12 Jan 2015 by Reverend Dr Jai Kumar –
Have you ever wondered how much of effort and time have been deployed all over the world trying to achieve peace? But unfortunately very little have been achieved despite all the negotiations and effort. And the cry for world peace is a question that is hanging over many nations today.
Individually as well, man is chasing for peace in his life. I suppose he is willing to pay any price but yet he is not finding it because he is looking for it in the wrong place.
Peace is a calm quite assurance and confidence that no matter what is happening around you the God of the universe has not lost control.
Jesus said: In Me you may have peace” (John 16:33). Jesus also told His disciples, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).
Peace with God depends upon how deep and strong, our level of relationship goes with Him. Until a person receives Jesus Christ as personal Savior, he or she will have no genuine peace. Some people may experience happiness outside of God that may last only for a while but to experience the kind of deep inner stillness of peace that endures indefinitely can only be attained by that genuine fellowship with God.
The Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom’, which encompasses every aspect of our lives! Prosperity, health, balance, besides the total gift of grace through the finished work of CHRIST on the Cross.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philip 4:7). The wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion, has a teachable spirit, willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy, compassion and good deeds. It is whole-hearted, straightforward and sincere. And those who are peace makers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness (James 3:17-18).
THE ENEMY IS AFTER YOUR PEACE
Many of us are ignorant of the fact that there is so much power in peace. When you have peace it’s like you have a hedge build around you to protect you. But the fact of the matter is that the Bible says, there is nowhere you will find peace except in Jesus. So when you have Jesus you are bestowed with the grace of God. Grace is everything that you literally need in order to function harmoniously and peacefully in this life. It’s the sustaining power that will carry you through from one level to another no matter what your circumstances may be.
Have you ever discovered that the first territory the enemy wants to take over is your ‘peace’ because that’s the seat of your power that keeps you healthy and well, protected and safe!
The devil is all out to get you upset and the only way he could do it is by stealing your peace. The moment he succeeds, he can get you off-balanced and make you run in circles. Then he will sit back and smile all the way through.
ANGER IS A TOOL THE ENEMY USES TO MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR PEACE
The enemy is like a person who throws a stone at you and hides behind a tree so that he can trigger the anger in you. The moment you lose your peace anger sets in.
Eph. 4:26
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath,”
How do you manage your anger? You know what? Anger is not a sin; but not managing it is! The Bible says, “Anger resides in the lap of fools” (Ecc 7:9).
One thought of school says, the reason why we get mad at someone, it’s because we obviously care for that person! We care for that situation! Otherwise, we wouldn’t let someone know how you feel if you didn’t care for them. I wonder how of you would agree with this thought.
But you know what? We fail to understand something! We fail to understand how to express our feelings in ways that would bring better results. Instead of yelling at someone who has gone wrong and struggling in their problems, we need to explain the consequences and try to help them get out of it. You will win them by attraction and not by pressure! But on the other hand you also need to have the kind of wisdom to be able to recognize that there are things you can’t control, like other people’s actions and attitudes.
THE DEVIL WANTS TO GET YOU OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD
Not only does anger harm you, it’s also satan’s strategy for getting you out of the will of God. That’s why Paul said, “Be angry but don’t stay angry.”
“But I have a reason to be angry,” you say!! So did Joseph, yet he fed those who imprisoned him! And blessed those who betrayed him! In so doing, he prospered and was set free from his anger! Your prosperity! Your blessing! Your miracle! Your favor and well-being rest within your power to walk in God’s will: That’s His standard! That’s His way! It’s one thing to be angry; it’s another to sound off at the wrong time.
Remember ,
A fool uttereth all his mind but a wise man keepth it till the end (Prov. 29:11)
Listen! Next time you get all worked up! You get angry! Ask yourself, “What is the enemy trying to do here?” So often we justify ourselves and say, “I have a reason to be angry!”. “I have a reason to be upset!”. You know what? When you are angry, when you are upset, that’s when he takes control of your life and manipulates you further. He will use your weakness to promote his agenda to conquer you. That’s where you lose your joy! And when you lose your joy, you will sink into another level by losing your strength. Because the joy of the Lord is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:9)
Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless .
People who have outburst of anger actually have a spirit of rejection. They have rage in them and many times they can’t control their anger. They are very explosive and fierce. They will either hit the opponent or hit anything around. That’s why when you enter their living environment you will notice a lot of damages around. You will be surprised that people with anger and rage will demonstrate supernatural strength and that is a “Demonised spirit.” That’s a spirit of anger and rage that enters into a person and controls you BECAUSE OF A SPIRIT OF REJECTION INSIDE THEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN SERIOUSLY DELT WITH IN THEIR LIFE.
A FORGIVING HEART BRINGS PROSPERITY TO YOUR LIFE
Remember the life of Joseph. He fed those who imprisoned and abused him. He blessed those who betrayed him. You know what? In so doing, he prospered and was favoured by God to BECOME SECOND IN COMMAND OF A NATION AND A CIVILIZATION THAT WAS SO ADVANCED IN HISTORY, a level he could hardly imagine! Joseph had a forgiving heart! Joseph controlled his emotions! And he was set free from his anger and revenge over his own brothers.
You just need to learn how to express your feelings in a more productive way that will not hinder God’s blessing and favour, which can only flow into your life when you can dwell in PEACE.
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is also the representative of Faith International Bible School for Malaysia & Singapore. He is the founder and senior pastor of Full Gospel Outreach Ministry KL. A member of ECCM (Malaysia) Spiritual Adviser & overseer to various ministries and churches. An itinerant speaker with a passion for missions. He is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’
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This is indeed a huge subject that Rev. Dr. Jai Kumar has indeed timely taken on though within the space allocated. For one thing it has many perspectives to it. One important aspect of it is quite definitely inviting JESUS CHRIST into your heart WHO HIMSELF IS PEACE. He had covered this well. This is the internal aspect of peace. AND if we consider the second part to this inner peace as then quoted as above in Col 3:13 and if I may in expanding it, to include Col 3:12-17, this could bring peace all around us at least in our sphere of influence. And if many across every border, doing the same, this may achieve the peace in the world as an eventual and deserving outcome that has been so far just so elusive and out of reach for so many across the tumultuous world. GOD BLESS and SHALOM ELOHIM to all.