"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14, KJV)
The Bible declares Jesus, "is our peace." Any other "peace" is war disguised, deception, counterfeit "peace."
Open Doors' prayer point for today reads as follows: "If the Muslim Brotherhood stays in control, Egypt is moving towards a future of suppression and intensified persecution of Christians. Please ask God to expose the secret plans of the Muslim Brotherhood as a lot of people are being suppressed by the group." I also ask Jesus to "expose secret plans" everywhere, to expose deception "peace," that man may see the One Who Himself, "is our Peace," Jesus Christ. There is no, "good will toward men," who are liars, murderers, anti Christ. The dictionary defines "goodwill" as "friendly disposition; benevolence; kindness." In commerce, "an intangible, salable asset arising from the reputation of a business and its relations with its customers distinct from the value of its stock and other tangible assets." Perhaps the key phrase here is, "relations with its customers." Could we say, "Peace on earth among those who have good "relations with...customers"?!?
The KJV translation of our text is the version with which many of us grew up. This always sounded to me when I was younger like a sort of unconditional, blanket blessing upon mankind, " goodwill toward men," all men, no matter who or what they are. Later, as more and more translations became available, the reality appeared. Yes, there are unconditional "graces" of God upon mankind. The Bible also teaches, however, that you and I have responsibility, that the, "goodwill," spoken of is not God's, but mine. The Amplified Bible says, "Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]." The NASB says, "....and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." The whole of Scripture declares that God is only, "pleased," with, "men of goodwill."
Understand that the angels were not announcing a blanket of goodwill on the earth. They were announcing, "....on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased," i.e., "men of good will." I want to be found pleasing to Him, and my prayer for all during this Christmas Season is for more, "men of good will," in the earth.
Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me, "goodwill." Amen.
*****************
Read more about what is going on with the "Muslim Brotherhood" in Egypt:
www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
The Bible declares Jesus, "is our peace." Any other "peace" is war disguised, deception, counterfeit "peace."
Open Doors' prayer point for today reads as follows: "If the Muslim Brotherhood stays in control, Egypt is moving towards a future of suppression and intensified persecution of Christians. Please ask God to expose the secret plans of the Muslim Brotherhood as a lot of people are being suppressed by the group." I also ask Jesus to "expose secret plans" everywhere, to expose deception "peace," that man may see the One Who Himself, "is our Peace," Jesus Christ. There is no, "good will toward men," who are liars, murderers, anti Christ. The dictionary defines "goodwill" as "friendly disposition; benevolence; kindness." In commerce, "an intangible, salable asset arising from the reputation of a business and its relations with its customers distinct from the value of its stock and other tangible assets." Perhaps the key phrase here is, "relations with its customers." Could we say, "Peace on earth among those who have good "relations with...customers"?!?
The KJV translation of our text is the version with which many of us grew up. This always sounded to me when I was younger like a sort of unconditional, blanket blessing upon mankind, " goodwill toward men," all men, no matter who or what they are. Later, as more and more translations became available, the reality appeared. Yes, there are unconditional "graces" of God upon mankind. The Bible also teaches, however, that you and I have responsibility, that the, "goodwill," spoken of is not God's, but mine. The Amplified Bible says, "Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]." The NASB says, "....and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." The whole of Scripture declares that God is only, "pleased," with, "men of goodwill."
Understand that the angels were not announcing a blanket of goodwill on the earth. They were announcing, "....on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased," i.e., "men of good will." I want to be found pleasing to Him, and my prayer for all during this Christmas Season is for more, "men of good will," in the earth.
Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me, "goodwill." Amen.
*****************
Read more about what is going on with the "Muslim Brotherhood" in Egypt:
www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
