Click here to download the outline 👉 2024 JAN-FEB FFFP DAY 11
FIRST FRUIT FASTING EXERCISE Jan.22 – Feb 11. 2024 (Day 11)
Theme: JUMPING IN THE JOY OF JUBILEE
Texts: Ps.4:3-8; 32:11; 126:1-6
Sub-Texts: Jn. 14:27, 16:33, 20:19,21,26
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Since the fall of man, quest for peace has been his heart cry. Individuals, organizations and nations are scouting for peace within and without. Concepts, and theories are formulated, intellectuals brainstorm to birth elusive peace in the society. And people rejoice when a measure of it is being enjoyed. (cons. 2 Kgs. 20:12-19)
Yet, peace is abundantly available to true seekers. This is the peace that comes from the Prince of peace (Isa. 9:6) whose type was called the King of Salem (or shalom = harmonious peace), Melchizedek. (Gen. 14:18)
Peace is defined by Google as freedom from disturbance; tranquility; calm. There are two types of peace namely: (i)
External peace: tranquility in the surrounding environment/habitat (ii)
Internal peace:
peace in the heart (inner peace).
Peace was taken away at man’s submission/identification with the rebel, Satan (Lk.
4:16, Rom. 6:16), but recovered by the advent of the last Adam, the life Giver (1 Cor.
15:45; Col. 2:15).
Inner peace is a Kingdom resource enjoyed only by citizens of heaven as the sin-tainted have nothing to do with it (Rom. 14:17, Isa. 57:21).
The Lord Jesus, the Vector of peace (Isa. 9:6), predicted that the world under the influence of Satan will attack it externally, but cannot interfere with it internally (Matt. 10:23, Jn. 16:33, 14:27). He always blessed His disciples with it. (Lk. 24:36, Jn.
20:21,26)
Disciples having received peace, are expected to be like their Master, and so should be conveyers of peace (Lk. 10:4-6, 10 -12). This could explain why the anointed epistle writers ceaselessly blessed their readers with peace. (Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:3, Eph. 1:2, 1 Thess. 1:1, 1 Tim. 1:2, 1 Pt. 1:2, 2 Pt. 1:2, 2 Jn. 3, Jude 2)
The Holy Spirit, the Another Comforter continued in the footstep of Jesus to generate peace to kingdom citizens (Jn.14:16,26, Rom. 5:1, 8:6, Phil. 4:7) as Jesus had paid for the peace (Isa. 53:5, Eph. 2:13,14, Col. 1:20). Peace is a major product of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
The fruit of the Spirit translated ‘peace’ was the Greek
Ӗirēnē (
pronounced i-ray-nay) means
Peace, Rest, Quietness; by implication
prosperity.
It is that calmness that emanates from the spirit and permeates the soul; a sense of rest and contentment there on. it emerges as soon as relationship with God is harmonized at the reception of the gospel. (Matt. 10:12, 13, Eph. 6:14;15)
This peace is to be sustained and does serve as an indicator of the believer’s stand with the Lord. In other words, when a matured believer has problems with his peace, he should cross check his stand. When one moves out of God’s will, the peace fluctuates.
The wisdom given by the Holy Spirit is geared towards making peace (Jas. 3:17) and He continually works peace in the pilgrim. (Heb. 12:11)
The pilgrim is enjoined to follow after things that make for peace (Rom. 12:18, Heb. 12:14,15) and as he does so, his own peace is developed. (Gal. 6:8, Lk. 6:37)
While the devils are working to steal or ruin the peace of the pilgrim, using human offences and challenges of life, the informed believer must learn how to grow his peace viz:
- Readily forgive offenders (Prov. 11:17, Matt. 6:12, 18:21,22, Mk. 11:24-26)
- Recourse to prayers when burdens arise (Phil. 4:6-7, Jer. 33:3)
- Regularly engage in praise/worship (Ps. 67:5-7)
- Reach out to people in need of peace for whatever seed one sows, he reaps (Gal. 6:7, Lk. 6:37)
Peace is a distinguishing quality of a heaven bound pilgrim, and should be nurtured and tended, and distributed to the peace-starved populace.
It is a paradox for a heaven bound pilgrim to be devoid of peace.
