Author: Dr Glen

“Perfect Peace”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Many times we can feel over whelmed with everything that is going on around us and sometimes wonder “why is this happening to me?” If we are not careful we can easily get caught up in what is going on in the world and loose our focus on what we need to do to obtain and keep “perfect peace.”

If we allow fear to be our main focus, it will be extremely difficult to obtain the victory over tribulations that come our way.

There will be individuals around us that might be experiencing the same tribulations that we are experiencing, but are allowing fear to control what they see and how they feel.

Mark 4:41 “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

This was the response from the disciples when they were on a boat in a storm on the sea after Jesus rebuked the wind, and spoke to the sea.  

Mark 4:37 “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.”

Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

As believers, we have the authority to speak to storms, trials and tribulations and command the presence of “perfect peace” to rule in the place of fear and experience freedom from disturbances or unrest.”

Philippians 4:6,7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Vs 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The “peace” of God surpasses all understanding. When others around you allow themselves to be overwhelmed by what is happening, and you are calm because of having “perfect peace”, this type of peace will not be understood by those around you. It is hard for them to understand why you are not acting, or behaving the way that they are, and the question might even be asked about you “what’s wrong with them, don’t they see what’s happening?”

“With peace comes strength”

Isaiah 26:3,4 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” vs 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”

Because of God’s grace and mercy, He will provide strength with His peace. All we have to do is keep our mind on Jesus

“With peace comes safety”

Psalms 91:1,2 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him will I trust.”

Because of God’s grace and mercy, He will provide safety with His peace. All we have to do is trust Him.

“With peace comes rest“

Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.“

Because of God’s grace and mercy, He will give us rest with His peace. All we have to do is come to Him.

Lord you said in your word that you have overcome this world that we live in. Thank you for the “perfect peace” we can have that comes from only you…in Jesus name. Amen!   

Continuing in His service…Rev

One person can make a world difference

Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”

Because of Noah’s grace with God, he not only made “a world a difference”, he “made a difference in the world.”

Genesis 6:7 “So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.”

Noah was one person who was able to “make a difference” by becoming an instrument in saving mankind from total destruction by the flood.

Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

Noah’s priority was to be focused on having a righteous lifestyle that was pleasing to God.

Genesis 6:14 “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch.”

Noah was singled out by God from his contemporaries and God chose him as the person to accomplish this great work.

Genesis 6:13 “And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has become before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Violence and corruption filled the earth during this time that Noah was living. The reason that Noah stood out as one who “walked with God”, was because he did not allow what was going on around him to affect his fellowship with God.

Genesis 6:22“Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Because of Noah’s faith in God and his obedience to what God commanded him to do, Noah became “one person that made a difference”. Noah’s family, the many animals and every living thing that was in the ark during the flood, survived the flood.

Genesis 8:1“Then God remember Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.”

After the flood, Noah continued to show his faith and displayed his gratefulness to God by building an alter and making a sacrifice, which God accepted.

Genesis 8:20 “Then Noah built an alter to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the alter”. Vs 21”And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in his heart, I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.”

Many times we may feel that what we are doing is some thing small, minor or of no significance. That way of thinking can be a distraction and keep us from accomplishing what God has instructed or commanded us to do. When God commands us to do something, let us remember the powerful example that Noah displayed.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

All of mankind have benefited from what Noah did, Noah was truly a person that made “a world of difference”. 

” Lord Jesus, may your people remain focused on what you have commanded them to do, and remember the example that Noah displayed.” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev.

 

Giving Thanks

Ephesians 5:20  “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ“ (KJV)

The Thanksgiving holiday will be celebrated this week by many Americans and others in countries around the world. It is recognized as a day to give thanks for the blessings received in the previous year.

Some will celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday based on religious principles and some will acknowledge it as a traditional point of view.

It is not always easy to have an “attitude of gratitude” when someone is in hard times of a trial or tribulation.

Some may ask the question “how can I give thanks for what I am going through right now?”

1st Thessalonians 5:16, 17 and 18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

A person can look at a half of glass of water two different ways. They can say it is half full, or they can say it is half empty. Either way, it is still a half glass of water. How a person looks at what they are experiencing can make a big difference with the outcome of the experience.

God has a way of developing what he has deposited in us by allowing trails or tribulations to come our way.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have trials and tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

When a person looks at the glass of water as being half full, that person can have the “peace and good cheer” that the scripture speaks of. They will give thanks for having a glass of water that is half full.

When a person looks at the glass of water being half empty, that person could be looking at the half glass of water as having “trials and tribulation”, and not giving thanks for what they have.

Saying the words “thank you” is a small but powerful phrase that can go a long way towards acknowledging kindness that is big or small. It is an expression of one’s gratitude of a benefit or favor that they have received.    

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”    

As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, I would encourage everyone to look at what they can give thanks for not only on Thanksgiving Day, but to give thanks each and every day of the year.

“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me”

Happy Thanksgiving…Rev

“The Good Shepherd”

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd”

David experienced many hardships and challenges that many of us still face today.

Often times when someone mentions David, they automatically think about a young shepherd boy who rose to become a great King and who also wrote many of the Psalms. The 23^rd Psalm is the one that may come to most people’s mind.

In the 23^rd Psalm David progressively unveils his personal relationship with the Lord.

 Vs. 1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

David states that He (the Lord) is, and makes it personal.

• He is Lord
• He is a shepherd
• He is a provider

A shepherd is:

• A person who takes care of sheep
• A person who provides protection for the flock
• A person who searches each day for an area where the sheep can graze and be watered

Vs. 2 ^“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.“

David describes the rest, peace and direction that he receives from his Shepherd.

Vs. 3 “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.“

David describes what God does if or when we back slide, and how He leads his sheep down the right path, to give God the glory:

• He (God) restores us back to Him in good standing and then leads us in the right direction to insure we stay in good standing

Vs.4  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

David again describes how God is with us to help us go in the right direction, especially if we are in the presence of evil or danger.

We are living in perilous times. At any given time of the day or night, we can be in the presence of danger. Because He (God) is the great “I am” and is omnipresent, we as believers do not have fear of danger or the presence of evil. Why? Because of God’s peace that surpasses all understanding is upon us giving us comfort.

Vs.5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

David describes how God will bless us:

• God will not only bless us – but He will do it in a way that other people will clearly see you being blessed and how the blessing is over flowing
• God anoints the sheep with oil
• Provides plenty to drink (my cup runs over) there is more than enough

Vs.6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever.”

David describes how God’s blessings will continue to follow us each day of our lives. (David gives the reader hope of having eternal life with God in heaven).

^{Blessings in the 23rd Psalms}

1. The Lord is their Shepherd
2. No want for anything
3. Being able to rest in choice green pastures
4. Guidance to still, waters that are deep restful and refreshing
5.  Having restoration of the soul
6. Guidance in righteous paths for His names sake without the danger of falling or going astray
7. Having safe travel through the areas of ravines where there is danger, wild beasts and unsure footing on rocks
8. Being able to have no fear of evil because of the shepherds constant protection and watch
9. Receiving the comfort of the rod and staff of the shepherd that he uses to fight and protect against dangers or threats
10.  Abundance of food to be eaten in the presence of  enemies
11. Receiving an anointing with precious oil
12. Plenty to drink preventing to quench any thirst
13. Having the confidence that these blessings along with goodness and mercy are not just for a day, but for a life time
14. Reassuring faith of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever

John 14 :1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

” Lord Jesus, thank you for being the good Shepherd that watches over, protects, and provides…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev