June 15, 2013 by Raymond Candy

Salvation

So Great a Salvation

Most of the New Testament is not written about the future, but it is written about what God has already done through Jesus Christ and His atoning work at Calvary.

Purchased with His blood, and made available by His grace, we have access to every spiritual blessing contained in heavenly places, including the mind of Christ.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Eph. 1:3)

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor. 2:16)

Since much of the Bible pertains to past events, many people believe that it is just an account of things that happened so long ago that it really doesn’t apply to their lives.

However, much like a gift forgotten under the tree on Christmas morning, if we don’t find it and open it, we can never enjoy it.

Many times, God has already provided the things that we think we need and they are waiting to be found, but we are unaware of them due to a lack of knowledge and understanding.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6)

Such was the case of the Israelites in the wilderness.

“Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:” (Psalm 78:21-22)

The Lord had just delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders. He had divided the Red Sea so they could go through on dry ground and had caused the waters to return and drown the Egyptian army that was following them.

The Lord provided water from the rock for them to drink and manna from heaven for them to eat, but then they complained and questioned whether God was able to give them meat. The Bible says they “…trusted not in his salvation.”

They had no confidence in the love of God and the position of salvation that the Lord had placed them in.

Many Christians today are like the Israelites of old. They need to realize that salvation is not a one-time occurrence. It is not a prayer you once prayed or a commitment you once made.

Salvation is a removal from one place or position and an establishment in another. It is a state or condition.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Col. 1:13)

The Apostle Paul had met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. He had seen the Lord in His glory and brightness. He received by divine revelation the truths that the other disciples had spent years learning as they walked with Christ.

Many Bible scholars believe that Paul was speaking of himself when he describes a man in Second Corinthians Chapter 12 who was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard “unspeakable words” which are “not lawful for a man to utter.”

Yet after all of this, and after a lifetime of service witnessing the miracles and power of God, he realized that he had only scratched the surface of the knowledge of Christ and His salvation.

That is why as an old man and towards the end of his life, he writes:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Philip. 3:10)

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Heb. 2:3)

Next- A Portion of His Glory

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June 14, 2013 by Raymond Candy

Miracles

God is, was, and always shall be a God of Miracles.

The Bibles says,

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6)

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8)

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Mat 19:26)

We read of a man in the Old Testament by the name of Job who lived in the land of Uz. The Bible says that he was perfect and upright in the eyes of God and had been blessed tremendously by the Lord.

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1)

God was boasting in Heaven about Job when Satan accused him before the Lord. He declared the only reason Job feared God was because God had blessed Job above all others.

Satan said that if God would allow him to afflict Job and remove his blessings, then Job would turn against the Lord and not serve Him anymore.

With faith in Job, God allowed Satan to do as he requested.

Satan removed all of Job’s blessings that God had given him and struck Job’s body with a terrible disease. His friends turned against him and even his wife said, “Why don’t you just curse God and die?”

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” (Job 2:9)

However, in all of this Job was faithful to God and did not sin.

The Book of Job tells us that Job said,

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.” (Job 13:15-16)

Job believed in God’s deliverance and salvation; however, he believed that it would come beyond the grave.

“If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14)

However, God is a “right now” God of deliverance, salvation, and miracles.

Job did not have to wait until the resurrection before he could see a “change come” in his life.

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

The Bible tells us in the Gospel of John about a disciple of Jesus named Lazarus.

Lazarus became sick and his sisters, Martha and Mary, sent for Jesus to come and heal him.

“When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (John 11:4)

However, Jesus tarried and Lazarus died.

The Bibles says,

“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” (John 11:14-15)

Martha and Mary were mourning the loss of their brother after his funeral when they heard that Jesus was coming.

When they came to Jesus, He comforted them and assured them that Lazarus would live again. They expressed their faith by declaring they knew he would live again at the resurrection.

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24)

However, God is a “right now” God of deliverance, salvation, and miracles.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:26)

“She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:27)

Jesus called for them to remove the stone that covered the tomb of Lazarus and Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

The Bible says,

“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:44)

Sometimes, we don’t have to wait until we enter Heaven’s gates to behold the miraculous power of God.

There are times when God allows things to happen just so He can be glorified in the eyes of all who see Him do the impossible.

In the Gospel of John we read of a time that Jesus passed by a man who had been born blind.

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2)

“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3)

And similarly to the sixth day when God created man from the dust of the earth, Jesus took clay with spittle and again created from the earth. This time, He created what was lacking in the man’s eyes so that he might see.

“When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,” (John 9:6)

“And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” (John 9:7)

God has not changed. Even in this day and time, the Lord has prepared situations throughout the Earth where miracles are waiting to happen.

He is just looking for someone who is willing to go and enter into that situation with faith, someone who is willing to hear from God, and who is bold enough to obey and believe that with God, all things are possible.

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” (2Ch. 16:9)

The Lord is looking for someone that He can put His faith in. He is looking for someone who, like Job, will be steadfast in faith no matter what the circumstances.

He is looking for someone who is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to be a vessel fit for His use.

He is looking for someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to be the instrument God might use to reach a faithless and hurting world with the miraculous power of God.

To God be all the Glory.

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isa. 6:8)

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June 13, 2013 by Raymond Candy

A Powerful Sermon for Perilous Times

The Purpose of Peace

We are living in a time when the world is filled with fear and turmoil. Financial institutions and systems are failing. Governments are unsure of what to do.

We are witnessing political upheaval around the world. Natural disasters are increasing at an alarming rate. Crime rates and inhumane acts are on the rise.

We are living in a time spoken of by Jesus Christ long ago.

“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)

According to the Word of God, it will get worse before it gets better.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” (2Tim. 3:1)

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2Tim. 3:13)

Alcoholism and drug addiction have reached epidemic proportions as men try to escape from the bad news and turmoil that surrounds them.

Multitudes have turned to religion after realizing that the momentary relief the world has to offer is not the answer.

Sadly, often times they leave the religious services feeling worse than when they came.

Possibly now more than ever before, men need the peace of God that comes through Jesus Christ. Dismayed by vain religion, the peace they see in us may be the most powerful sermon they will ever hear.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

As much as we want to experience the peace of God in our life, our Heavenly Father wants us to have it even more than we do.

His desire for our peace is twofold. First, that we would be free from fear, worry, and anxiety for our own sakes.

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” (Psalm 35:27)

Secondly, that the world would see in us the manifestation of the one thing that cannot be found anywhere in all of creation except in the Lord Jesus Christ:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1Peter 3:15)

How can anyone know that we have hope within us? Hope is invisible:

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Rom. 8:24)

They know that we have hope because of what they do see. They see the peace that we walk in while other’s hearts are failing them for fear.

And when they ask us the reason for what they see, we are able to share with them our faith.

They will know the faith that we share is real because they have witnessed the proof of the Holy Spirit within us. The river of peace has flowed out from us and touched their lives.

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” (Isaiah 32:17)

Lives will be changed for all of eternity, and we will have the added peace of knowing that by choosing to walk in peace, we have made an eternal difference.

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June 12, 2013 by Raymond Candy

The Third Key to the Peace of God

The Peace in God’s Righteousness

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Cor. 5:21)

The last key in opening the floodgates to the river of God’s peace is having faith in the righteousness of God.

When difficult times arise and it seems as if our prayers are not being answered, we often feel that it’s because we have not been holy or righteous enough. We feel that we do not deserve the blessings and the peace of God that we have asked for.

That statement is absolutely true!

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

In our own selves, we could never be righteous or holy enough to deserve the blessings and the peace of God.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Rom. 3:10)

Someone might say, “I know that before I became a Christian I was a sinner and unrighteous. But even since becoming a Christian, I have failed the Lord so many times that I don’t see how the Lord could ever reward me with anything.”

As long as we believe that we can never have the peace of God because of our mistakes and our failures, then we will never have it.

Many Christians mistakenly believe that since God forgave them of their sinful past, now He expects them to be perfect. However, the Bible says:

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1John 1:10)

The Apostle John used the word “we” because he was speaking to fellow believers.

God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to strive for perfection!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1)

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.

“After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:5)

When Jesus came to Peter, Peter told Jesus that he would never allow Him to wash his feet. Jesus said to Peter that if he didn’t allow Him to wash his feet, then he would have no part with Him.

Peter replied, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

“Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” (John 13:10)

Jesus was using the example that even though a person has bathed, their feet might still get dirty as they walk around the dusty street in sandals. They don’t need to take another bath; they only need to cleanse their feet.

So it is spiritually as we live in this sinfully filthy world.

God understands that as long as we are in this present world, we are susceptible to temptation and failure.

There is a difference between those who turn from the faith and return to their old lifestyle, and those who stumble but get back up again and continue to follow the Lord.

Those who turn from the faith and return to their old lifestyle are compared to a pig returning to the mud:

“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2Peter 2:22)

Those who stumble or fail but get back up again are called the “just”:

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Prov. 24:16)

God has provided a cure for our failures through the blood of Jesus Christ.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1John 1:7)

Just as Jesus washed the dust and dirt that clung to the disciples’ feet, He will wash from us the stain of sin that clings to us when we yield to the temptation of the world.

When we repent and ask for God’s forgiveness then we are striving for perfection and there is no condemnation.

As the Heavenly Father looks upon us through the blood of Christ that has washed away our sins, He does not see our “imperfections”, but He sees us “perfected in Christ”.

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:14)

God’s willingness to hear and answer our prayer has nothing to do with whether we have or have not stumbled in our Christian walk. His deliverance from our troubles and His blessings upon our lives are not a reward to us for how good we have been.

His blessings are a reward given to Christ because of His obedience. He gives them to Christ by giving them to us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Eph. 1:3)

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Eph. 1:4)

Having faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and believing that God will hear, answer, and bless us based solely on how righteous and perfect Jesus is, will turn the last key and open the floodgates to the river of God’s peace that will keep our hearts and minds through Him.

Next: The Purpose of Peace

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June 11, 2013 by Raymond Candy

The Second Key to the Peace of God

The Peace in God’s Will

Fear is not the only thief that can rob us from having God’s peace. Worry and anxiety can also fill our thoughts and leave no room for the peace of God.

We worry and become anxious over situations in our life when we’re unsure that things are going to work out for our benefit. We ponder all of the possibilities and fear the worst.

It’s not a matter of believing whether God can hear our prayer and give us what we ask, but it’s a matter of being unsure whether it’s His will to do it.

Having faith in God’s will is the second key to opening the gate and releasing the flood of God’s peace to be manifested in our life.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

We must not forget that we didn’t choose God but that He chose and called us. We must not forget that we love Him because He first loved us.

Worry and anxiety grip our hearts when we lose our intimacy with God. Lack of fellowship and communion with Him causes us to lose sight of His will for our lives.

God has a purpose for our lives. He called us because we are unique and He has a plan and a will for us.

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…” (1Thess. 4:3)

The word “sanctification” simply means “to be set apart”. In the Greek it means “the state of purity.”

In other words, He has called us out of the darkness of the world and has “set us apart” so that He may work in our lives until He brings us into this purity or “perfection”.

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Col. 1:13)

God will not allow anything to interfere with His will being done in our lives to make us pure. No matter what arises in our lives to try and hinder us and pull us down, God will work everything out and overcome it so that in the end our lives will only be better.

It’s God who will work all things together for our good in order that He may purify us and bring us into perfection.

One example of this Biblical truth is the Old Testament story of Jacob and Joseph in Genesis chapters thirty seven through forty five.

Jacob had twelve sons but he favored Joseph above the rest. God had revealed to Joseph through his dreams that one day he would rule over the rest of his family.

Because of their father’s favoritism and Joseph’s dreams, his brothers sold Joseph into slavery and he was brought into Egypt.

Joseph was bought by an officer of Pharaoh named Potiphar and was placed over his household. After a period of time, Joseph was accused of a crime he didn’t commit and was placed in prison.

Joseph was given charge over all the prisoners and his gift for interpreting dreams became known. Joseph remained in prison for two years before his ability to interpret dreams was made known to Pharaoh.

God gave Pharaoh two dreams in one night that dealt with the future of Egypt. When Pharaoh’s magicians couldn’t give the interpretation of the dreams, they called for Joseph.

God revealed that there was going to be seven years of plenty throughout Egypt and then seven years of terrible famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh that he should build storage cities for grain and store up against the famine.

Pharaoh saw the wisdom and favor of God in Joseph and appointed him to oversee it. Joseph was made second to Pharaoh and ruled over all of Egypt. During the famine, all who needed food had to appear before Joseph.

From the time that Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery until the time that Pharaoh placed him as a ruler over Egypt, Joseph never lost his trust in God or his faith that God would fulfill His promises.

No matter what befell him that seemed contrary to the will of God for his life, he never became anxious or worried. Joseph never lost his peace.

Jacob, on the other hand, was a different story.

Joseph’s brothers had lied to their father and convinced Jacob that Joseph had been killed by wild beasts in the wilderness.

As the famine became severe, Jacob heard there was food in Egypt and he sent his oldest sons there to buy grain. When they arrived in Egypt, they were brought before Joseph, but the years had changed Joseph and his brothers didn’t recognize him.

Joseph decided to test his brothers, so he kept his brother Simeon as ransom and told them not to return again until they brought their youngest brother Benjamin with them.

Jacob refused to let them return back to Egypt with Benjamin. Eventually the famine became so severe they were faced with starvation, and that’s when Jacob resigned himself to the situation and made the statement:

“And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” (Gen. 42:36)

Jacob had come to a place where all he could see were the troubles and circumstances that were around him. He had forgotten the promises made by God to his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham.

Jacob had forgotten the will of God for his life. He forgot that God had promised Abraham that through him and his children their descendants would become as the stars in the sky for multitude. He had forgotten they were to become the nation and the people of God.

All Jacob believed now was that “all these things are against me” and they were at the mercy of a cruel and ruthless Egyptian ruler.

While Joseph never lost his peace through all of his tribulations and continued to have faith in God’s will for his life, Jacob had forgotten the will of God for him and his family and had allowed his heart to be filled with fear, despair, and anxiety.

The brothers took Benjamin and returned to Egypt. Once there, Joseph revealed himself, forgiving and convincing them that God had allowed all of these things to happen in order that they might be preserved and delivered from the famine.

They returned home to get Jacob and brought him, their households, and all their possessions back to Egypt where they grew and became a mighty nation.

Even when it seems that things are working against us instead of for us, God’s love and will never changes (Rom. 11:29), His thoughts about us cannot be numbered (Psalm 139:17), and they are always for our good and not for evil (Rom. 8:28).

So often we wonder if the specific choices we make are in agreement with the will of God for our life. We want God to speak audibly or show us a sign that we are making the right decision.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (1John 5:14)

The word “will” in this scripture literally means “purpose” or “decree” in the Greek. The decree of God is His written Word. If the choices we make are not contrary to the written Word of God, then we are in agreement with His will.

If our choices do not compromise the will of God for our “sanctification” but rather continue to lead us closer to Him in the direction of “holiness” and “purity”, then we are making choices according to His will.

And finally, if the choices we make give us peace in our hearts, then we are doing the will of God.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit…” (Rom. 8:16)

Satan can appear as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14) He can even attempt to imitate God’s voice and try to deceive us. He can cause visions, dreams, and signs. He is called the “tempter” and can try to tempt us to go against the will of God for our lives.

But he cannot imitate the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Gal. 5:22)

No matter what problems arise that seem to contradict the promises and blessings of God, we must continue to have faith in His love and in His will if we are to walk in His peace.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Heb. 12:14)

God loves us so much, that if in an honest and true heart we are about to make a decision contrary to God’s will, He is well able to stop us and show us the right way. He is God. Trust in Him.

Next: The Peace in God’s Righteousness

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June 10, 2013 by Raymond Candy

The First Key to the Peace of God

The Peace in God’s Love

There are three keys that will open the door to the peace of God that resides in our inner man. Once opened, this supernatural flood of God’s peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ.

These three keys all have to do with having faith in God.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)

These three keys are: (1) having faith in God’s love, (2) having faith in God’s will, and (3) having faith in God’s righteousness.

Before God’s peace can fill us to the overflowing, there must first be room for it. This involves the removal of fear. This is the first key.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1John 4:18)

There is only one perfect love and that is the love that comes from God, for God is love.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1John 4:16)

To have faith in God is to have faith in God’s love.

The Bible says that we did not choose God, but that God chose and called us. (John 15:16)

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)

We would not have even wanted to come to God and be saved if He had not put it in our hearts to do so.

The Bible says that while we were in our mother’s womb He saw us and chose us. He ordained how we would look and he fashioned us in the way that would please Him. (Psalm 139)

When we were ready, He put it in our hearts to desire Him and come to Christ, and now that He has us nothing can separate us from His love.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Rom. 8:35)

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom. 8:37)

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” (Rom. 8:38)

“Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:39)

God loves us no matter what!

God’s love is not based upon anything that we have or have not done.

God doesn’t love us because we read the Bible, attend Church, spend time in prayer, or give offerings. He’s pleased that we do these things, but that is not what causes Him to love us.

God doesn’t even love us because we have quit sinning and love Him, for the Bible says:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

God loves us simply because we exist.

“We love him, because he first loved us.” (1John 4:19)

He loves us because we are. Nothing can change His love for us. That’s what perfect love is. Nothing can affect it. Nothing can alter it. It does not change.

And it’s not a general, “love for all” kind of love. It’s a personal, intimate kind of love.

Before Christ died on the cross, God’s love was a love for all mankind.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

It was because of His love for all men that He gave His son, but now that His son has been given, God’s love for us is not only perfect but also personal.

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matt. 10:30)

Like a father admiring his child sleeping in the crib, our Heavenly Father looks upon us daily and counts the hairs upon our heads. He knows exactly what we will need before we even need it, and has prepared it in advance.

“Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matt. 6:8)

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

He who knows the ending from the beginning is never surprised or unprepared, but has already solved the problem before it even appears.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cor. 10:13)

The first step in having God’s peace is to understand and believe in God’s perfect love for us, that nothing can change or alter it, and that it’s not based upon anything except for the fact that we are His creation.

Because of His love for us, God will do whatever it takes to preserve us. Knowing and believing this will drive away all fear from our hearts and will prepare us to be filled with the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Next: The Peace in God’s Will

$9.99 at bn.com for the Nook, amazon.com for the Kindle, the iBookstore on iTunes for the iPad, and Lulu.com for the PC and all other e-reading devices

June 9, 2013 by Raymond Candy

Definition of Peace

Receiving Peace

“Peace 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.” (John 14:27)

Just as love is the opposite of hate, peace is the opposite of fear. In the same way that we can’t love and hate someone at the same time (James 3:12), we can’t have peace and fear at the same time. Peace is the absence of fear.

This doesn’t mean that we’ll never be afraid. Unexpected situations and circumstances will always arise that can cause us to be surprised and have sudden fear, or to be temporarily afraid.

But there is a place in Christ where the mind numbing, heart gripping state of fear cannot exist. This is when we are walking in the peace of God.

The apostles were a good example of this.

Before the Holy Ghost came on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were always finding themselves in situations where they were fearful.

Whether it was a storm on the sea, the announcement of a child’s death, or the unexpected appearance of Christ walking on the water, Jesus was always reminding them to not be afraid.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

However, after the Day of Pentecost had come and the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, they began to walk in a new found state of peace that only the Holy Spirit could produce.

This peace was so powerful that fear could not exist in its presence.

The night before Peter was to be executed, instead of being filled with fear and worry, he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. The angel of the Lord had to slap him on his side to wake him up before he could miraculously remove his chains and rescue Peter from the prison cell. (Acts 12:6-7)

Paul and Silas also dwelt in this state of peace. After having been beaten and thrown into the dungeon for their testimony of Christ, they sang songs and hymns at midnight.

Their peace was so great that instead of escaping, they and all the prisoners continued to stay in their cells after God sent an earthquake to open all of the prison doors.

Upon witnessing this miracle of peace, the jailer and his whole household accepted Christ and were saved. (Acts 16:23-33)

This kind of peace was not only for the apostles, disciples, and the early church. The same Holy Spirit that indwelled them and produced this miraculous condition is the same Holy Spirit that comes and lives inside of us today.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)

The same river of peace that flowed inside the apostles is flowing inside of every believer today who has been born again and received the Holy Spirit.

However, there are many who have yet to discover the keys that will unlock the gate and allow the river to not only flow inside their spirit, but also fill their hearts and minds.

In other words, that this peace would not only reside within them, but would also be manifested in their lives.

Next: The Peace in God’s Love

$9.99 at bn.com for the Nook, amazon.com for the Kindle, the iBookstore on iTunes for the iPad, and Lulu.com for the PC and all other e-reading devices

January 28, 2013 by Raymond Candy

The Manifested Peace of God

“Peace 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.” (John 14:27)

Just as love is the opposite of hate, peace is the opposite of fear. In the same way that we can’t love and hate someone at the same time (James 3:12), we can’t have peace and fear at the same time. Peace is the absence of fear.

This doesn’t mean that we will never be afraid. Unexpected situations and circumstances will always arise that can cause us to be surprised and have sudden fear, or to be temporarily afraid.

But there is a place in Christ where the mind numbing, heart gripping state of fear cannot exist. This is when we are walking in the peace of God.

The apostles were a good example of this.

Before the Holy Ghost came on the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were always finding themselves in situations where they were fearful. Whether it was a storm on the sea, the announcement of a child’s death, or the unexpected appearance of Christ walking on the water, Jesus was always reminding them to not be afraid.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

However, after the Day of Pentecost had come and the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost, they began to walk in a new found state of peace that only the Holy Spirit could produce.

This peace was so powerful that fear could not exist in its presence.

After Peter had been arrested and imprisoned, and the night before he was to be executed, instead of being filled with fear and worry, he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. The angel of the Lord had to slap Peter on his side to wake him up before he could miraculously remove his chains and rescue Peter from the prison cell. (Acts 12:6-7)

Paul and Silas also dwelt in this state of peace. After having been beaten and thrown into the dungeon for their testimony of Christ, they sang songs and hymns at midnight. Their peace was so great that instead of escaping, they and all the prisoners continued to stay in their cells after God sent an earthquake to open all of the prison doors.

Upon witnessing this miracle of peace, the jailer and his whole household accepted Christ and were saved. (Acts 16:23-33)

This kind of peace was not only for the apostles, disciples, and the early church.

The same Holy Spirit that indwelled them and produced this miraculous condition is the same Holy Spirit that comes and lives inside of us today.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)

The same river of peace that flowed inside the apostles is flowing inside of every believer today who has been born again and received the Holy Spirit.

However, there are many who have yet to discover the keys that will unlock the gate and allow the river to not only flow inside their spirit, but also fill their hearts and minds.

In other words, that this peace would not only reside within them, but would also be manifested in their lives.

(To be continued…)

Tomorrow: The Key to Unlocking the Peace that is found in the Love of God

Available for $2.99 at bn.com for the Nook, amazon.com for the Kindle, and at the iBookstore on iTunes for the iPad

Available for $2.99 at bn.com for the Nook, amazon.com for the Kindle, the iBookstore on iTunes for the iPad, and at Lulu.com for all other e-reading devices

December 10, 2012 by Raymond Candy

How to Walk in the Peace of God: Part 2