Called to Christ

Colossians 3:15 (New International Version)

[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.


Peace. What is peace? Let's take a look at the definition straight out of the original.

1) a state of national tranquillity
    a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4) of the Messiah's peace
    a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death

Check out some of these definitions! Particularly take attention to 3, 4 and 5--these are the aspects of peace I'm going to highlight.

3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity

I think we all can agree that we know about this part of peace. It's family at Thanksgiving, it's the lion playing with the lamb, it's a little touch of heaven-meets-earth.

4) of the Messiah's peace
       a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)


From this definition we get a new idea of peace; that it is a product of salvation. We see that Jesus gave us peace on the cross, a product of his most distressful time on earth. This peace comes after and as a product of tribulation. It is a victor's peace. To expound a little further on this, lets move on to 5.

5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is

So peace is security and assurity--that Christ has brought us salvation and that God has pardoned our transgressions. Peace is a knowledge and perception of God.

So let's take another look into Colossians 3:15

[15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

What does it mean to be called to peace? What peace is Paul talking about here?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7

It struck me this morning as I myself was looking up the definition of peace. We are called to peace--we are called to salvation--to the assurity of knowing God as our redemption--to that which 'transcends all understanding.' Definition 3) Security, safety, prosperity, felicity of what? Definition 4) of a Messiah--of salvation. Salvation from whom? Definition 5) salvation through Christ. Result? (5 cont) and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. We are called to peace--we are called to Christ.

[20] May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
[21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. -Hebrews 13:20-21

Today's World of Entertainment

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

 [8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


There is a subject which will always stir me up; today's world of entertainment. Musics, movies, games, books, what is this generation turning to pass the time with?


Starting this spring I cut movies nearly completely out of my life; I became convicted, realizing that the movies I watched had a direct relationship with my mood, attitude, and actions. They had a handle on my life and time that I should have spent communing with God turned to endorse violence, sexual immorality, crudeness, and vulgarity.
 
"But wait," you say, "Not all movies are like that!"

My answer to that is, Enough of them are. It isn't worth it to me any more to wade through the garbage to find a few good movies--and even 'good' 'safe' movies can take up a good part of your time.

 Horrors and thrillers (generally speaking) open your mind to Satanic influence; it's real and I've seen it happen. Yes there are the few that have good solid themes, but ask yourself this; is it truly worth wading through the pile of pig manure to find one pearl? See No Evil, The Hitcher, Paranormal Activity, Hide and Seek, the list goes on and on and those examples aren't even recent releases. Everything you see and hear has a huge effect on you. Line your movies up with Philippians 4:8, line your movies up with what your conscience tells you, but more importantly, line your movies up with God.



I am truly disturbed at what kids these days are listening to, stuff they call music. Music? It's chalk-full of swearing, themes of sexual immorality, violence, hate, racism, slander, hopelessness... Is that what you want to fill your mind with?


The power of music is incredible, and though I maintain that music in and of itself is amoral--a God-given tool of expression--used wrongly and mixed with today's lyrics it takes a devastating toll. Music has HUGE influences on the mind, it affects all kinds of things simply through the way it is composed at the core. Now let me tell you there are alot of sounds coming out of the record industry that I would be ashamed to call music, and there are words coming out of the headphones of 10-year-olds that I would be ashamed to say to my parents or even my peers.


Christians! Whatever is true! What ever is noble! Whatever is right, pure and lovely! Whatever is admirable or praiseworthy, think about these things!

Christian youth! This is an appeal! Come back to your God, come back to your families, come back to your lives! Stop living in and of the world, stop prostituting yourself to the world and Satan. Come back to your First Love!  Stop living the way you've been living, stop watching and listening to the things you've been watching and listning to; dwell on Godly things! Do not give yourselves up as Israel gave herself up in adultery,to the nations.


This is an appeal; Christians, return to your God. Renew your faith in the great I Am. He is so much more than the world's promise of happiness, entertainment. You cannot serve God and entertainment, so stop and check yourself because He is so much more.

Night Watchman

The night is silent; indeed, silent as the grave. And the mist beyond the window-panes can only add to the illusion and alude the more. The silence is unbroken.
It is a good night to be a night watchman... to be young Samuel, listening to the voice of the Lord. It is a good night to listen. And so here I sit, watching, listening... readying myself for what end I do not know, only that I must be ready.

It is a good day to be ready. It is a good day to be watchful, to listen... It is a good day to hear the word of the Lord. It is a good day for you. NightWatchmen, Samuels, Brothers and Sisters, awake. Awake and see your king coming! Awake and hear the voice of Him. Look and see; tonight is a good night to see. Look, Listen, Trust... Do not slumber!

In the stillness of night... in the Peace of turmoil.. in the place of suffering, there is your God. There is your God, worthy of all worship, honour and glory. Worthy the Lamb who was slain. Even in this dark night, look! Listen! He who is worthy comes. Watchmen to the high places for he comes, and with him a mighty host of heaven to free the captives. A mighty host of heaven. Do not slumber. Do not sleep.

Watch, Wait, Listen... Obey... Trust and Obey.

[6] This is what the Lord says to me:

“Go, post a lookout and have him report
what he sees. [7] When he sees chariots
with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or
riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.”

Isaiah 21:6-7

Romans 13:1-7

Romans 13



Submission to Governing Authorities


[1] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. [2] Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [3] For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. [4] For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.


[6] This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. [7] Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.