Peace In A World Go Mad

In 2023, we live in a world devoid of peace. We have two major wars going on at this present moment, with a third conflict with China over Taiwan looming on the horizon. Crime rates are up, economic despair is rampant, and we go through our days besieged by voices, all clamoring for our undivided attention. 

Are you seeking peace in your life? 

When the birth of the Messiah was foretold in Scripture, He was called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and ironically, the peace He promised would only be ushered in by His death: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Is. 53:5).

The reason that I introduced the narrative of Jesus Christ into our conversation is that it is my belief that peace without Jesus is fleeting at best. 

To put it in a more contemporary term, you need to look outside yourself to find your source for peace. 

Only a perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful God, who proclaims His love for you, can promise the following, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Is. 26:3). Even the night before Jesus died, He promised His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Finally, He also said to them, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

In this world you will have trouble. 

But rejoice, Jesus has overcome this world.

Alistair Begg - Staying Or Going?

 

God With Us

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:16-17)

It is so difficult sometimes to separate our perceived reality from the spiritual reality that God wants us to embrace. It's like the famous story of the wise old professor who would greet his class with the greeting, "Enjoy today, today!" And as would happen on almost a daily basis a student would grumble and remark that his day was not going the way he thought it would. The response from the professor would always be the same, "Don't worry, it will pass." Then another student who was riding the high of a good day or week would respond to his question in a positive manner and the professor's response would be the same, "Don't worry, it will pass.". The point behind the question is life is fluid, circumstances will change, embrace the moment. 

And if you are a believer, then God is with you in every moment.

Alexander The Great

"Alexander The Great" - the very name evokes images of epic battles, grand conquests, and a larger-than-life persona. His achievements as a military leader are legendary, and his legacy has endured for over two millennia.

But what was it that made Alexander such a successful commander?

First let's draw a comparison to another great general, Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon is credited with utilizing the idea of separate, self-sufficient army formations. Before Napoleon, every nation had an army with a general. This army had one supply train, one chain of command, one army camp when not moving, and always fought more or less together.

Yet, Napoleon's greatest strengths might have been his charisma, political leadership, and diplomat skills. His military skills, as great as they were, lacked the vision and planning of leaders such as Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great. For example, I doubt that either one of those military leaders would have made the mistakes Napoleon made in invading Russia, where his army started off with over 600,000 men and only 100,000 returned. Napoleon fought in over 60 battles, and lost 7 of those conflicts. 

Alexander the Great fought military campaigns for over fifteen years and never lost a battle.