The impacts of Peace (Why Peace)

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Close note Let there be Peace Impacts of the Peace of God ALFRED EE· LET THERE BE PEACE IN OUR LAND” This draft document was written by Rev Dr Alfred Ee on 24th Dec 2014 for Magdalene Dura upon her request to be used in part for her speech entitled above as she address the traditional rulers, political leaders, stakeholders and the public on the need for peace during and after the elections in Nigeria. Scripture Reference: Luke 2 :14; Luke 19:42; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 29:7-11; Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 32:17: Isaiah 66:12; Romans 8:6; Hebrews 12:24; Colossians 3:15; Judges 6:22-24; Judges 7:13 -15; Ephesians 6:15; Ephesians 2:17 1. No God no peace; know God know Peace.well wholeness complete We live in a very troubled world and times, and it may seem peace is an illusion and hard to have. The word “peace,” “serene” have a few meanings. At times it is translated “well, whole, nothing broken, nothing missing,” It’s a quality which the world cannot buy for all its money or wealth. The Bible says God gives us an abundance of peace. The first revelation of Jehovah Shalom is found in Judges 6. Israel had forgotten Jehovah and turned to idols. They had forgotten God has revealed Himself as Sanctifier after 200 yrs had passed. There was no central government, they were scattered and had forgotten Jehovah God as a nation. They were divided and scattered. Every man was doing what was right in his own eyes and the result was they were living in defeat and failures, not as the head but the tail. The Midianites had overcome and kept Israel in bondage. They had camels attacking with swords putting them in fear, burning their crops, farms and houses. Israel had backslidden and did not have peace as their inheritance as a chosen nation. Gideon was a man with a tremendous inferiority complex or lack of self esteem, suffering from rejection and self condemnation. He was easy to get uptight because just like us, we see with the natural eyes concerning our circumstances. When David was facing Goliath he was not uptight even though Goliath was bigger and better armed. This was because David had peace and inner tranquility, and considered how big God is and not his own size when he faced and fought Goliath - v22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. v23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. v24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah Shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Judges 6:22-24 Gideon needed the peace of God if he was to win the battle. God gave Gideon peace before he ever won the battle. God is greater than anything you may encounter so hold your peace. Shalom as a greeting is usually said twice. Why? Peace within and peace without. Shalom means also “to pay” or “render” or “give unto” and can also mean “full,” “lacking nothing in Jesus.” 2. Peace is God’s payment. Peace says “I don’t have to worry about the future because I know Him and His Word has made provision to all my needs.” Another meaning of the word “Peace” is “better than any” or “perfect” or “the best ever.” It is used 170 times in the Bible (better than anything – Peace, perfect, best). In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet prophesied that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and Jerusalem is the city of peace or possession of peace . v10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. v11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:10-11 v7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. v8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. v9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. v10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. v11The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:7-11 v17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. v18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea: Isaiah 48:17-18 (7 keys to your peace -1 whose saying and who say and what you hear listen to instructions from is key 2 The lord Is he the lord or master in control of your life incharge or you 3 Are you redeemed ,do you understand redemption from and the power of the blood 4 Holiness and peace is related Is there a separation for before fire to fall there has to be sacrifice separation of flesh an d worldliness or ways 5 Are you teachable have a humble heart or stubborn hard thinking you know it all 6 who is leading an d whose leading you are following 7 obedience and heeding the word . God does not want us to be confused, torn up, divided but single-minded, focused and full of His peace and security. Some people think God give us bad things so that we will mature and be purified. Not so and not true! James 1:17 says:”Every good thing comes from God.” v7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. 10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.” Isaiah 66:7-12 Gideon had only 300 men to fight the enormous 135,000,00 Midianites but he had to hold his peace, trust God and speak victory, and as he was full of holes or leaked, God has to give him reassurance. V12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. 13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. 14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. 15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. 18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. 19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. 20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. 21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. Judges 7:12-21. God’s Word is never void of power to fulfill what it says. Hold your peace. Gideon kept his peace with his relatives who stirred strife, anger and jealousy, and won. He had a revelation of Jehovah Shalom. When Gideon’s relatives complained and griped, he kept the peace. Contention takes two people. Peace takes only one. When you let Jesus’ peace, love and joy flow out, there cannot be strife. What is to be upon our feet? Ephesians 6:15 talks about “feet shod with the Gospel of Peace.” 3. Peace is living at its best. One of the meanings of peace in the Bible is eirene in Greek which means: a state of national tranquillity exemption from the rage and havoc of war peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) of the Messiah's peace the way that leads to peace (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, of whatsoever sort that is the blessed state of devout and upright men after death (http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/eirene.html) v 37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. 41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side. Luke 19:37-43 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13, 14 Peace is our heritage. Ephesians 2:17. He came to preach peace to those who are afar and nigh .We can have peace because Jesus has shed His blood and blotted out all our sins and failures and fear etc And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Hebrew 12:24. “Let the peace of God rule in your heart” or take its rightful place in the inner man or core or centre of your life. Colossians 3:15 You have to decide if your emotions or God’s peace rule. You have to choose to allow feelings, flesh or faith in the Word and God’s promises to rule. Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee for he trusteth in Him. Isaiah 26:3. Romans 8:6 says: To be spiritually minded is life and peace. You decide to live in worry, fears, anxiety, the flesh or the Spirit. Ephesians 5:15-18 teaches you choose to take control of yourself and feelings and emotions by being filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking to yourself in hymns, psalms and spiritual songs or stay agitated and anxious. The Kingdom of God is love, joy, peace and power in the Holy Spirit. Don’t let your mind be restless. Isaiah 32:17 says “the work (fruit) of righteousness is peace.” 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; 19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place. 20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. Isaiah 32:16-20 Restlessness, uptightness and upset does not reflect a life of Christ but the need of the Peace of God to replace and bring God glory in our lives because Jesus by His blood has made peace available and by His righteousness given us His peace. V26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:26-30 Peace is an attribute of God in the Bible or His nature. May Jehovah reveal Himself. He is your peace and you have the peace of God. 24The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27 Come unto me all ye heavy laden I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 4. There are 6 keys to having the peace of God in your life. 5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:5-9 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14 The LORD will give strength unto his people; The LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11 There are four very basic human needs in life – Acceptance sense of belonging loved n be loved , Purpose, Security, Identity or Self-Esteem. Anything affecting these areas affect your peace and behaviour or well being. According to Peter, we are to search and seek for peace, not merely desire but pursue peace. Pursue peace of God, peace with God, peace with self and peace with men as much as possible. Let us live in peace. Morbid introspection and negativity must cease if we are to have peace. A healthy self esteem and image and not thinking lowly or too highly of oneself is essential to have peace within. Self recrimination and criticism can undermine your faith and self esteem. Past mistakes and foreboding self-accusation steals one’s inner tranquility. We must choose to believe that no matter how we feel or what people said about us, what God says about us is most important i.e. we have hope of a great future and have peace. Do not get into comparison and blame or rejection it steals your peace. You are no more under condemnation, accusation and there’s more right with you than wrong with you. So, be at peace. We need to think well of oneself. Self-depreciation is destructive and robs you of peace. Take charge, take a chance, take control, know your life is your choice and don't let people manipulate or control you. Be yourself. You have resurrection power in you too to make quality decisions. You are unique and special. Know yourself and be yourself. You do not have to be like someone else. Focus on the good and right. You may not be where you need to be but thank God you are not where you used to be. Be calm, cool and collected and live in peace. If there is one thing most needed in these troubled times and to fight the battles or storms of life, it is the peace of God. One word of peace released when Jesus faced the storm calmed the sea of troubles in an instant. May we seek and lay hold and release this Peace of God. That is the key to the miracles of life when you go through the storms in life. Jehovah means 6 things: 1) The revealing one; 2) The eternal; 3) unchanging God; changeless One; 4) He is the God of Righteousness and 5 ) Holinesss and 6) He is the merciful one Scriptures quoted from King James Bible "Authorized Version", Cambridge Edition. Eirene - New Testament Greek Lexicon - New American Standard www.biblestudytools.com My speech is on the 3rd of January because of new year celebrations. I will forward it to you later if you forward your email address. I am in my state now. I was asked to come over by my state governor with respect to what I will be sharing with the people. I have evaded disclosing the content. But I may to go into hiding after the speech although I hope and pray that they do not come after me Would u kindly uphold my friend Magdalene Dura on her speech please? I am expected to see the first lady this evening can you imagine? I will foward to you this night. I will speak on peace but I have made up my mind to speak out against corruption and the injustices and sound a warning. My country is almost on fire I just copied 2 portions of her message to me just now Thank you Siew Ling. Your prayers give me strenght and confidence. Thanks for being a friend and indeed. Each time I think of you I just know that God made our paths to cross for a time like this. He knows I would need to draw strength from you. I appreciate you My warm regards to Dr Ee for being a willing instrument in Gods hands http://benuestate.gov.ng/mrs-magdalene-dura/