Meet The Messiah | Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6

When the prophet Isaiah spoke about the one who was coming to deliver the people of Israel, he listed four names that would be used to describe what He would do.  The Prince of Peace comes to make us whole again in relationship with God..

We know today that national peace does not guarantee personal peace.

Real Peace is Not:

·      the absence of conflict

·      the absence of worry

·      the absence of trouble

The primary Hebrew word for peace is shalom meaning completeness, harmony, wholeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. 

Old Testament Descriptions of Peace

·      To live in safety. Psalms 4:8

·      No conflict with your enemies.  Proverbs 16:7

·      A feeling of tranquility and security.  Isaiah 32:17

·      A calm state of mind; a heart free from anxiety and fear. Isaiah 26:3

New Testament Descriptions of Peace

·      Peace occurs in association with righteousness.  James 3:18

·      Peace occurs in association with grace.  Philippians 1:2

·      Peace occurs in association with mercy and love.  Jude 1:2

·      Peace occurs in association with believing.  Romans 15:13

·      Peace occurs in association with the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:6

Real Peace Is – Uniting Separated Parts

·      Uniting Man with God  Romans 5:1

·      Uniting Man with Men  Ephesians 2:13-18

·      Uniting Man with Himself  2 Thess. 3:16

Finding Your Timothy

Submitted by Stacey McKenzie, Ukraine

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you, so that by them you may strongly engage in battle, having faith and a good conscience. 1 Timothy 1:18-19a

How can a missionary reach a people group that is scattered or hidden? A group that may not all know the same language or have no specific geographical location where they live. This is the case with the Deaf. As we arrive in our new home, whether it be the huge mega city of Delhi, India, a small town in southwestern Ukraine or the familiarity of Texas, the Deaf are largely hidden and very scattered. Street evangelism or large Christian rallies are not going to draw in large crowds of deaf people.

As we look back on our experiences, success in ministry has not been based on numbers of the Deaf flocking to an altar or large churches being formed. God has been very clear in His direction to us, “Find your Timothy”.  Our first Timothy was Raj, a devout Hindu known for persecuting Christians. As he made threats against our family, we loved on him and shared the Gospel. Months later, a quiet baptism in a wading pool set up in our living room marked the beginning of his new life and journey as a disciple. Now, six years later, Raj is a missionary to his own people, reaching thousands of Deaf with the Gospel! 

No matter where we are and how large or small the Deaf population may be, we begin by praying for just one person. One person that will take the Gospel message to heart. One person that will repent and become a new creation in Christ, and then for that one person to become like a son in the faith. God has always been faithful to send us that one person, and we have been delighted to see “Timothys” mature into a “Pauls”. 

Lord I pray that these missionaries will find a Timothy to invest in and bring up as a son in the faith. I pray for more who will learn to teach and spread the Gospel much farther than any western missionary could ever reach.

I pray that I would be a Timothy and diligently seek out knowledge and training from other believers, and that I would find a Timothy so that You would use me to raise up a son or daughter in the faith.