PRINCE OF PEACE - for the DISTURBANCES OF LIFE

“And His name shall be called....Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6Prince of Peace –This takes care of the disturbances of life. In the storms of life, how we long for peace within! What we wouldn’t give to have poise and confidence in a threatening world! The answer is Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. When he controls the government of your life, he gives you a peace that passes all understanding and explanation.The Apostles were infatuated with this concept of Peace. Every one of them spoke of the reality of “peace.” Peace has many different meanings; it has become all things to all people.Peace – Shalom: which means much more than silence or the absence of war. It has very little if nothing to do with the situation on the outside, or the circumstances of life.I’ve watched people sitting in the quiet beauty of nature, growing restless with inactivity, smoking one cigarette after another, drinking one cocktail after another, and complaining of boredom. I’ve also watched people in the midst of the noisy city smiling and laughing, surrounded by the abrasive sounds. I’ve heard them whistle and sing, and I’ve realized that they were at peace in the midst of confusion.The only difference? PEACE… THE PEACE OF CHRIST.Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of God. It is simply Harmony with God. Peace puts us back together again. Together with God. No more SHAME, GUILT, CONDEMNATION, FEAR AND TERROR ARE ERASED…"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27NKJ)orPeace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:17 AMPThink about the Peace of Jesus.

1. He fell asleep in the ship in the midst of a storm so threatening that his disciples were afraid for their life.

1. He looked at 5000 hungry people and assured His disciples that He knew what to do.

1. The professional mourners at the home of Jairus laughed in His face when He told them the little girl was only sleeping, but He calmly entered the room and raised her from the dead.

1. Even the two demoniacs in the graveyard did not frighten him.

1. In the garden Peter pulled a sword and declared war, but Jesus calmly faced the mob and surrendered.

1. Even at the travesty of a trial, Jesus moved from judge to judge, “as a lamb to the slaughter,”. Pilate marveled at his silence. Most prisoners cursed, this one prayed.  "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."…  (Luke 24:34 NKJ)

1. They offered him a wine, (narcotic) but he would have not part of an anthesis.

Our Lord’s peace did not come from a narcotic, but from the depths of his soul where he fellowshipped with the Father. What we do depends on who we are. And who we are depends on who we are in relationship with. The secret of the Lord’s Peace was His relationship with the Father. The Prince of Peace was and is in right relationship with the Father… He possessed “righteousness”... HE IS RIGHTEOUSNESS! THE RESULTS OF WHICH WAS UNDISTURBED REST….The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. (Is. 32:17-18 NIV)THAT IS HOW THE BIBLE DESCRIBES PEACE!!! Due to His right standing with God He knew that the Father would ultimately preserve Him. Jesus the Prince of Peace came not only to show Peace but to Give Peace to every man. HIS PEACE“For He Himself is our peace,...” EPH 2:14PEACE IS A GIFT! THAT GIFT IS A PERSON. A PERSON WHO CAME TO RECONCILE US TO OUR FATHER…"...and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (COL 1:20CNKJ)" Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (ROM 5:1 NKJ)IF HE IS IN RIGHT-STANDING WITH THE FATHER… AND WE ARE IN RIGHT-STANDING WITH HIM. HE IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS….WE HAVE PEACE…Jesus the Prince of Peace lived very “undisturbed by the world around Him.” He came to give peace??? What is it ? Dr. George Morrison says it is, “the possession of adequate resources”IT IS A GIFT THAT IS IRREVERSIBLEFor the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has mercy on you. (IS. 54:10NKJ)Jesus came to restore Peace to you and to me! Peace that is the results of One dying for the many! Of One who gave His life that we might live His life. He humbled himself to death, death on a cross. Peace is not the results of the display of strength, but of faith in the Love of the Father who is only seen in the act of complete trust (faith) in that Love to resurrect the life that surrenders.One Act of Love changed the World. He came to the least and the lowest. He is the Prince of Peace. We today celebrate that Peace and we too should walk in that Peace. Give that Peace. Let that Peace rule in every area, in every season, and in every situation...I began this season with that question “Can one act of love change the world?” For me, obviously the answer is yes! The birth of Jesus brought Peace to all of humanity. The question that remains for each of us is will we be PEACE MAKERS?Matt. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Merry Christmas!!!