And the Peace of God, Which Passes All Understanding Shall Keep Your Hearts and Minds Through Christ Jesus - Part 1597

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9)

When we come to the Lord Jesus, our minds and hearts are changed -- if so that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4:20-21) We are renewed in the spirit of our mind, so that we put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24) Moreover, no longer do we have the sentence of death in ourselves that we should trust in ourselves, but rather, in God which raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that He will yet deliver [us]." (II Corinthians 1:9-10)

Yes, Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending -- who willingly became the perfect sacrifice on the cross for you and I. He shed His blood so that we might experience His free gift of salvation. The exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe in Jesus the Christ by faith and are then baptized in His precious Name -- the Name of Jesus! (Revelation 1:8,11; Ephesians 1:19; Acts 2:36-47)

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ ..." (Ephesians 1:7-10)

The greatest love story ever told, that after His kindness and love, God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

Thus, our rejoicing is this -- the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. But not in order to have dominion over one's faith, as Paul wrote unto the church of God which is at Corinth, and to all the saints which are in all Acahaia, but that we "are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:12, 24)

Indeed, we have a high calling that supersedes the wisdom and knowledge of this world, for the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

"Now He which stablish us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God; who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts ..." (II Corinthians 1:22)

" .... which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His glory, wherefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set [Him] at His own right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to be] the Head over all [things] to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:14-23)

This is why we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but instead fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles, and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner -- in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18-22)

How? According to the eternal purpose which He purposed for us in Christ Jesus.

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for He is our peace." (Ephesians 2:13-14)

Repent and ask the Lord Jesus into your heart today. Open a new testament and begin to understand His peace and joy that surpasses all human understanding. Let Him cuddle you in His loving arms. Stand in the offering plate.