PRINCE OF PEACE!

A lonely soul. Unruled. Unguarded. Insecure. Shivering in sin’s prison. Anxious, fearful, and worried. Regretful past, distressing present, threatening future. Restless, suspicious, and strained—bitter and defensive. Surviving. Out of control.

Our forefathers betrayed their relationship with the Creator. We have inherited the curse of enmity with God. The condition of sin upon humankind. The land lay barren, bereft of life and light. At odds with Divinity, lost to endless torment and unrest.

But wait… All is not lost…

A LIGHT has risen in the darkness.

He shines upon all who dwell in the land of the shadow of death. LIGHT born from the womb of darkness carrying the breath of LIFE! A whirlwind of LOVE embracing humanity with divine favor.

His name is called PRINCE OF PEACE!

CAPTAIN of unity. CHIEF of reconciliation. GENERAL of safety. RULER of tranquility. LORD of welfare. HEAD of health. SAVIOR of soundness. GOVERNOR of wholeness. LEADER of life.

Tell Him your trouble. Not because He doesn’t know your trouble but because you invite Him into it.

His name is called PRINCE OF PEACE! And His rule has approved your unity with God and qualification to rest from your striving.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 5:1

The PRINCE OF PEACE will crush the devil under your feet! (see Romans 16:20)

The PEACE OF GOD from the PRINCE OF PEACE rules in your heart! (see Colossians 3:15)

The PRINCE OF PEACE guards your heart and mind! (see Philippians 4:7)

His name is called PRINCE OF PEACE! And He yearns for you to trust His control – to abandon yourself to His rulership of PEACE.

Because of His GREAT LOVE.

Jesus lay fast asleep, the boat gently rocking Him. It had been a hard day’s work, and as evening set in, Jesus decided to cross the Sea of Galilee. His closest friends obliged and set out while Jesus cozied up with a pillow in the back of the boat (From Mark 4:35-41).

It happened to them as it does to all of us. The storms of life arise.  Assaulting our progress, threatening our plans, disrupting our peace, and terrorizing our wellbeing.

The windstorm was so severe that it beat the waves against and over the boat, filling it with water so that it would sink. Sinking… out of control.

Along with the waves and wind – panic and fear! Jesus slept on.

Sound familiar? Sinking… control lost, fear and panic. Where’s Jesus? Asleep???

Here’s the thing: This all took place in Jesus’s presence. He was with them, at hand, and the storm raged upon Him, too. They were all together.

The lie howled its chilling words in the stormy wind and waves. Jesus’ friends repeated it, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” It’s how they woke Jesus up.

I have tried to wake Jesus like this, too. Jesus asleep equals Jesus doesn’t see me – doesn’t care, doesn’t love, isn’t good. Jesus asleep means I have to take control and I resent His absence.

Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and sea, commanding, “PEACE, be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

“Who can this be?” they asked one another.

They knew Jesus as a great teacher, and that’s how they addressed Him in their turmoil. But Jesus revealed Himself as more. And they needed more than the education of a teacher.

Jesus revealed His authority and control over nature as the PRINCE OF PEACE.

Knowledge and understanding, education and learning aren’t enough to quell the storms of life. We need a ruler who fights on our behalf. His name is PRINCE OF PEACE.

Do you know PRINCE OF PEACE?

Relationship! Intimacy! Experience!

Jesus asked His companions why they were so fearful. He asked why they had no faith.

These questions weren’t meant to be answered. They were meant as an invitation to KNOW Him better, to trust Him as their PRINCE, and to experience His authoritative PEACE that passes all comprehension.

Jesus is not a tyrant. While He is King of kings and Lord of lords, He awaits your trust, your affection, your desire, your need.

Jesus is the PRINCE OF PEACE whether or not His friends woke Him. Whatever havoc the storm would have wrought, Jesus is still the PRINCE.

But when His companions awoke Him, they witnessed the power the PRINCE OF PEACE wielded on their behalf. In the comradeship of the threat, Jesus manifested a power and position they had not formerly known.

Trust the PRINCE OF PEACE.

Don’t be anxious about anything. Pray (talk to God). Ask Him. Tell Him your trouble. Not because He doesn’t know your trouble but because you invite Him into it. In acknowledgment and gratitude of WHO Jesus is, make your request to Him. As your trust is exercised, the PRINCE OF PEACE seems to awaken. He brings the authority of His PEACE into the middle of the mess – a peace that defies logic and understanding. And His PEACE becomes a militant guard defending your heart and mind against the storm’s hostile invasion. This will allow you to witness and experience firsthand The PRINCE OF PEACE’s love, faithfulness, and personal interest in your well-being. (see Philippians 4:6-7)

Have you invited PRINCE OF PEACE to know you?

Have you shaken the shoulder of “sleeping” Jesus? Have you cried out to Him? Don’t be embarrassed that you should be more than you are. Don’t hold back because you fear religion’s criticism. Don’t try and control it yourself. Cry out to Him in your own words and from your vulnerable place in the storm. He already knows your state. He wants your invitation – your permission. He wants to KNOW YOU! He would be seen and known by you as PRINCE OF PEACE. He would bring His incomprehensible PEACE into your storm.

He is:

“…the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters, the only source of immortality, the one who lives in unapproachable light, the one whom no mortal eye has ever seen or ever can see. To him be acknowledged all honour and power forever, amen!” (1 Timothy 6:15-16, J.B. Phillips translation)

His name is called PRINCE OF PEACE!

Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?

Not a criticism, an invitation from the PRINCE OF PEACE.

His is a kingdom of justice and judgment on your behalf. He will establish it in you from this time forth and forever! Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end!

In Jesus = PRINCE OF PEACE!

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” ~ Isaiah 9:2

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

PRINCE OF PEACE.” ~ Isaiah 9:6

“Of the increase of His government and PEACE there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” ~ Isaiah 9:7

Prince of Peace, Josh Baldwin

“Winter Sunstar”