Good morning all!
Father, I pray the world would know the power of Your love and grace. Let it rain down today and wash over our lives, our families, our schools, our government and every area that’s in need of Your touch. I pray we all find peace today and keep it as the treasure You created it to be, Amen. I think there are times in life where it may be hard to find an answer to certain things, and when that happens it’s usually because the answer is us. Finding peace?
Jeremiah 29
Jer 29:4 KJV – Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
Thus says the One in charge of the world, you too church, ALL that are taken captive, I caused you to go from your comfy little place to a less than desirable place.
Jer 29:5 KJV – Build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
When you get there build a nice house, live in it; plant your favorite fruits and vegetables and enjoy them.
Jer 29:6 KJV – Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
Find a nice wife and have plenty of children, and let children get married and have grandchildren, you will increase and NOT disappear.
Jer 29:7 KJV – And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
SEEK peace with the people in Babylon where I CAUSED you to go, and pray for Babylon: this is the true peace and you will have it.
Bottom line
What did God tell the church to SEEK when He sent them as captives? Let’s start with what HE didn’t tell them to seek which is what the false prophets at that time were seeking, the 3 R’s, Retaliation…Revenge…Retribution…they all died by the way…oops. God says seek the 3 P’s…this is why Christians plant peas in their garden…peas in a pod…cheesy…sorry…back to the 3 P’s…Power…Prosperity…Peace. What does power look like for the Christian? Well maybe we should look to the most powerful Christian to ever walk this earth…yes, Jesus Christ.
Jhn 10:18 KJV – No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. First, what gave Jesus His power? Following the command of His Father, He came with the full endorsement and backing of the creator of the universe…when you do that how can you fail? Second is the actual command that gave full demonstration of His power…He laid it down. Have you ever asked yourself if Jesus descended from Heaven, He could have landed anywhere in the world so why did He choose such a hostile place to face such adversity? Call me crazy but I would have chosen a place like Captiva island, it’s beautiful, tucked away and not very populated. Of course that’s extremely selfish and it would have NO impact on the world, that’s the point.
Luk 10:1 KJV – After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. This is known as the great commission Jesus sends out the seventy NOT to Captiva island but into EVERY city and place. And listen it’s clear to me the task He gives them…lambs among wolves…get ready it ain’t gonna be easy that’s why I give you the power to LAY IT DOWN…seek peace. You say, that seems like a tall order, is that even possible? Let’s read on.
Luk 10:17 KJV – And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. ALL seventy returned which means they lost NONE, and how did they return after facing all the wolves? With fear? Tears? Horror stories? Oh according to scripture it says JOY, what does that world look like? Could it be a world of true peace? And what if we’re one of the seventy? Hey wait a second, wasn’t Israel captive in Babylon for 70 years also? You don’t suppose 70 has some spiritual meaning? Could it be when you and I have a revelation of what the true power of the church looks like? And maybe since ALL 70 returned maybe it represents the fullness of the church united as one? Peace really has nothing to do with our geography or the circumstances we face today, it has everything to do with the power God has given to us to be a lamb and lay it down.
Point to Ponder
What about the fullness of the church? Isa 19:25 KJV – Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [be] Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. Again the Lord of the universe says Egypt, Assyria and Israel are MY people, maybe His church includes more than ours?
Let’s all give the fruit of peace, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends
