"But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.   There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." ~~Isaiah 57:20-21.

     We used to see peace symbols here and there.   They expressed a kind of a desire for peace, but they gave no one peace.   In China I saw men seeking peace in opium dens.   Today we hear of many Americans seeking peace through cocaine, heroin and other kinds of narcotics, or alcohol, but such things give only a transient feeling of peace and in the end an 'unprepared for' death.

     Peace only comes when a boy or girl, man or woman gets right with God personally.   When they repent and trust Christ as a personal Savior.

     "Therefore being justified by faith we HAVE PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~~Romans 5:1.   Getting right with God gives a peace that is better than any other kind.   You can talk to God at any time, tell Him your troubles, and rest and sleep in peace, knowing that He is almighty and He will take care of you.

     No matter how men may talk and plan this world will never know peace till Jesus comes, but you can have peace with God right now by simple faith, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

     There is a false peace of this world.   Jesus said to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."John 14:27.

     "NOT AS THE WORLD GIVETH."   The world may give a cessation of hostilities and much worldly pleasure and call it, "Peace."   But still God's Word is true:    "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."   The world may compromise with Satan as in unionism, United Nations, or surrender to Satan as in Communism, but there is no peace of heart in any of it for anyone.

     "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6.

     A woman lay dying in the hospital, and a preacher asked her if she had made her peace with God.   "No," was her reply.   Then he earnestly urged her to make her peace with God before she went out into eternity to meet Him.   The woman replied, "I do not need to make peace with God, Jesus did that for me when He died upon the cross.   Now I have peace because I rest in what He did for me."

     Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace.   He had to become a man, and for all mankind he died upon the cross.   Therefore through faith in Him we are "justified," made righteous, and have peace with God through Him, not through anything we can do ourselves.

     Today people of all nations have peace with one another through Jesus Christ.   Paul taught that in Ephesians 2:11-19.   He is speaking to Gentiles, and except for Jews all the people of the earth are Gentiles.   He says, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God" Ephesians 2:19.   So Paul says we have the same citizenship and the same household or family.   A child of God is in the family of God and is a citizen of heaven.

     A Chinese Christian was traveling by ship to Singapore.   As he traveled he would bring his Bible with him on deck and sit in a deck chair while he read it.   Then he noticed that a man from India sitting in another chair was reading a book that looked very much like a Bible.   The Indian gentleman also looked at the Chinese very curiously, then he stood up, walked over to the Chinese gentleman and said in a loud voice, "Hallelujah!"   The other man stood up and with the same joyous voice said, "Amen!"   The two embraced one another and rejoiced, for although neither could speak the other's language, each knew that the other was acquainted with the same Lord Jesus Christ.

     There is a PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING.   Even when I was a prisoner of the Japanese during World War II I did very little worrying because God's Word always gave me peace.

     I remember the night of February 22, 1945.   I went to bed more hungry than usual because I had not had time to clean and cook the hand full of rice given me.   But I took the verses of Philippians 4:6&7 with me to bed to think upon, and soon I was rejoicing in the blessings they gave me.

     The next morning as I started to cook that bit of rice, men in parachutes came dropping into our camp, and fifty great "amtrak," amphibious tractors like barges came rolling into camp.   With caterpillar tread they rolled over fences, trees, anything in their way and also traveled on water.   That day along with over two thousand others, I was taken out from behind enemy lines and across water to a place of safety prepared for us where we all received plenty of delicious American food.   May you also know the Peace that Passeth Understanding that comes through Christ Jesus.

     Before going to die on the cross Jesus told his disciples gathered there with Him, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.   Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."   It has been said that this is the last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ.   It is a Will that can never be broken, and for every child of God it is yours for the taking.

Link

     Mountain View Baptist Church of Kelso, Washington hosts a fellowship meeting the second Friday of each month.   At the one coming up Friday December 11th 2009 they plan to ordain two men.    Tony Marquand to be ordained as a minister of the Gospel, and Tim Handcock to be ordained as a deacon.   If you can, come and help celebrate this happy occasion.   If you cannot, please pray for these men as they embark on a life devoted to God's service.

     If your church has a special meeting coming up that you would like mentioned here, please E-Mail me at edit@BaptistLandmarks.org and let me know.   I will put it in the next issue.

Letters To The Editor

     Still there have been no letters to the editor.   Folks if you want to respond to something you have read in "Baptist Landmarks" please E-Mail your response to edit@BaptistLandmarks.org   Your response will be printed here.

     I would like to have a cartoon in each issue if possible.   If there is someone reading this paper who can draw cartoons that will cause us to laugh at the foolish things we sometimes do and cause us to think of how we could better serve our Savior, please E-Mail me and let me know.

     THE LOWLY ONE


     Perhaps he’s a ragged beggar;
     Not much promise there -
     How easy then, to pass him by,
     Not even breathe a prayer!


     But ‘neath the beard and dirty rags;
     Who knows the sin and shame
     That might forever be removed
     By Jesus’ precious name?


     Perhaps that one so deep in sin,
     Could yet be touched and won,
     If only you would pause awhile
     And tell him of the Son!


     Who knows? The one who seems so low,
     If brought to Christ the Lord,
     Might someday strengthen you in need;
     He might even preach the Word!


     So, don’t pass by the lowly ones,
     Their souls are precious too.
     And remember, but for the grace of God;
     Such were some of you!


     You see, Lazarus was a beggar,
     But having listened to the Word;
     While the rich man suffers hell’s fire;
     He's in heaven with the Lord!

Fred C. Creel

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