Hi Friends~
Last December I told those of you who were here that I was doing a different study than usual to prepare my heart for Christmas. I was studying the book by Ann Spangler titled Praying the Names of Jesus. I wanted to learn more about the many different aspects of Jesus. Last year I shared with you many insights from the author, the Bible and my own thoughts on a few of our Lord's names. We shared about the names and qualities associated with these names: Immanuel, Jesus, Christ, Anointed One, Great Physician and Messiah. I am studying some of His other names this year...and I wanted to share about one of those names today.
I have been reading about His name, "The Prince of Peace." Miss Spangler shares this information:
"Who hasn't longed for peace, living in a world that is so often full of strife? The Hebrew word for peace, however, means much more than the absence of conflict or the end of turmoil. Shalom conveys not only a sense of tranquility but also of wholeness and completion. To enjoy shalom is to enjoy health, satisfaction, success, safety, well-being, and prosperity. Though the New Testament does not directly call Jesus the Prince of Peace, this title from Isaiah has traditionally been associated with Him as the One who brings peace to the world. Furthermore, Paul assured the Ephesian Christians saying of Jesus, "He Himself is our peace." (Ephesians 2:14). When you pray to Sar Shalom, you are praying to the One who is the source of all peace. To live in peace is to live in His presence."
Here is the Scripture from Isaiah 9:6:
I just love this Scripture. It is amazing to me that while I was still Jewish, I never saw most of the Old Testament. I learned about some of the "popular" stories. But, I never read Isaiah. So to me, this is one of the key Scriptures that tells me about Jesus' coming...right there! It was amazing to me...and I found so many other Scriptures...especially in Isaiah that foretold us of Jesus' coming to earth...in detail. Isn't it great how His Word foretells many of the things in the New Testament, in the Old Testament!? You just have to look!
Let's pray together, if you would:
"Dear Jesus, my life was in chaos until You entered it. Thank you for the forgiveness that brought me peace. Deepen my sense of your presence by keeping me close to You. Teach me to be a peace-maker----loving justice, doing right, and leading others along the path of peace. Amen."
I'd like to share more that I learned from this chapter on the Prince of Peace and Sar Shalom (SAR sha-LOME). The name Sar Shalom is not found in the New Testament. Isaiah 9 and Luke 2:14 both share about a child who will bring peace to God's people. The New Testament develops our understanding of peace by revealing Jesus the Christ as the source of all peace!
Spangler states: "Though we were alienated from God because of our sins, Jesus reconciled us, making peace through His blood. Peace with God produces peace with others and peace within ourselves. When Christ's kingdom is fully established, all strife and cease, and those who belong to Him will enjoy forever the fullness of peace---health, wholeness, well-being, tranquility, satisfaction, safety, prosperity, and perfect contentment."
Of course, we aren't promised a life without any troubles or hard times. They are a part of life that often get us to lean on Him, or go to Him in prayer, or strengthen us, or pull us together and share with others.
Are you at peace with your life? What do you think it means to walk in the "path of peace?" Do you experience Christ's peace in your life? I hope that you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior...personally! And, that you spend time with Him daily...in prayer, in His Word, in meditation...He will give you peace!
On a personal note, many of you have helped me deal with Josh's joining the Air Force. Josh is doing great! He is in charge of a couple of details with his flight group. And, is actually teaching the others on a daily basis. And, one of you suggested I give Josh back to Him. He can take care of him better, see over him better, and protect him much better than I can. I tell you I prayed this a couple of months ago with all of my heart...and He is so good! He gave me a sense of peace that really is amazing and had seemed almost impossible to me. I wait for Josh's letters, and write him a few times a week. I am so excited when I get his 1 minute call...and I do not worry about him...almost not at all. Of course, I still pray for his Salvation...every chance I can. I am so thankful to all of you for praying for Josh, and Dave and myself. I thank especially the Prince of Peace...who loves all of us.
Last December I told those of you who were here that I was doing a different study than usual to prepare my heart for Christmas. I was studying the book by Ann Spangler titled Praying the Names of Jesus. I wanted to learn more about the many different aspects of Jesus. Last year I shared with you many insights from the author, the Bible and my own thoughts on a few of our Lord's names. We shared about the names and qualities associated with these names: Immanuel, Jesus, Christ, Anointed One, Great Physician and Messiah. I am studying some of His other names this year...and I wanted to share about one of those names today.
I have been reading about His name, "The Prince of Peace." Miss Spangler shares this information:
"Who hasn't longed for peace, living in a world that is so often full of strife? The Hebrew word for peace, however, means much more than the absence of conflict or the end of turmoil. Shalom conveys not only a sense of tranquility but also of wholeness and completion. To enjoy shalom is to enjoy health, satisfaction, success, safety, well-being, and prosperity. Though the New Testament does not directly call Jesus the Prince of Peace, this title from Isaiah has traditionally been associated with Him as the One who brings peace to the world. Furthermore, Paul assured the Ephesian Christians saying of Jesus, "He Himself is our peace." (Ephesians 2:14). When you pray to Sar Shalom, you are praying to the One who is the source of all peace. To live in peace is to live in His presence."
Here is the Scripture from Isaiah 9:6:
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6 KJV)
Let's pray together, if you would:
"Dear Jesus, my life was in chaos until You entered it. Thank you for the forgiveness that brought me peace. Deepen my sense of your presence by keeping me close to You. Teach me to be a peace-maker----loving justice, doing right, and leading others along the path of peace. Amen."
Luke 2:14 tells us that shortly after Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed: "Glory to God in the highest Heaven, and on earth peace
to those on whom His favor rests."
to those on whom His favor rests."
I'd like to share more that I learned from this chapter on the Prince of Peace and Sar Shalom (SAR sha-LOME). The name Sar Shalom is not found in the New Testament. Isaiah 9 and Luke 2:14 both share about a child who will bring peace to God's people. The New Testament develops our understanding of peace by revealing Jesus the Christ as the source of all peace!
Spangler states: "Though we were alienated from God because of our sins, Jesus reconciled us, making peace through His blood. Peace with God produces peace with others and peace within ourselves. When Christ's kingdom is fully established, all strife and cease, and those who belong to Him will enjoy forever the fullness of peace---health, wholeness, well-being, tranquility, satisfaction, safety, prosperity, and perfect contentment."
Of course, we aren't promised a life without any troubles or hard times. They are a part of life that often get us to lean on Him, or go to Him in prayer, or strengthen us, or pull us together and share with others.
Are you at peace with your life? What do you think it means to walk in the "path of peace?" Do you experience Christ's peace in your life? I hope that you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior...personally! And, that you spend time with Him daily...in prayer, in His Word, in meditation...He will give you peace!
On a personal note, many of you have helped me deal with Josh's joining the Air Force. Josh is doing great! He is in charge of a couple of details with his flight group. And, is actually teaching the others on a daily basis. And, one of you suggested I give Josh back to Him. He can take care of him better, see over him better, and protect him much better than I can. I tell you I prayed this a couple of months ago with all of my heart...and He is so good! He gave me a sense of peace that really is amazing and had seemed almost impossible to me. I wait for Josh's letters, and write him a few times a week. I am so excited when I get his 1 minute call...and I do not worry about him...almost not at all. Of course, I still pray for his Salvation...every chance I can. I am so thankful to all of you for praying for Josh, and Dave and myself. I thank especially the Prince of Peace...who loves all of us.
This Scripture states things very clearly:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." (Colossians 3:12-15)
The author of this book reminds us that the cross was OUR punishment, the payback for OUR sins. But, no matter what we have done, how agitated or frantic we feel, or how chaotic life has become, Christ says to us today: Shalom Aleikhem! (Hebrew) "Peace upon you." Peace be with you in your relationship with God, with others, and with yourself. May His peace settle into your soul and rule your heart. May it become the loom on which your life is woven, clothing you with His compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Repent of what you have done wrong. Forgive as you have been forgiven. And let the One who is called the Prince of Peace rule in your heart!
__________________________________
Reminder of our Special Holiday Blog Candy!
We are giving away a set of cards to a person who leaves a comment...about anything before Tuesday at 8pm. The comment will be randomly chosen and announced on Wednesday! The number of cards you receive will range between 1 and 10...that number will be randomly chosen! This Give-Away will run through the month of December!
AND...
We are having a Very Large Blog Candy Give-Away on Christmas Day!
We have many wonderful items that will be given to one randomly chosen person. Here are the details...every time you leave a comment from December 10-24th, you will be entered in our drawing for our "Merry Christmas Blog Candy!"
We have some fabulous prizes this year:
**An awesome Ash2Ash CD
**rubber stamps
**a beautiful murano glass cross
**A Christmas music CD
**One glazed Nativity Scene Ornament with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus
**A Sizzix Impressions Embossing Folder.
(Be sure to watch here as the list of goodies grow!)
That's all we are going to tell you now...but it is quite an exciting collection of goodies. We will tell you about more items as time goes by...the recipient will be announced on Christmas Day! This is in addition to our weekly card give-aways! We are so blessed to have you stop by...it is our way of saying thank you for joining us, encouraging each other---including us, and sharing His love, His Word, and His gift of Salvation with others!
Thank you so very much for stopping by today! Wednesday, we will see who has been randomly chosen from all of the comments of the last week (You can leave more than one.) We will also find out how many cards that person will win by a random drawing of numbers 1 through 10. How exciting is all of this? We do hope that you will use the cards to share the love, Word, and gift of Salvation from our Lord Jesus the Christ to others.
He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather
p.s. Is there anyone that would be willing to spend a few minutes (any amount of time) a week praying for the needs of our guests, and for those of us who work on the blog? If you are willing...please leave a comment or email Traci. Joan is our Prayer Team Leader and will work with you to give you prayer requests that should meet the amount of time you can spend in prayer. Thank you for prayerfully considering this request.
thanks for sharing this book. it looks like one i would like to have! i just bought Ann Spangler's Women of the Bible and i look forward to reading it. blessings ang hugs, peggy
ReplyDeleteTraci- Great post! I am praying that during this season amidst all the hustle and bustle everyone stops to remember the true reason behind the season. Our Savior was born as a human to save each and everyone. God Bless!
ReplyDelete