORD so much.

1 Corinthians 6:20

King James Version

20 For ye are bought with a price: 

therefore glorify God in your body, 

and in your spirit, which are God's.


1 Peter 1:18-21

King James Version

18 Forasmuch as ye know 

that ye were not redeemed 

with corruptible things, 

as silver and gold, 

from your vain conversation 

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained 

before the foundation of the world, 

but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, 

that raised him up from the dead, 

and gave him glory; 

that your faith and hope 

might be in God.


Only through JESUS can we have PEACE.

He is "Prince of Peace".

We remain in "pieces", unless we believe in Him.

Our WHOLENESS relies upon JESUS alone.

Our healing comes from Him.

We need to repent, and believe His gospel.

We need to live a life worthy of the LORD.

We need to LIVE by His WORD.

We need to love GOD, self, and each other, as we ought to.

You would want to have everlasting life, wouldn't you?


The fact JESUS will return means one thing:

Again, we are in dire straits.

Our mess continues.

This time, the house cleaning will be for good.

And PEACE will finally prevail.

Revelation 22:1-5

King James Version

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, 

clear as crystal, 

proceeding out of the throne of God 

and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, 

and on either side of the river, 

was there the tree of life, 

which bare twelve manner of fruits, 

and yielded her fruit every month: 

and the leaves of the tree 

were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: 

but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; 

and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; 

and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; 

and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; 

for the Lord God giveth them light: 

and they shall reign for ever and ever.


Related material:

WINGS parties DIVISIONS

PEACE through JESUS

Sin AWARENESS

SINS of the FLESH

SALVATION

BORN AGAIN articles

Paradoxes


Wednesday, June 19, 2024

What WHOLENESS means

 

Psalm 130:5

King James Version

5 I wait for the Lord, 

my soul doth wait, 

and in his word do I hope.


Is the world whole?

It's not.

It's broken.

How can we say that?

If the world was whole, there would be peace.

Everyone would believe in JESUS.

Everyone would love GOD.

Everyone would listen to SPIRIT.

But it is a broken world.

To each his own.

Following the dictates of Satan.

Refusing to believe in the LORD JESUS.

Intellect rules.

Wealth rules.

The elite rule.

Beauty rules.

Business rules.

Money rules.

The poor are forgotten.

The world makes no room for CHRIST.

Only self, I, me, mine.


Why the world is broken:

Colossians 2:8

King James Version

8 Beware lest any man spoil you 

through philosophy and vain deceit, 

after the tradition of men, 

after the rudiments of the world, 

and not after Christ.


Only JESUS can fix it:

Colossians 2:9-10

King James Version

9 For in him dwelleth 

all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, 

which is the head of all principality 

and power:


Man's broken systems cannot fix the broken world.

Our minds are not whole.

Our hearts are not whole.

Our spirits are not whole.

Our intentions are not whole.

Our vision is not whole.

We all have holes in our spirit, which allow evil to step in.

We need to have the mind of CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 2:16

King James Version

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, 

that he may instruct him? 

but we have the mind of Christ.


With all the fame, fortune, and face, why aren't people happy?

Why do they continue to aspire for more?

Why do industries, and professions, continue to spawn more industries, and professions?

It has become one big, money-making machine.

A never-ending cycle of discontent.

And destruction.

Perpetual vanity.

With no one getting the wiser.

With no one getting better.

With no one getting happier.


Are families whole?

Are individuals whole?

Are psychologists whole?

Are psychiatrists whole?

Are physicians whole?

Are their families whole?

Are the richest men, and women, whole?

Or do they have holes in their hearts?

Are they all truly happy?


Being whole means you have peace.

You have love, joy, and contentment.

Your heart is filled with GOD's WORD.

You are nourished by SPIRIT.

You know what to do each moment.

You know the right thoughts to think.

You know the right words to say.

You know the right things to do.

You know the right work to do.

And they always conform to GOD's WILL.

That's what really makes you happy.

There are no guessing games.

You know things, for certain.

That it is ALL for GOD, and others.

Never for self.


The world is not whole because it refuses to accept that.

At every point, and turn, it refuses to obey GOD.

Joy comes from being born again.

Joy comes from knowing GOD's will.

Joy comes from knowing your purpose in life.

Joy comes from knowing your work pleases the LORD.

Joy comes from total obedience to GOD.


Happiness at work makes you feel whole.

Because you know your work has true purpose.

That you haven't sold your soul, for ambition.

The whole person will never sell his soul.

Not for any price.

Not for any reward.

Not for any person.

Mark 8:36

King James Version

36 For what shall it profit a man, 

if he shall gain the whole world, 

and lose his own soul?


What good is success, if you lose direction?

Or if you've lost self?

Or lost your precious family?

Or your faithful friends?

Outward success will merely be a "pyrrhic victory".

An empty sense of victory.

Which is no victory at all.

"A Pyrrhic victory (/ˈpɪrɪk/ ⓘ PIRR-ik) is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat."

-- Wikipedia


But this I can tell you, for certain.

When GOD makes you born again, you will be whole.

You will know how to live, love, work, serve, and exist.

Your life will have true meaning, in the deepest sense of the word.

That's actually what people are looking for.

"Meaning."


Many rich, and famous, people have empty lives.

Sad lives.

Lonely lives.

Painful lives.

Chaotic lives.

Lives full of betrayal.


They sit at long tables, lording it over others.

They have meals at long tables, with all the stiff formality.

And yet another family can be eating the simplest meal elsewhere.

In a forgotten part of the world.

Having much joy, ribbing, and laughter.

Not glued to gadgets.

Not shutting out each other.

Not anxious to leave the table.

But having real laughter among themselves.


They do not look for what's not there.

They make do, with what's available.

They thank GOD for everything.

The children are taught about GOD.

They are taught values, and principles.

They are taught GOD's commands.

They are taught timeless principles for life.

They have sure, strong, steady foundations to live on.

And they teach the same to their kids.

If they do decide to have families.

Which normally, they would.


Your wholeness springs from what you focus on.

If you focus on JESUS, He will fill your whole universe.

If you focus on what the world thinks you should have, you will feel empty.

Nothing will ever be enough, or satisfactory.

Only JESUS can fill your whole heart with happiness.

Only He can give you the fulfillment you seek.

Only He can give you peace, love, joy, and contentment.

And yes, only He can give you GOD.


But the world continues about its orbit.

Going around in circles, but not really getting anywhere.

While true believers can't get enough of His WORD.

I know what I speak of.

SPIRIT and I have 106 blogs we share with you.

And yet, I've probably barely scraped the surface of GOD's TRUTH.

Not that I mind, for GOD is patient, merciful, kind, and loving.

He knows I'll get there.

By my little efforts each day, I'll get there.

It's in the doing; not just the speaking.

James 1:22

King James Version

22 But be ye doers of the word, 

and not hearers only, 

deceiving your own selves.


My life may be a fragile "bubble".

I'm here one day, then gone the next.

But in that moment I'm around, my wholeness relies on JESUS.

My SAVIOR.

My LORD.

My LOVE.

My LIFE.

My EVERYTHING.

Colossians 3:1-2

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.


Related material:

On HEALING brokenness

SOURCE of WHOLENESS

SOURCE of HEALING

PEACE through JESUS

Having a sound mind

BORN AGAIN articles

BROKENNESS


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