Peace is a powerful weapon.
You’re ability to receive it will determine how you affect the people, atmosphere and circumstances around you.
There are always those in every storm and every disaster of life who seem to exhibit a calming sense of strength and affirmation that makes many think either they are nuts or they know something the rest of us have yet to consider. As a young girl, I often looked on those people wondering if I could ever be one. The answer is yes, and you can too.
Our lives are a series of circumstances and experiences that give us these formidable opportunities to become just such a person – a Harbinger of Peace.
When circumstances come, they often come with a warning sign. God looks to speak to us in ways that will get our attention so He can share His plan and show us what He wants to do. Just like He did with Abraham right before Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed and just like He did in Jesus, who very plainly told us “I only do as I SEE my Father doing” (John 5:19).
Everything the devil tries to do can be used by God for good. Everything.
We can rest assured that no tragedy or calamity brought against us is of the Lord’s doing, because of what Jesus has done for us – Judgement for the sinner is no longer upon us in this day having been reserved for the Last Day, which means God is looking to turn everything toward Him in these days and for His purpose, for the good of those who love Him. This is what it means that Mercy triumphs over Judgement.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
Our tasks is then very simple, we don’t need to discern if something bad is of the Lord’s doing, we need only to learn that the presence of something bad means God is presently nearby wanting to apply His Mercy and do something good. Our discernment of the spirits at work in any given situation is for the purpose of receiving direction – Heaven’s Battle Plan. We do what Jesus does – We look to see what our Father is doing.
When Hurricane Matthew came on the scene in 2016, it was a discerning gift that put my spirit on alert, as it did to many who have received the same gift, as the Spirit gives gifts to all (1 Corinthians 12). There was no doubt the storm was demonic. The father of Lies has no regard for his children. Some would try to say the Lord intended to wipe away those willfully bound in sin, but we know from the scriptures concerning God’s Mercy that this simply is not so. The LIE is that our God is not a good and loving Father who can be trusted. The TRUTH is that He most certainly is! And if He promises us the Day of Judgement for the unbelieving is not until the Last Day then we ought to consider His promise (John 12:48).
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. – Hebrews 10:23
The only thing faithful about the enemy of our souls is this: he comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), and he is a liar (John 8:44).
But even if you are still inclined to believe such wrath still is against us from Heaven’s Creator, remember this:
God gave His Son as a gift to us for eternal life, not death but life! He came to save not condemn (John 3:17). He gave us a gift of peace not fear (John 14:27).
At the time I wrote the above words during the onset of Hurricane Matthew, pre-Weeble, I knew only these truths. And today, as we sit on the onset of Hurricane Irma, I not only stand once more in these same truths, but I now have the gift of even greater faith for we have each witnessed the hand of the Lord at work to save!
I have also concluded, however, that there is a different judgement at work in our day, which I believe most Christians have forgotten. It is the judgement against believers.
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? – 1 Peter 4:17
Friends, this warning from the Apostle Peter gives me more concern than the judgement to come on the Last Day, for “if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18).
And what is this judgement upon the righteous that is occurring in our lifetime? Many have referred to it as the Great Divide. It is the sifting of the wheat and tares, the believers from the unbelieving for they have both grown up along side the other under the same house. Jesus himself refereed to this generation as the “Unbelieving Generation” (Mark 9:19).
You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? – Mark 9:19
Now more than ever, in these times of uncertainty and strife, when storms rage and anxiety is rising, the Lord is looking for His faith-filled ones to stand and reveal themselves against this “unbelieving generation.” Those who will stand up and declare boldly the Truth from the lies and represent themselves as friends of Heaven, daughters and sons of God, Harbingers of Peace. Those who will profess with their lips, as David did in Psalm 27:13, “I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”
How will the judgement end for this unbelieving generation? How will the ungodly and sinner fair without a righteous example? Except that the true sons and daughters of God be revealed (Romans 8:19).
If we were to take our eyes off the storms around us and fix them on Jesus as He fixed His eyes on the Father, we would see things much differently – we would see things as He does. Even more, if we were to hear Him and follow His instructions to receive His peace, it would free us up to do more for His Kingdom as Harbingers of Peace than we could ever hope to do as Doomsayers of unbelief, running about wildly in fear and anxiety, speaking forth words of doubt – the exact opposite of faith and peace.
The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to James chapter 3 verse 2, “If we could control our tongues, we’d already be perfect.”
Friend, it is so vital to the life of our own souls and the lives of those we speak into, especially during times of strife and uncertainty, to always consider the words that come forth from our mouths. And not just our tongue, but also our mind and spirit. For from the heart springs forth every kind of evil thought and unbelief against the promises of the Lord (Matthew 15:19).
Therefore, let us take up the mind of Christ and putting His thoughts into our heart, allow them to be transformed into our own, lest we slander and murder the works of God and reveal ourselves as children of the father of Lies.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2
Let us not forget the gift Jesus left us, Peace that surpasses all understanding (John14:27). Peace that aligns our hearts with the will of the Father. Peace that lays down its life without regard for itself or its property and concerns itself over the life of its brother and sister. A peace that forgives, saves, heals, reconciles, and restores all things to itself through Christ Jesus, regardless of creed, color, or sin.
Would you stand with me now? Together, united with brothers and sisters of faith across the nation, and even the globe, as manifested sons and daughters of God who believe, agents of His peace, and turn our hearts to pray as we cry out to the merciful heart of Jesus which saves, “whom even the winds and waves obey” (Mark 4:39-41) and declare against the storms that rage: “Peace! Be still!”
Kim Engel
Founder, Sheerah Ministries
http://www.SheerahMinistries.com
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Kim is a wife, mother of two children, Author, Speaker and lover of the Word. She has a heart for encouraging women to Awaken to their God-given gifts and callings and to see the Body of Christ come together in unity as it continues the mission of Jesus Christ to bring love to the world in the hope of salvation and by the power of the Holy Spirit. She is founder of Sheerah Ministries, a collaboration of women intent on sharing the good news and inspiration of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit through teachings, retreats, speaking engagements, writing, media and the arts. Follow Kim on her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/WakingEve and on Instagram and Twitter @WakingEve or contact by email at info@sheerahministries.com. SUBSCRIBE to our blog to keep updated on Sheerah Ministries blogs by contributing partners, news and events.
