Living in a Foreign World 8

 Finding Peace in chaos.

We are currently discussing how we live, in this world, as children of God, when it is not our world anymore. We are to be in the world but no longer of it. We have already discussed these topics.

We are not of the world. {We are a citizen of Heaven}

We answer to a higher authority {God over Man no matter what cost}

Religion is not salvation. {Relationship, not Religion}

Laying a solid foundation for our kids. {Living, Teaching, Praying.}

We no longer speak their language. {We speak a heavenly language.}

Being a Peacemaker.

What about us? How do we possibly find peace for and in our lives in the chaos of this sinful foreign world in which we live? This is what we will be talking about today.

A good starting point is to remember what Yeshua, or Jesus as translated in our Bibles, said to us before He was crucified.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

That’s great, right? But what does that mean? Then we read this.

“let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:11

Or things like this.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5

Picture that. You are surrounded at all times by your enemies. Those that want you dead, simply because you exist. Think Israel. You are no longer a citizen of this world. You are a citizen of Heaven. You no longer answer to this world or anyone in it. You now answer to your Father. You should not even be speaking their language. You have a new tongue.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 8-17

This is why it is imperative to seek out a home church. A local, or not-so-local if needed. Be with same-minded children of God. You cannot do it on your own. Most of the time, it’s not about you anyway. So be with your family. Those who will pray with and for you. Those that will laugh with you, cry with you. Comfort and lift you if needed. People who are your people. Fellow citizens of Heaven. People that speak your language.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Let me ask you this. If you are living in the world, speaking the world’s language, doing the world's things, and acting the same as those in this crazy and foreign land of sin, if people of this world love you as one of their own, then how do you think you escape the sins and confusion of this crazy world. No, I'm sorry to inform you, but you can’t. You will, however, find chaos and confusion. Sin, and eventually death and judgment.

You will never have true peace. It doesn't matter how much free time you have, how wealthy you are, or how much respect and love you receive from others in this world. You will never find true peace because this world has no true peace. Only sin and death. Do not be fooled by, nor give into, “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.” Do not be afraid “when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word.” You do not have to. Why? Because the one who already went through it, and overcame it, is now in you. He is now your comforter and your advocate. Yeshua Himself stands before any accuser and anyone trying to collect on your sins, and He is the one who is saying, “It is finished.” “I paid the price for him.” “I paid the price for her.” ”My blood was shed for them.” “Their debt is paid.” “They are mine.”

"Take a look at one of my favorite chapters in the book of Romans, Romans 8. Start at verse 31. It's a bit long, but I want you to read it with me. Don't just read it, but also highlight it, underline it, and commit it to memory. Absorb it. Digest it. Do whatever you need to do to make it a part of you and let it live in you. Are you ready?"

“ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake, we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

Why are you worried about this world and those in it? We answer to a higher authority. Yeshua, or Jesus, even told us who to fear.

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” Luke 12:4-5

This passage from the Bible tells us that God's love for us is so great that he has even counted the hairs on our heads. Try counting your own hairs one day if you're bored. God did this out of His unconditional, sacrificial, and pure love. That's how much your Heavenly Father, who is also the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the End, The Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, loves you.

You know, I just saw where some people, “Christians” have taken offense to calling God “Daddy.” It seems like they feel it is disrespectful, or just not appropriate to call God “Daddy.” Turn to Romans 8 again. Start at Romans 8:13

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:13-17

What does Abba Father mean? “Abba" is always followed by the word Father in Scripture, and the phrase is found in three places. Mark 14:36, Jesus called God His Father as “Abba, Father” during His prayer in Gethsemane. In Romans 8:15, Which we just read, “Abba, Father” is mentioned concerning the Spirit’s work of adoption that makes us God’s children and heirs with Christ. In Galatians 4:6, again in the context of adoption, the Spirit in our hearts cries out, “Abba, Father.” Together, the terms Abba and Father doubly emphasize the fatherhood of God. It means an affectionate and intimate relationship with a loving Father who knows us better than we know ourselves and loves us so much He is our Daddy.

There is nothing disrespectful or offensive to calling God your Daddy. He loves you. He created you and gave you life. He loves you so much that He laid down His Godhood and came to earth to be mocked, tortured, and put to death, for you. Not because you are good, or perfect, but because you were sinful and dead. Living in the middle of your sins.

Remember Yeshua said this.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:9-11

He wants you to have the life He planned for you to have. An abundant life. No, I’m not going to fall into a false teaching of the “Prosperity Gospel.” That is not what Yeshua was saying. He was talking about a life of peace, fullness, and a close family relationship of Agape love, between you, The Holy Spirit, The Son or The Word of God in the flesh that takes away your sin and death sentence, and God the Father who says He is now our Daddy.

How can you find peace in this foreign, sinful, and chaotic world? Spend time getting to know your Heavenly Father. Pray, read His Word, and listen to what He tells you. Only when you have a clear and concise understanding of who you are as a child of God, who He is as God, and what His plans are for you and your life, will you find true peace, regardless of the chaos happening all around you at all times.

Do you know the Love of God? If you have not already done so, you need to ask Yeshua into your life, then say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Yeshua's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!