Peace And Goodwill Towards Men. Part [1] 12/27/2023 (Evening thought)

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

As the angels of God announced the birth of Jesus, the purpose of God towards the human family was enshrined in their song, a singular purpose of peace and goodwill toward men, which has always been God’s will from the beginning, and which could be materialized in our world, if we were to cooperate with the heavenly agencies. Peace and goodwill do not come by accident in our world.

Nations do not just stop fighting one another, nor do opposing political parties suddenly come to a peaceful reconciliation, without well directed efforts in harmony with the purposes and power of God. When Jesus walked this earth, He manifested in His person and in all of His doings what peace and good will look like in real time and He demonstrated all of the ways and means, principles and laws whereby they are to be accomplished.

Both Christ’s character, and the many ways in which He implemented peace and good will, should be the theme and study of all who desire peace, which has become an increasingly scarce commodity on earth. The study for today will focus squarely on the basic Godly principles whereby peace and goodwill are to be achieved. Several of them would be highlighted in the life of Christ, and then a practical application will be made in our own sphere, if we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

Overcoming Tailormade Temptations. Part [18] 12/26/2023 Morning thought)

1st Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 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 you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Tailormade temptations can be likened to precision guided missiles, but they can all be shot down, if the Christian is found fully clad with the armor, found in the book of Ephesians. Christians must, at all times be connected to the Source of our strength, for it is too often the case that some are disconnected and do not know.

[The Desire of Ages pp 324] When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one.

In the wee hours of the morning, before the worry and cares of the day begin to take a toll upon us, let us set aside some time alone with God, so that He may strengthen us as He did Jesus, to face all of the unforeseen barrages of temptations that may come our way. We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which delineates the grim nature of the conflicts, and the need for the Christian to be clad in Christlike armor from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet at all times.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!