Tag: #John14:27

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Master-Peace

Every time I gaze at a sunset, I am reminded of my future. We all have one, you know. We’re all going somewhere. 

Jesus endured the agony of the cross for the joy that was set before him (He 12:2). He knew His future was joyous and involved mercy and honor on the other side of our painful judgment that He took upon Himself. He knew He was returning home and being established in a higher place of eternal life with exponential reach.

He was kind in leaving us with His peace of reconciliation to strengthen us for our journeys on earth (Jn 14:27, Ps 29:11, Ep 2:14 TPT). We know we are to follow Him as our Prince of Peace and allow His peace to rule in our hearts, since we were called to His peace (Co 3:15).

So, what is He leading you through and to?

What does mercy look like now and on the other side of your challenge?

It should look like Jesus in the midst and Jesus exalted when our eyes and thoughts are fixed on Him (He 12:2, 3:1).

He is where we find our resolve and rejoice of shalom (peace), which is “wholeness, health, security, well-being and salvation” (Tyndale Bible Dictionary).

He is about masterfully restoring and transforming us as we run to Him and come to know our glorious Jesus more. He is about having us receive and extend His love, truth and grace as He works out our salvation on earth. And about walking with us in His victory of purpose and vision for our lives, no matter what.

Shalom (peace) inherently points to our blood covenant with God. As a reflection of this, and as an expression of peace as fruit of His Spirit, it also points to our covenant relationships (with His people), including marriages.

In this light, a little more than two weeks ago, Holy Spirit revealed to me that He is supernaturally reconciling people to one another on a level that none of us could ever do in our own strength. He showed me that He is working to restore relationships that we thought were way beyond impossible and that we are going to see a fountain of life come through these to bless many.

Holy Spirit gave me a glimpse of how patiently and intricately He has worked to reconcile people on a generational level, while working out their salvation over years at the root. He has been masterfully working this wholeness to shift people’s legacies for dramatically better, fortified, lasting, more Godly futures. Legacies that can endure.

Holy Spirit revealed specific people to me, as a close-up example in my own life, and how He has strategically and miraculously linked them. How He is working to revive them and restore their bloodlines now and forward for higher blessing and much greater outward fruit for His Kingdom.

Soon, these manifestations of reconciliation will come into their fullness of purpose. Soon, as we continue to grow in God’s grace, we will see a greater shift toward these life-changing divine connections to be blessed through them and alongside them as we work together in newfound ways (1 Co 16:9). 

We will discover joy that overflows exponentially as God brings our brokenness into more of His Shalom (peace) of wholeness that delights our hearts.

We will experience our role in kingship in a new and more above-ground way. We will see how our David, Joseph and Job preparations paid off, where, like them, we ran to and with The Prince of Peace and were protected and restored to come into the authentic places to which we were called, anointed and appointed. 

We will experience the establishment of Psalm 85:10 TPT, which says, “Your mercy and your truth have married each other. Your righteousness and peace have kissed.” And Psalm 72:7 TPT, which says, “In the days of his reign the righteous will spring forth with the abundance of peace and prosperity forevermore.”

We will know, even more, Holy Spirit as our Person of Peace as we continue to experience His strategy of peace as our path to provide us with a more fruitful lifestyle of protection and projection in the earth that rules victoriously.

So, there are more walks of faith and sprints of new order before us as God continues to bring shifts in our marathon for the betterment of our lives and others. From darkness to light, where one day ends and another begins, He is with us working His plan. We must keep this at the forefront of our minds as we progress, lest we become self-sufficient and limit God’s best in our lives.

We can invite His super into our natural to help us by His grace-power. It’s the only way to receive and give maximum benefit. We cannot fail with Him.

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for blessing us with peace and for giving us an “[unyielding and impenetrable] strength” (Ps 29:11 AMPC). Thank You for giving us “abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control” (2 Ti 1:7 AMPC, Ro 8:6). Let peace rule in our hearts and let our passions for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to us (Co 3:15, Ps 51:12 TPT). Hold us close to You with a willing spirit that obeys whatever You say. Help us to put into practice the example of all that we have heard from You and seen in our lives so that You, as our God of peace, will be with us in all things, including in our relationships (Ph 4:9 TPT, Ps 34:14). 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen

“Now, may the Lord himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you his peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all” (2 Th 3:16 TPT). May His peace cascade over you and rest upon you (Ju 1:2, 2 Th 1:2 TPT).

To God be the glory.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Peace Understanding – Part 1

We’ve heard of the peace that surpasses understanding in Philippians 4:7, where we experience the Presence of The God of Peace while going through a difficult time. 

But there’s also a holy peace, a kind of confidence that comes when we live in a reality of knowing God, understanding His ways and applying His wisdom as He reveals Himself and His will in everyday life (Is 26:3).

Proverbs 4:7 tells us to “get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).”

A kind of wisdom.

Yet, Job 26:14 AMPC asks, who can understand “His full, magnificent power?” 

So, why would God instruct us to get understanding if He is too unfathomable to comprehend?

I believe the answer is that our Lord releases new levels of knowledge with understanding as we come to know Him from glory to glory. I believe it’s part of our growth journey to know Him more and to co-operate with Him by faith. I believe we need levels of understanding to accomplish progressively greater assignments with Him after we’ve passed faith tests.

Proverbs 3:13, 16-17 NIV say, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.”

The Lord’s offering of understanding to us comes with peace in knowing God’s final Word, His good and purposed outcome for us and our divinely-assigned projects and His how-to—all by His authority and our heart to receive and obey His heart (Ps 23:4 TPT).

As a righteous man (and the only one at the time), Noah experienced this.

God was very specific with His instructions to him, even down to the measurements of the ark as well as who and what to load on it when the time came.

God articulated.

He left nothing to mess up by man’s ignorance.

Likewise, there’s no time to waste in this modern-day, accelerated and fitting time, where pieces of our lives (and the greater remnant) converge for higher purposes.

There is efficiency in working from a diligent attitude of peaceful knowing. Work processes can flow when we know what to do and how to do them in advance. 

When we know God is in it from the beginning.

It makes a difference.

Yes, we also learn as we go; but we need some initial instruction and/or strategy.

Have you ever started a project and wondered whether it was of The Lord?

If so, maybe you kept going, hoping you would hear something from Him along the way.

Or maybe you gave up early on, because you didn’t hear anything. 

In the end, the door closed and you didn’t see much, if any, fruit. 

So, if that’s you, what did you learn?

Friends, when our hearts are aligned with God’s truth, meaning nothing is withheld from Him, we’re more inclined to do it His way.

To submit to Him and finish projects with Him.

This is true efficiency. 

Psalm 37:11 AMPC tells us, “But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. [Ps. 37:29; Matt. 5:5.]”

This kind of peace is God’s shalom, which means nothing missing, nothing broken, blessed, content, well, prosperous, whole and complete (Strong’s #7965).

So, we can receive the greater blessings of God when we do it His way, according to His instruction and timing.

Isaiah 30:18 says, “…blessed are those who wait for His help.”

Proverbs 10:22 AMPC says, “The blessing of the Lord–it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].”

One meaning of “blessing” in this verse is “peace” (Strong’s #1293).

So, you could read it as “The peace of the Lord–it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].”

Friends, peace is a powerful clarifier and confirmation that comes directly from the Spirit of God.

The Author and Promotor (God) of peace will be with us when we live in peace (2 Co 13:11 AMPC).

So, if all we’re feeling is anxiety because we don’t have enough of God’s clear instruction, we need to wait until we hear more from Him before we take the next step. 

Let’s choose to honor God in the only way that works well.

Philippians 4:9 NIV says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

So, friends, let’s step into what God has assigned to us, according to His instruction and timing to work it His way so that we don’t waste our resources, and our projects will result in pure gold. 

Let’s remember the important role of peace:

The God of peace equips us with “every good thing to do His will” (He 13:20-21 NASB).

The Gospel is peace (Ep 6:15).

Jesus is our peace (Ep 2:14).

Jesus is The Prince of Peace (Is 9:6).

Jesus is the way of peace (Ro 5:1).

Peace is a path that is to be followed (Pr 3:17, He 12:14, 2 Ti 2:22). 

Reconciliation peace came by the blood of Jesus (Co 1:20 AMPC).

Our God of peace crushed Satan under our feet (Ro 16:20).

Peace is a gift Jesus left with us (Jn 14:27).

Our Lord multiplies peace (1 Pe 1:2).

The peace of Jesus is to rule in our hearts (Co 3:15).

Peace is continual for those who please God (Ro 2:10).

Peacemakers reap a harvest of divine approval (righteousness) (Ja 3:18).

The mind of Holy Spirit is peace (Ro 8:6).

Peace is power that can be felt and binds us to harmony with Holy Spirit (Ep 4:3).

We are to pursue peace and maintain it with God and man (1 Pe 3:11).

Holding peace is a war strategy that requires understanding (Ex 14:14, Pr 11:12).

The Kingdom of God is filled with peace, and God lives for us to live in peace (Ro 14:17, He 12:14).

So, friends, are you ready to co-operate with God in more peace understanding?

If so…

“…May God’s delightful grace and peace rest upon you” (1 Th 1:1). 

May Holy Spirit work His peace within you (Ga 5:22 AMPC).

“…May the Lord himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you his peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all” (2 Th 3:16 TPT). 

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]” (Co 3:15 AMPC). 

May God increase your peace (and grace) as you grow to know Him firsthand as your Lord (2 Pe 1:2 NLT).

May God’s “peace be yours in the fullest measure” (1 Pe 1:2).

“…may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely” (1 Th 5:23 NKJV);

“…Yes, Lord, so let it be” (Ro 15:33)!

In Jesus’ Mighty Name. 

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Victory Strategy: Be Ready – Part 2

The Lord’s renewed eagles, His transformed ones are to be ready—which means to arise with a disposition of willingness and eagerness—for long-awaited promises to be fulfilled.

God is opening our eyes to see more life in our commitment of faith as He moves us forward in greater peace.

Luke 7:50 TPT tells us that “…Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith in me has given you life. Now you may leave and walk in the ways of peace.”

The Lord has impressed my heart that, because of breakthroughs in our commitment of faith, blessings that were once locked and bound will now be unlocked and loosed.

Those who were once bound in chains can now abound in hope, made stronger in their commitment of faith forward (Ro 15:13).

It’s time to see our holy fire re-ignite from a place of resting in The God of peace during this Isaiah 61 time, which is “The Year of The Lord’s Favor.”

Romans 16:24 TPT says, “May the grace and favor of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, continually rest upon you all.”

Especially for those who have been through character-building, it’s time to yield to “a harvest of righteousness and peace” (He 12:11 TPT).

God’s harvest blessings will come into maturity through us as a result of devoting dedicated time with Him, receiving His revelations, then working from a place of peaceful assurance—with no hindrance of anxiety—because we will know God more as trustworthy (Ga 5:22, 1 Jn 4:18). 

In this place of resting in God, He reveals more of Himself, releasing divine purpose and deeply moving us with His wisdom, understanding, strategy, knowledge and reverence (Is 11:2 ESV).

Revelation and peace work together for us to also know His ways more, to establish confidence in our walk and to bring heaven to earth. They offer us understanding of Him as what was, what is and what is to come. 

Have you experienced the sweet Presence of God like this lately?

Like Ruth laying at the feet of Boaz, after laboring, before her divine purpose was fulfilled?

Resting with God is where we see His perspective clearly. It’s where our lives make sense in regards to how He has brought and is bringing all the pieces of our journey together for His glory. It’s where we find significance. God will enable us to experience this deeper turning point, where His revelatory truths alleviate our fears and bring new life of peace and passion. A place of sweet restoration, where we feel more secure at home and “well provided for” (Ru 3:1; De 33:12).

It’s where God breaks through for us, for Kingdom’s sake (Ro 14:17).

For destiny (fulfilled promises).

Keeping our minds stayed upon The Lord, by His grace, is how we find peace.

Romans 8:6 TPT tells us, “For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.”

While resting at the feet of Jesus, our minds sync with His, so our feet can put changes in motion alongside Him. When we know Him at His feet, we experience Him fitting our feet with His peace as He reveals His plan to prosper us to bless others.

Resting in peace at Love’s (God’s) feet makes us ready.

Ephesians 6:15 ESV says, “and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”

Being established in His peace is how we get to courageous.

In John 14:27 TPT, Jesus says, “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”

Constantly using our faith is how we live, rest and remain rooted in our faith (of His love). 

Ephesians 3:17 TPT tells us that “…by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.”

It’s time to be ready to go the distance and influence the earth anew, by His Spirit.

So, friends, pray with me if you will…

Lord, “illuminate the path that leads to the way of peace” (Lk 1:79). “…I’ll listen carefully for your voice and wait to hear whatever you say. Let me hear your promise of peace—the message every one of your godly lovers longs to hear. Don’t let us in our ignorance turn back from following you” (Ps 85:8 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him…” (Ro 15:13 TPT)! “Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful” (Co 3:15 TPT).

“Finally, beloved friends…Live continually in peace, and God, the source of love and peace, will mingle with you” (2 Co 13:11 TPT).

Even in your long-awaited opportunities.

To God be the glory.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Godly Courage: Our Breath for The Race – Part 2

A fresh breath of courage begins with fellowship with God in submission to Him. The purpose of this Godly courage is for God to demonstrate His power through His beloved followers as a witness to others and to otherwise build His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.

Acts 4:13 TPT reveals to us that “The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.”

Hebrews 4:16 TPT instructs us to “…come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.”

Ephesians 3:12 AMPC affirms that “…because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access ( an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).”

Friends, when God graces us with His courage, we gain the ability to speak freely and boldly, void of doubt in our fellowship with God and in reliance upon His Name (Jesus). We can also speak in divinely-purposed ways publicly with perfect, bold assurance, as our confidence and demeanor remain in His Spirit, regardless of circumstance (Ac 4:29) (Strong’s Concordance). 

In Philippians 1:20 AMPC, Paul testifies, “…in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise…”

So, we have choices to make: Will we come to God in courage, even when we can’t see the way (Mk 10:49)? And will we choose to partake of His offering of unfailing courage as true strength? 

Luke 21:19 NIV tells us to, “Stand firm, and you will win life.”

This means to be “un-swerved” from divine purpose and to be loyal “to faith and piety,” even in our “greatest trials and sufferings” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). 

God assures us victory through courage, even in a storm (2 Cor 6:4). 

When Jesus walked on water in the storm, He commanded His disciples to not fear and “have courage” as He came near to them and rescued them (Mk 6:50)!

Jesus taught His disciples to rely on and confidently demonstrate His unflinching, bold wind (breath) of courage as strength in the face of the storm. He took them beyond their own natural ability to see that, with His help, they could keep a warm heart and a good attitude as they endured victoriously. 

In this way, the disciples were strengthened in Christ.

They grew in faith. 

They learned that they could trust Jesus in the storm to bring them through. The only way they could have learned this and the only way they could have demonstrated any measure of confidence was to actually go through the storm with Jesus as He worked out their faith. 

They learned that Godly courage was the true wind in their sails.

So, we see in this example that when hostile, contrary winds oppose us, we can be met by God’s greater wind, which is His breath (or wind) of courage that strengthens us. This powerful inner bolstering, by the Spirit of Jesus (which is the Holy Spirit in us), invites us to step out and above all that rages against us with a confidence by faith that He is with us and He will sustain us to the end.  

In Philippians 1:14, God even promises His faithful followers that He will increase His infusion of courage during times of injustice.

So, will you believe God’s truth when the adversary lies to you through circumstances that try to take you down and under? Will you believe God’s goodness and take His courage?

Because of who He is and what He has already done for us, God expects us to keep a good, faith-filled attitude, even as we endure the storms of life. As we believe Him at His Word, remain in obedience to Him, reach for Him, keep our gaze upon Him, and worship Him throughout the journey, we are able. 

So, don’t get stuck in unbelief or hardness of heart. 

Endure, and you will see God’s truth come to pass in your life.

Jesus assures us in John 16:33 AMPC, saying, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

Jesus adds in John 14:27 TPT, “I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”

To be sure, peace, heart, confidence, grace, faith, truth, obedience and endurance are closely tied to courage. 

So, Lord, we thank You for depriving the world of power to harm us. We thank You for Your gifts of perfect peace and confidence. 

In the areas where we have lost heart, we repent. We renounce all depression as a false feeling of defeat, a lie from the enemy of our soul that attempts to crush Your courage in us and render us incapable of completing our divine assignments (Pr 18:14). 

Thank You, Lord, that we don’t have to faint under pressure, but that we can come to You and receive a fresh wind of Your powerful courage that strengthens us and makes us bold in ways that honor and magnify You. 

By Your grace, and in faith, we receive Your fresh breath of courage now to effectively and efficiently fulfill our divine purposes and missions.

Thank You, Lord, that we can always be of good courage (2 Cor 5:6), that as we continue to place our heart in Yours, You will sustain a cheerful heart in us. 

Thank You for helping us hold onto our bold, courageous faith in You, Lord (He 10:35), and to continue on in victory (He 3:6), because we know that You will protect us, just as You say You will (Ac 27:25).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name that is above all names.

To God be the glory.

Amen.