Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will direct your path!
Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Jesus is the forerunner of those saved by God’s grace in Him. The veil had been opened in His death and resurrection. He was a priest according to the order of the Priest of the most high God, Melchizedek, the King of Salem the city of peace.
Hebrews 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
Psalm 110:4 The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
The most high God who made the whole earth and all His creation not just the Israelites that were yet to be. He would bless the whole of humanity in Abraham whose faith alone made him righteous with God.
Mercy and Justice in the Face of Oppression
Herein lies a lesson for every age: God defends the poor and vulnerable (Malachi 3:5).
Unfortunately, oppression still plagues our world today, but as Christians, we are called to live mercifully and justly. Scripture directs us to care for our neighbors and treat others fairly (1 Peter 4:10-11; Acts 20:35; Galatians 5:13-14; Philippians 2:1-11). Perhaps that means paying an honest wage, supporting organizations that serve our communities, volunteering our time, or taking action in some other way. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us, showing our neighbors God's love and justice and working toward a world without oppression (John 13:34-35; Matthew 5:16; Isaiah 9:7). Although grace is freely available to everyone who trusts in Christ, He warns that our actions on this earth (or our inaction) will be judged. With that in mind, we should love and care for our neighbors as an active expression of our faith. By showing kindness and mercy to the poor, sick and hurting, we show glimpses of God Himself. First5
“Of God's love we can say two things: it is poured out universally for everyone from the Pope to the loneliest wino on the planet; and secondly, God's love doesn't seek value, it creates value. It is not because we have value that we are loved, but because we are loved that we have value. Our value is a gift, not an achievement.” William Sloane Coffin “Sabbath Moments”
Jesus is a doorman. He opens and shuts doors all the time, and no one can close what he has opened, and no one can open what he has closed. But better than being a doorman, Jesus is the door! In John 10:9 (NCV), he said, “I am the door, and the person who enters through me will be saved…” He controls all gateways and passages from one place to another.
Jesus doesn’t leave us standing in the hallway or outside in the cold. He has something for us—new opportunities, new destinations, new chances to show our faith in him. Right now Jesus is sorting through that vast key ring, looking for the right door for you. He may have to lock and unlock a few other doors first, but one is sure to open soon. Trust him. Max Lucado
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. The New King James Version
The Greek word used here, eirēnē, conveys a range of meanings, including well-being, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, safety from harm, and deliverance from enemies. Paul envisions God’s peace as a soldier who protects the hearts and minds of believers from anxiety, fear, and doubt. Paul’s life offers an example of putting his instruction into practice. Faithlife Study Bible
This describes that which is of honorable character. This word pure is closely associated with the Greek word for holy and thus means “sacred” or “immaculate.” Paul commands the Philippians “to deliberate,” “to evaluate,” “to compute over and over” what is good and pure. In this way, Christians can renew their minds so that they will not conform to the evil habits of this world.
This verb for learned conveys not only the concept of “increasing in intellectual knowledge” but also the idea of “learning by habitual practice.” In some areas of their Christian development the Philippians had been excellent disciples of Paul, practicing what he had taught. The NKJV Study Bible
There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and agrees with a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of fear and distrust, which is sin and folly, and only perplexes and distracts the mind. As a remedy against perplexing care, constant prayer is recommended. Not only stated times for prayer, but in every thing by prayer. We must join thanksgivings with prayers and supplications; not only seek supplies of good, but own the mercies we have received. God needs not to be told our wants or desires; he knows them better than we do; but he will have us show that we value the mercy, and feel our dependence on him. The peace of God, the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
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