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This blog is about a phrase that I’d hear sometimes from Benny Hinn. I remember in 1991, when a sister in the Lord, Ruth, was watching a “healing televangelist” on t.v. named Benny Hinn. She told me, “Hey Trent, you ever seen Benny Hinn?” Nope, I hadn’t. I was 19 years old.

I accepted the Lord in my heart in the summer of 1987. I was a babe in Christ and thought I knew everything. I still hadn’t dealt with my mother’s death or things in my childhood. I did not have a spiritual foundation established. I can say for me personally, that discipleship is a must. I need it. Otherwise, I am a mess. Disciple means “learner.” So, you become and do what you learn because of Who He is in you. The willfulness to ‘do’ is Christ in you by His faith through grace.

Since I did not not have an established foundation I stumbled, became frustrated and rebelled thinking no one understood me. Got into drugs, drinking, and sex. Deep down inside I was not aware how numb my heart was or how much pain I had not dealt with. Like a previous blog, “Ticket to heaven“, that’s what thought salvation in Christ was. Man, was I wrong.

I have gotten off on a tangent here, but that’s okay it is a blog. So, along comes a guy named Josh into my life when I am at one of several rebellious, confused, angry stages in my life. Josh is Ruth’s brother. Josh introduces me to Narcisso (Narc) while I am tripping out on two tabs of double dipped acid and a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. Josh was trying to get me back into the sheepfold. He did.

This was my first reconciliation of many with the Lord. I have come to realize reconciliation does not change. The work of reconciliation is His completed work. Me reconciling was something I felt I needed to do ‘to get me back on track.’ Christ did not fall of the throne. He didn’t go anywhere. My see-saw testimony of Him was horrible, but His love did not change. This still boggles my brain. Over the years, when I ‘reconcile’, many times I expect Him to say, “Now, that’s it. I’ve had it with you. Nope, not this time”, but He doesn’t. His immutable and unchanging mercy and goodness continually works repentance in me unto godliness, Romans 2:4.

So, it’s 1991, and I am part of a church youth group. This was actually new to me. I was not aware that other teenagers loved Jesus too. This was a wonderful surprise. This youth group welcomed me like I was a long lost relative. Man, what a beautiful memory I will always cherish. These people are my spiritual family and will always have a very deep, special place in my heart.

Finally, back to the Benny Hinn. I had never seen someone move in the gifts of the Spirit. In his meetings, people would walk out wheel chairs, blind see, deaf hear, etc. I went to one of his meetings in San Antonio. It was interesting.

When I saw these healings and miracles happening on t.v. i was awestruck, energized, and inspired. Perhaps you could say at that time, that some Christians viewed Benny Hinn as the Christian Michael Jordan. Now that I am a little older, I have a different opinion than I did when I was younger. Christ is the Who He is in any believer. Benny Hinn is just a man who moves in the gifts. I learned to be motivated by grace and not sight. Jesus talks in the gospels about those looking for signs, Luke 11:29.

Well, I remember Mr. Hinn would say while under the anointing of the Spirit, “Don’t touch me” to the members of the audience who were brought to the platform to give their testimony. I suppose he could be referring to Christ and the woman with the issue of blood who touched the hem of His garment and the issue of blood stopped, Luke 8:43-48.

Jesus said, “Who touched me?” Benny Hinn said, “Don’t touch me.”

In Luke 8:43-48, Jesus said he perceived ‘virtue’ had gone out of Him. I believe Benny Hinn said, “Don’t touch me” to possibly maintain the anointing so it wouldn’t leak out so to speak. To me, the motive here could appear as fear, “Don’t touch me!” When Jesus tells Thomas touch His hands and side, John 20:27.

I believe Jesus said, “Who touched me?” because He wanted to know who had so much faith. He hadn’t seen much faith in His ministry and this most definitely caught His attention. Many others inadvertently touched Him in the crowd, but when this woman touched Him in faith virtue left Him. I am of the opinion, that all of Christ’s virtue could not “leak” out of Him if hypothetically everyone in the crowd was dead and touched Him. He would resurrect them all. Colossians 1:9, 2:9 state that all fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells in Christ. In His fullness, there is nothing lacking whatsoever. Nothing.

I recall about 5 years ago (my wife can correct me if I’m inaccurate), my wife had a dream that her and I just got off a plane and were going to stay the night in China I believe. The sleeping arrangements were literally like bunk beds she said. I’m guessing she saw a Hard sleeper (Chinese: 硬卧; pinyin: Yìngwò). These are small bunk beds for travelers on trains in China. She said someone in the dream said, “Well, tomorrow we’re going to Nepal.” Ever since she had this dream, the thought has grown in us like a seed. Since then, I’ve kept up with news about Nepal and the country has encountered an end to its monarchy after 240 years.

On August 9th, 2008, (my wife’s birthday) I had a dream about Joyce Meyer. These are things I wonder if I should write about, but then I think to myself, “This is a blog.” This is the purpose of a blog.

In the dream, I walked into a store of some type. Reminds me of a ~2000 square foot children’s learning center. I saw children and people who seemed to be her staff. When I saw Mrs. Meyer she appeared older. Her hair was gray and face was apparently aged. She seemed to be in her eighties. I saw her and continued to ‘browse’ around. I went to the restroom. Walking into the restroom, I saw a little table and chair with children’s books on the table. I thought to myself, “How odd?” I left the restroom back into the store and I approached Joyce Meyer. I recall having a desire to tell her about ‘PushingPeanuts.’ She seemed to be preoccupied with the administration responsibilities of the store and gave me some forms to fill out so I could join some sort of bible study school. I didn’t even ask for the forms, but I got them anyways. Now, I was somewhat confused. I gave the forms back and explain I did not have a need for the forms and took her to a computer within the store and begin to show her the PushingPeanuts website. I wake up.

Here is the blog part. This is my opinion of the interpretation of the dream. Totally subjective.

Metaphorically speaking, Joyce Meyer is the modern day church of the West at least. The children’s reading table arrangement in the restroom should not be there. This implies disorder. A brother in Christ, told me once the worst order is chaotic disorder. The age of Mrs. Meyer reminds me of the phrase, “without wrinkle” in Ephesians 5:27. Wrinkle reminds me of “fallen” in Galatians 5:4. In the Greek, “fallen” means “flowers that wither in the course of nature.” What could that imply? To me, it reminds me of the curse of death after Adam’s fall. Prior to the Fall, man lived forever in his fleshly body. Isaiah 24:6 also speaks of a global curse. Essentially, wrinkles mean the curse of the law. Galatians 3:11-13.

Reflecting back on this dream, I didn’t know what the forms could mean? Right now, as I am writing I got goose bumps all the way to my shoulders. This thought came to mind. The forms she attempted to give me remind me of 2 Cor. 3:6 which says, “The letter killeth.” The Law of the Old Covenant kills on purpose. This is elaborated in “Sick and Tired.” This tells me that is why I did not need or desire the forms.

Lastly, her preoccupation with administration reminds me of the theme of PushingPeanuts. The law will wear you out. It will make you so preoccupied with works that there is an almost certain guarantee of loosing spiritual equilibrium. It is like fighting in a boxing ring with an opponent whose stamina is always more than yours. Once your stamina (self-strength) gives out, the enemy comes in with a body blow of works and an uppercut of accusation and condemnation. Due to the delirium of works under that law, it is relatively easy to be confused and disoriented. Bam!, knock out. This has been my walk for years with cyclic up and downs becoming spiritually bipolar. No more! Not in Christ, Who was hung on tree and made a curse for me! Galatians 3:11-13.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

“ O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is still churning and fermenting in me. So, some more questions came to mind.

• Who does sound doctrine come from? Essentially, Christ and the revelation of who He is and what He has done for us. Scripturally, Eph. 2:20 states the foundation of the Church is built on the apostles and prophets. Apostles and prophets impart (Phil. 1:7) foundational, sound doctrine. Sound doctrine comes from Christ the apostle (Heb. 3:1) or prophet (Matt. 21:11) within the apostle or prophet. Paul says over and over again the phrase, “In Him” or “In Christ” for a reason.
• How does sound doctrine universally effect the church? It fulfills the purpose of its Creator. It creates Eph. 4:4-6 which states “[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.” Sound doctrine does not create or cause schisms, dissensions, factions or divisions. As Paul says in Gal. 1:6-7, there is another gospel that really isn’t another gospel. I am of the opinion this other gospel creates the divisions in the Body of Christ. This gospel points to self-justification and self-promotion that causes strife and discord.
• What is another attribute of sound doctrine? As mentioned in the previous blogs, the Greek root word of ‘sound’ means growth. Luke 8:11 indicates the Word of God is likened to a seed. A seed is organic. The organic nature of a seed implies it is Alive! If true sound doctrine is received then its organic nature is received as well. Well, that’s nice. In essence, this means LIFE is received or imparted supernaturally with sound doctrine, 2 Cor. 3:6. If sound doctrine is not being delivered then there is a likelihood the attribute of life will not either. So, what is this life that is received? Gal. 2:20, John 14:6, Philippians 2:16, 1 John 1:1. It is His life received by grace through His faith.
• What else does it produce? Colossians 1:5-6 indicates sound doctrine brings forth the fruit of the Spirit. It produces and imparts His righteousness, Eph. 5:9. Out of this righteousness, comes forth fruit of the Spirit.

This is a totally, absolute contrast to a doctrine that preaches and teaches works. If I am self-justified by what I do alone (Gal. 3:11-12) then I am under the Old Covenant. Christ is the Testator of the New Covenant, Heb. 9:16-17. We are ministers of the New Covenant, 2 Cor. 3:6. A spiritual house or body built on works is arbitrary, disorderly, misguided, deviant, carnal, internally divided, deformed, incomplete, fragmented and lacks structural integrity. It is a house that looks like a house, but is actually a straw house that can be blown away or burnt. 1 Cor. 3:12-13.

Did some more digging on auxanō. It is the root of the Greek word for ‘sound’ in ‘sound doctrine’.

It means “to cause to grow, augment, increase, or become greater.”

Two more things come to mind regarding the distinction between revelation from the Lord and sound doctrine. One is, if authentic, legitimate, genuine sound doctrine is received and takes deep root (which it naturally does) it causes an increase in faith, righteousness unto holiness and overall growth.

Fundamentally, it causes authentic, real, non-religious, eternal growth. Hence, a new creation in Christ. This new creation is constantly growing in Him. Otherwise, it is not sound doctrine. In my walk the past few years I know if I am growing spiritually. I know when I am growing spiritually. I used to not know this at all and would constantly question my growth and my spirituality. This would set me up to be pommeled by the enemy or self-abuse due self-judgment or self-condemnation.

In human development, growth occurs at an exponential rate on a cellular level from fertilization, to embryo, to fetus and birth. My point is I believe growth in Christ is exponential as well. It has to be. John 1:16, 2 Cor. 3:18, Col. 1:19. God is exponential in His nature from a microscopic nature to a macroscopic. Quantum physics to the universe and multiple dimensions. At one point in time, man did not know what a quark was ~40 years ago. Now, we have a classification of this type of particle. If all things were created by Him and for Him and all things consist by Him then I am of the opinion there is no end to the molecular universe. It is exponential. It is exponential because a divine, infinite, exponential Creator designed it that way!

This leads to another thing. Sound doctrine supernaturaly creates immovable and eternal foundation, Matt. 7:25, 1 Cor. 15:58. God is all self-sufficient. He is not in need. He created man because He is the Creator. It is in His nature to create. Perfect love is not self-seeking. He was not lonely. This absolute self-sufficiency speaks of His fullness. His fullness is inexhaustible, limitless and more. How can something or someone who is inexhaustible or limitless be moved? There is no fear in Him. Only perfect Love. He is uncompromising, absolute Truth. His Truth is immovable in us. As we grow in Him by revelation, sound doctrine, and experience we become immovable in Him. We become apprehended by the undeniable convincing truth of Who He is and this apprehension becomes us. It is us in Him and Him in us by His enabling power.

My mother died June 24th, 1986 . I was 13 years old on my way to 8th grade. Later that summer, I remember going to football practice and telling my good friend my mom had died over the summer. He voiced his sympathy. The tone in his voice told me I wasn’t the only child whom she showed her unique motherly love to. It was a nice thought to know at that time. My mother was 34 years old when she died. Her birthday was coming up in July. My grandmother and aunt also died the previous year during August. My father’s (her son) birthday is on August 10th. Another aunt on my mother’s side also died in 1988. Her husband was my mom’s brother. Her and my mother were like sisters. Needless to say 1985-1988 were rough. In 1987, I accepted the Lord. I did not have a spiritual foundation. I was a babe in Christ.

At my mother’s death, the list of ailments I can recall were: rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1, and hypertension. My mother took steroids prescribed by the doctors to combat the arthritis. This aged her organs and body to an elderly woman. Her body could not fight anymore. She fought very long against the disease. The timing of her death was accelerated when a large man stepped on her foot at a Catholic church bizarre (I think that is what it was called?). Bizarres were huge potlucks and get togethers. The ones I went to also had beer. Her foot was lacerated. The wound did not heal and gangrene developed. I remember going to a Pentecostal church and a healing evangelist was there. He and several elders prayed for my mother. Many of her fingers straightened out, her diabetes disappeared, and her arches grew back. This was a miracle.

Of course, the enemy does what he does and came back to steal, kill and destroy. With no spiritual foundation in Christ for my father, mother or their marriage. The healing slowly disappeared. The gospel of Luke speaks of the enemy taking the Word out of the heart, Luke 8:12. Along with the healing disappearing came frustration and everything else the enemy could try to use for leverage.

After the gangrene developed, one toe was amputated. Then another. The last time we were at the hospital the doctor said we will need to cut off the foot from the ankle down. My mother and father cried. My mother began to tell my father of the routine to call the friends and relatives she was in the hospital. My father was use to the routine. He had taken her so many times to the emergency room, doctor visits, and inpatient surgeries. My father loved my mother. They were the best of friends and worst enemies at times, but I knew they loved each other deeply. My father rescued my mom and believe it or not my mom rescued my dad.

When I heard my mom mention ‘the call the relative routine’ I heard her saying good-bye in this lifetime. When I heard this, I yelled loudly, “No!” My father interpreted it as opposition to making the phone calls, but I meant no to my mother going away. Later that day, she died and I saw her body and held her cold hand. You could tell she was so tired. I prayed for her with what I thought was faith, but she was gone. Previous to this, she died on the operating table three times and came back. This time she was ready. I don’t blame her. I understand now. A core part of who I am today is her.

So, do I think it was God’s will that my mother die? No. I believe given the circumstances what happened has happened. What I do believe with all my heart is she is not dead. She is asleep, Matt. 9:24, Mark 5:39, Acts 7:60. There is a huge difference. My mother is alive with the Lord in glory! She is not dead. I know this deeply in my heart now. I have great hope and assurance in my heart of where she is. I know she is with the Lord. I really know this. At one point, I believed the words I read in the bible and knew my mom accepted the Lord in her heart, but now it is much different. I KNOW. I just know it.

What about all that my mom went through and the diseases? Was that God’s will? No, John 9:1-3, 1 Tim. 2:4. 1 Tim. 2:4, speaks of salvation. The Greek word for salvation means made whole spirit, soul and body.

Was it possible that my mother could have been made whole physically? Most definitely. Why wasn’t she? The faith to move mountains was not fully matured yet. As mentioned before, the enemy attempts to steal the seed, the Word.

Next question. Will I or my children, grandchildren, or any future generation ‘inherent’ rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1, and hypertension. No. Disease and sickness speak of a curse. If I believe John 3:16 then I also believe what John 3:16 accomplishes, Galatians 3:13. Christ was actually made a curse for me and whosoever so we would no longer be under a curse ever! Revelation 22:3. Also, if the power of death does not have power over Christ in me then how could a curse? In Christ, if I can’t die, then how can disease much less have any power? If it did then I’d have rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1, and hypertension. I believe a good diet and exercise profit a little, but godliness by grace through faith is ultimately what truly profits. The benefits of godliness are eternal. Diet and exercise are only in this life.

Lastly, I remember a few years back I was either approaching 30 years of age or was already. My wife and I were having car problems. It was night with cold drizzling rain. I went to look under my car to see what was wrong. The car was okay. When I got up I had a peculiar ache in my wrists. The same area my mother’s arthritis started. I actually heard a whisper in my mind, “This is the beginning of arthritis.” It almost sounded like I imagined it, but I didn’t. It was so subtle. I thought to myself the truth of Galatians 3:13 and said to myself, “I am not under a curse. Jesus is my all in all. He did it all for me.” The pain dissipated. I did not question or entertain the thought later because I stood on the Word in me. The Word fell on good soil in my heart. 2 Cor. 10:5.

As far as the future health of my family, I have Psalms 33:11, 89:1, 89:4, 100:5, 102:12, 105:8, 119:90, 1 Peter 1:23 to stand on. There are many more scripture references, but that’ll do.

I am persuaded that the Word in me will not only continue in future family generations as it has already up to me, but will also grow more into the full stature of Christ. This will occur according to His promise and grace and not because of me. It already has occurred. I am living proof. To back it up, I recently discovered in some genealogy research that my German ancestors were members of the local parish council (elders) and one went to school with Martin Luther. When I discovered this it reaffirmed in me what I already knew. That God’s word is incorruptible and continues through all generations.

Sound doctrine to me is knowledge that manifests itself supernaturally inside my spirit by the witness of the Holy Spirit. It is comparable, but newer than the birth of a child. How is that possible? Not sure, but that is how I can describe it. I know in my ‘knower’ this knowledge existed before me. It is new, but has been around before the foundations of the earth. I like the definition of newness from Romans 6:4: recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn, of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of. It is this and more. It has given me power in my life to overcome porn, cocaine, nicotine, deep-rooted resentment, rage, excessive drinking, glossophobia, chicken choking (PG version. This is the truth.), and self-judgment. There’s probably more, but that is what I could think of. What is really the most awesome part is there was a time I did not do the above because “I was not supposed to.” This is not godliness. That is bizarre behavior. It drove me nuts because I would get tired of maintaining some sort of spiritual status quo. Eventually, I would stumble and go on the marry-go-round again. The reason I do not participate or practice any of the above or related behavior is because I sincerely don’t want to. I am serious. That is one of the many reasons behind creating this blog, spiritual freedom and identity in Christ.

The Greek word for sound in ‘sound doctrine’ is hugiaino. The root of hugiaino is auxanō. Auxano can mean the following,

1) to cause to grow, augment
2) to increase, become greater
3) to grow, increase. i.e. plants, infants, multitude of people, inward Christian growth

Sound doctrine metabolizes me. It consumes and absorbs me. It becomes my identity. Sound doctrine is the knowledge of Christ. Isn’t this what Paul talked about in Phil. 3:8-10? As I am metabolized, I perceive an actual inner man in me growing. I am not joking. I perceive him sometimes when I sleep or go to work. This inner man is the resurrected Christ in me! I flipped out when I realized that.  I believe this is why Paul prays for strength in the inner man, Eph. 3:16. Strength by the power of Christ’s resurrection. I believe death has never had power of Christ. If He is in me then death has no power over me. This is possible because death is powerless against resurrecting power. I know this because of sound doctrine that goes into the roots of my being and even deeper than that. I’m serious. As I write this, my belly is filling up (not joking.) With what? Luke 4:4. Revelation of Him. My spirit man is fed. We are triune beings. Spirit, soul and body. All three were created to be fed and nurtured. If the spirit is dead it may not be aware it needs to be nurtured.

I believe Romans 6:17 speaks of sound doctrine entering in and accomplishing its purpose.

I also believe sound doctrine can be tainted with the slightest bit of a doctrine based on works the doctrine is diluted severely. 1 Cor. 5:6, Gal. 5:9.

If someone tells me I have to do anything and I mean anything to justify myself before God and Christ they are a minister of another gospel. 2 Cor. 11:4, Gal. 1:6-7.

The gospel of grace that ministers sound doctrine tells me Christ is my righteousness. 1 Cor. 1:30, Gal. 2:21, Phil. 3:9.

Sound doctrine eternally changes lives for the better. Not unto religion that looks like it. Sound doctrine does not go away. Once it is received, it stays.

Once the metabolic process of absorption begins, it continues its work and the effects are seen in the life to come! 1 Tim. 4:8, Phil. 1:6. This continuance of work is not performed by me, but by His enabling power and ability. Sound doctrine passively dynamic in me. These passive effects enable me to bear the fruit of the Spirit by faith through grace.

Personally, sound doctrine is what I’ve always spiritually desired. It makes my life richer, fulfilling, fun, exciting, easier, endurance for difficult times, and pray or bless someone instead of curse them. It also makes me want more of it. Once you get a taste you want more. Sounds like Phil. 3.

A while back my wife told me our neighbor thought I was a courier. Hence the title, “What can brown do for you?” At first thought, it seemed odd, but later I thought about it and it dawned on me that in Christ that is what I am.

I am reminded of Acts 16:16-17, “Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune‑telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

I believe the enemy can bring revelation just as he did for this girl in Acts 16. This revelation is either invalid, not necessarily the truth, and has an evil motive. In this case, she actually had a partial glimpse of Paul and Silas’s spiritual identity and motive. I believe the enemy’s motive was persecution of Paul and Silas for ministering the revelation of Christ and His gospel of grace. In other words, the enemy wanted them to shut up, but that’s not going to happen. Paul and Silas were flogged and thrown in jail. Coincidently, a perfect timed earthquake occurs and sets them free and they lead many to Christ.

Am I saying that my neighbor can predict the future by some spirit? Not necessarily, but for some reason when she saw me she thought, “Hmmm, he must be a courier.” For the record, I have been in the high-tech industry now for almost 16 years. At 18 or 19, I did deliver microfiche. So, I was a courier of sorts about 17 years ago. Now, I am an analyst in I/T. So, why in the world would I give this impression? Personally, something for me to chew on. Interesting though.

So, what is a courier? I like this definition in particular,

Dictionary.com: A messenger, especially one on official diplomatic business.

This definition reminds me of the Greek word, apostolos. It is translated into English in the Authorized Version as: apostle 78, messenger 2, he that is sent 1

Apostle (apostolos from apo = from + stello = send forth) means one sent forth from by another, often with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work. It can be a delegate, commissioner, ambassador sent out on a mission or orders or commission and with the authority of the one who sent him.

Romans 1:5 says, “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”

In Christ, we are all His ambassadors with His message written in our hearts ready to deliver by grace through His faith.

2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,”

2 Corinthians 3:3, “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

Nowadays, I don’t think many things occur in my life by happenstance or coincidence, but according to His purpose. I believe the same for the His Body the Church.

Ephesians 1:11, ” In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will:“

I’ve noticed things happen in my walk sometimes that I may take for granted and would be beneficial if I’d share the experience. So, I am.

• I prayed a few days ago for the Lord to bring those who He desires into my walk to show them this site.
• I’ve been having some challenges with my vehicle lately and prayed about that as well. I prayed, “I don’t know how, but I pray Lord that you help me or bring someone to me who can help me with my vehicle. Thank you Lord. Amen.”

Today, after service I ran into two brothers whom I gave a business card to for Pushing Peanuts. Not to supernatural there, but cool for me because I’ve been wanting to spread the awareness of this blog site.

Afterwards, for lunch, I went to H.E.B. and ran into a sister from a home group my wife and I attend. I’ve not seen this sister at H.E.B. prior to this, but happen to run into her. Gave her a business card.

Later, in the afternoon, I acquired some nice suite tickets from my company to attend a Round Rock Express baseball game. My sons were getting bored so I took them to the playground within the stadium. On the way over I run into another brother from the same home group the other sister was from. Gave him a business card.

Next, I take the boys to the playground. They play there and then we go to the batting tees. I go and purchase to tickets for the batting tees and on a mother tells the ticket attendant she lost her child and needs help finding him. Ironically, the last time we were at this stadium the same thing happened. We prayed that child be found. They had a search party looking for that child. I am believing the best that the child (from the last instance) was located.

This time around, after I heard this mother in need I immediately prayed again that the Lord bring this mother’s child back to her. I thanked Him and walked away to the batting tees with my sons. They hit the baseballs and we left. On the way out, I see the same mother holding her son who is in tears. Now that is pretty awesome.

That is the kind of God I serve. One that I can instantly pray to and miracles happen. Loosing a child in a stadium of thousands of people is serious stuff. I would not have wanted to be in her shoes. I am so glad to have the Lord to call in the good times and times of need. I can’t imagine not knowing Him.

Lastly, we go to T.G.I.F.’s for dinner. We meet a man and his wife who we saw the day before at our mutual friend’s son one year old birthday party. Just so happen to see him at this restaurant.  Well, he is a mechanic on the side and has the exact tool that could be used to diagnose and/or fix my vehicle. Point is he is a mechanic who I didn’t know was a mechanic yesterday. I didn’t know he was going to be at the restaurant, but I knew God would answer my prayer and He did.

Isaiah 59:1, ” Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”

The Greek word for peace is eirene from the verb eiro. Eiro means “to bind or join together what is broken or divided.” The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. “Shalom comes from the root verb Shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew, the related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.”

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit that is borne by faith through grace, Galatians 5:22.

Lately in my walk, I have been growing in the understanding and knowledge of this “peace.” Christ is my peace. His is peace.

John 14:27, “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.”

Ephesians 2:14-15, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;”

This “new man” that Christ has created by resurrecting from the dead dwells in me. This “new man” did not exist prior to knowing Christ. By His faith through grace, this new man was created again in me, Galatians 4:19.

Recently, when I have gone to bed, or am in the elevator, or at my desk at work I encounter a resonating cognizance of another me in me, but it is me. Yep, I know, I’m starting to sound crazy. That’s what I was thinking until I searched the Word and found Ephesians 3:16, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” I have come to realize, understand and am starting to grasp that there is an inner man who has been resurrected in me. I am persuaded the Lord allowed me to see this by grace. Ephesians 2:1 says we are “quickened.” This inner man was dead, but now is made alive in Him. If he is dead then what is there to be aware of? This is my personal experience and everyone is different. I wasn’t taking any medication or tired. To be honest, I usually was thinking about the Word. So, the next question may be, “If I think about the Word this will happen to me?” It could, but the motive is His motive and that is when it happens. I did not conjure this, but it was by His will and grace, Hebrews 2:4.

Back to peace. So, in this “new man” I have peace. Christ IS peace in me. I have His peace from the guilt, power, and penalty of sin. My inner man is new. The word “new” in the Greek means novel, never been done before, fresh, of a new kind, unprecedented, uncommon, and unheard of. This “new man” in me is all of these and more. It is Christ or God in me and me in Him.

Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:”

Colossians 1:19, “For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fullness dwell;”

Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Since I have right-standing with God by faith I have peace.

Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

The faith doesn’t hinge on me, but on hearing and hearing the Word of God. The ability to hear and motive to hear doesn’t hinge on me, but His grace, Ephesians 2:8.

My mind is at peace and is guarded along with my heart by His peace.

Romans 8:6, “For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.”

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I am not writing this just to quote the bible either. What I am saying is, “That my mind and heart is really at peace!” Don’t know how else to say it? Christ is very real and what He offers and gives is very real. It is more real than the air I breathe. If it wasn’t real in my life then I wouldn’t waste my time writing this stuff. This is so real to me that I can’t help but write it. Sometimes, explosions of light, truth, faith and revelation permeate inside me and I have to share. I have to because I want Paul said, “The love of God compels us.” I write or share only if the Lord leads me to do so. Christ is not going to push Himself on someone and demand their soul. There is no room for a free-will in that scenario. He says, “Come, you who are thirsty and drink.” Come because you want to not because someone told you to. According to the good pleasure of God’s will, we are His children by the Spirit of adoption and not slaves, Ephesians 1:5. A child has a choice. In Christ, we serve Him according to His will in us because we choose to do so according to faith by grace.

In Him, I am no longer fearful of the judgment of the law, other peoples’ judgment, or any self-judgment.

1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.”