“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Peace is the substance and embodiment of Jesus. It is with us and within us and we embodying Him can give peace to others.
Peace is not just a concept it has substance and is real. We can face and reject fear when we take on peace.
Fear so often is of what might be and not what is. In God’s governance we are told to ‘fear not’ and ‘do not worry’
Daily we pray for ‘daily bread’ it is not only physical food but spiritual food which like manna came down from heaven to meet the needs for each day whatever they may be.
“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
As His Will unfolds so will His provision and He gives one hundred percent to reveal His glory.
This is His desire for His church. To step into the void to provide, serve and release fruit that is the new wine daily.
“Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
It is a call to work together purposefully according to our own strengths but collaborative and in unity to constantly increase our capacity for more.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
It is never with a trade mindset. What we get from the deal. That is as from Satan it was like the trading tables that Jesus found offensive in His Father’s temple.
It is the giving of best never mind the cost, no expectation of reward but purely for the other. That is the nature and mindset of the mature Christian and body of the church.
It is not the natural we see in the immature it comes from the supernatural.
When we submit ourselves as the currency for God to spend as and where He chooses.
Not to trade with but to be positioned alongside those who have need of us.
A transaction is available supernaturally. It requires our eyes to be upon Jesus to do what He would do at every cue. He is the greater power.
We need Jesus every moment not just for a miracle. How else can we be the visible Jesus to others we meet. That they might recognise and receive Him into their lives. We are His ambassadors.
We have to be before we can lead others to be. We are not aiming to provide the product we but rest in the person who can provide that fruit.
We use words and wisdom fed to us from the Holy Spirit to make room for Him to reveal Himself and His glory.
The illustration shows us submitted as God’s currency to be spent and used as He wills as we connect in Spirit with Him. His light emanating to push back the darkness.
Four Scriptures that come to mind:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:7 ESV
“Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17 ESV
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV
The song I Belong. Brooke Ligertwood
Lessisgreater 