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When we put on the Armor of God we are told - Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

shālôm, and its related words shālēm, shelem and their derivatives, are among the most important theological words in the OT. shālôm occurs over 250 times …

shālôm means "absence of strife" in approximately fifty to sixty usages; "Peace," in this case, means much more than mere absence of war. Rather, the root meaning of the verb shālēm better expresses the true concept of shālôm. Completeness, wholeness, harmony, fulfillment, are closer to the meaning. Implicit in shālôm is the idea of unimpaired relationships with others and fulfillment in one’s undertakings.

To wish one shālôm implies a blessing (II Sam 15:27); to withhold shālôm implies a curse (I Kgs 2:6). In modern Hebrew shālôm is used for "hello" and "goodby."

shālôm is the result of God’s activity in covenant (bĕrı̂t), and is the result of righteousness (Isa 32:17). In nearly two-thirds of its occurrences, shālôm describes the state of fulfillment which is the result of God’s presence.

His promise to David in I Chr 22:9-10 puts shālôm in context with "calmness," "rest," and "to be quiet," as these are gifts from God.

The classic statement of this concept is the Aaronic benediction (Num 6:24-26) which identifies the man to whom God has given shālôm as the one who is blessed, guarded, and treated graciously, by Yahweh. This is fulfillment through the divine gift.

There is also a strong eschatological element present in the meaning of shālôm. Messiah, "David’s greater son," is specifically identified as the Prince of Peace-the one who brings fulfillment and righteousness to the earth.

Num 6:22 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

24 YHVH bless you, and keep you;

25 YHVH make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;

26 YHVH lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'

27 "So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them."

1Cor 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Pet 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

2John 1:3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ…

Do you offer casual greetings to your friends and make small talk? Yeshua imparted peace to His disciples. This was not a perfunctory greeting or vague expression of good wishes. It was a deliberate action with real consequences. Do you understand the power of what you say? For your words have meaning and will have an effect whether you speak them with thought and purpose or not. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and by your words you shall be established, or shall fall. Therefore let your words be as well driven nails, building the Kingdom of God by speaking blessing to others, for you too are able to impart peace. Dale Cresap

2Cor 11:23 … in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

2Cor 12:7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me -- to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

John 14:27 "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, nor let it be fearful.

Mark 9:50 "… be at peace with one another."

Acts 10:36 "… preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) --

*Rom 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

Rom 12:18 If possible… be at peace with all men.

Rom 14:19 … pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

1Cor 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace…

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …

Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

1Pet 3:11 "And let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

2Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Set your heart to listen and expect to receive the inner witness and peace of the Spirit who will lead you into truth.

Phil 4:6 NLT Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

Do you know the Prince of Peace? He imparts to you peace that surpasses all understanding. Isa 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

(* editing is done to shorten length - you are encouraged to read the full commentary where applicable)

Proverbs 3:1 … But let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 3:13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.

14 For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.

Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

YHVH, Thank You, for You are our Peace.

Jeremiah 8:11 "And they heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace.

Jeremiah 16:5 For thus says the LORD, "Do not enter a house of mourning, or go to lament or to console them; for I have withdrawn My peace from this people," declares the LORD, " My lovingkindness and compassion.

Father keep us in Your love - grant us Your peace in the midst of national turmoil.

1. Who met the baby Jesus in the temple when He was forty days old?
2. What is the Christian’s blessed hope? (Titus 2:13)
3. In what country was Cana?
4. The Lord Himself will come down with a loud command and with the voice of whom?
5. What did God promise to give Solomon besides wisdom?
6. Who became angry when God spared Nineveh?
7. Who said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread"?

(Lessons from humility and faith.)

Job 35:12 "There they cry out, but He does not answer Because of the pride of evil men.

Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.

Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Isaiah 2:17 And the pride of man will be humbled, And the loftiness of men will be abased, And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Yeshua, we ask for Your humility to reign within - by Your grace and peace - Amen

In Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem he covered many aspects of a malfunctioning society because of sin. We today are in such a position without peace as we border on total destruction. There is only one way - study this as it applies to you and our nation.

2Chr 6:26 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against Thee, and they pray toward this place and confess Thy name, and turn from their sin when Thou dost afflict them; 27 then hear Thou in heaven and forgive the sin of Thy servants and Thy people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Thy land, which Thou hast given to Thy people for an inheritance.

2Chr 6:28 "If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, if there is locust or grasshopper, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is, 29 whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Thy people Israel, each knowing his own affliction and his own pain, and spreading his hands toward this house, 30 then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest for Thou alone dost know the hearts of the sons of men, 31 that they may fear Thee, to walk in Thy ways as long as they live in the land which Thou hast given to our fathers.

Our Father in heaven, we know not the way of peace, we humbly ask you to grant us Your grace and your peace - in Yeshua’s Name Amen

Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not be so. (Jas 3:10)

Material in this section is based on various prayer diaries.

My Favorite Animal




My teacher asked what my favorite animal was and I said, "Fried chicken." She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right because everyone else laughed.
My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal.
I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do too...especially chicken, and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office. I told him what happened and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class, my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken. She sent me back to the principal's office. He laughed and told me not to do it again.

I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am.

Today my teacher asked me to tell her what famous person I admire most. I told her, "Colonel Sanders." Guess where I am now?

Have a good day!

by Greg Gordon - (founder of SermonIndex.net)

A furtive glance in the mirror confirms what I have been suspecting all along, time is leaving its mark. With each passing day I notice more hairs from atop my head going on one way trips down the shower drain, and the graying temples that once seemed distinguished seem so no longer. The harbingers of a fleeting life seem more pronounced, from sprouting hairs in odd places such as my ears, to achy joints, to constant and unnerving need for quiet and solitude.

Rom 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,

To escape criticism, do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.

If you walk with your head held too high, you will never find lost coins in the street.

When pointing your finger, look at your hand; three fingers are pointing back at you.

Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.

It’s pretty difficult to keep your mind open and your mouth open at the same time.

It is not how old you are but how you are old.

When I first came to know the reality of God through the Messiah over thirty years ago, it was pretty much me-centered. I was told that if I believed in Yeshua then I would be happy for the rest of my life. There was much more to it at the time. Yet while the person who shared this with me also explained my need of forgiveness before God and how the Hebrew Scriptures pointed to Yeshua as the Messiah, the motive for accepting what was presented to me was for the most part how it would make me happy.
 
Thankfully, God made himself known to me in spite of this inaccurate information. Don't get me wrong, it is not as if knowing God has no personal benefit. It's that knowing him is not primarily about me, my personal needs and my happiness. I would eventually learn that I would not be happy all the time, even though through Yeshua I have indeed experienced a depth of happiness that I never dreamed possible, but I also have experienced a type of peace and security in the midst of difficulties I never thought possible.
 
… Habakkuk says that he will rejoice in God even when the harvest produces nothing. This is a difficult concept if we think, as I originally did, that following God is all about what we get out of it.
 
Habakkuk's words remind me of the Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who, in exile in Babylon, faced excruciating death due to their unwillingness to commit idolatry. Just before being thrown into the fiery furnace, they said to the king of Bablyon, "...our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" (Daniel 3:17,18; ESV).
 
This understanding of God and life went far beyond their own selves, their personal welfare, comfort, and prosperity. They knew that there is a reality of life through knowing God that is far deeper than what many of us normally experience.
 
Habakkuk could rejoice in God even in the face of starvation. His strength and ability to face dire circumstances was not based on normal material prosperity but in God himself. This is no abstract spirituality detached from the realities of life, but a strength that enables us to live this life in the midst of enormous challenges.
 
In order to begin to grasp the depths of this reality we need to first turn away from our obsession with self and our desire to please self. It is as we submit ourselves to God and his will for our lives, whatever that may be, that we can find a joy and strength beyond our wildest dreams.

*(This document was edited for length)

Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…)

John 14:27 "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, nor let it be fearful.

1. Simeon and Anna - Luke 2:25-38

2. The glorious appearance of Jesus Christ - Titus 2:13

3. Galilee - John 4:46

4. The archangel - 1 Thessalonians 4:16

5. Riches and honor - 1 Kings 3:13

6. Jonah - Jonah 3:7-4:1

7. The tempter - the Devil - Matthew 4:3