Way of Peace

Dear Friend, 

Jesus speaks to our hearts today! His words are rich. They have a lingering presence. His words are never burdensome or harsh. Instead, they uplift and give life. 

We are left in awe and reverence. Nothing we did earned His love and adoration. 

Even His corrections are sweet. Remember when He corrected His disciples? A storm was about to sink their boat and they woke up Jesus in a panic. His response was, “O ye of little faith”. He wasn’t angry at them for waking Him from rest, which He probably sorely needed. No, He was sad they didn’t fully realize the power and victory He possessed or had given to them. 

Jesus then proceeded to fix their problem, the storm. He is so smooth. He is never caught off guard or anxious. What a Master we serve!

Yes, Jesus showed anger toward the Pharisees and other religious leaders of the day, but even that was a sign of immense mercy toward mankind. These religious leaders bound impossible rules and regulations in the name of God around the necks of their followers. Jesus’ love demanded He risk His own life and reputation for the sake of the poor and downtrodden. 

Recently, Jesus spoke clearly to my heart. He said: “Let your mouth be filled with the richness of My grace. Watch and see your life be fruitful and multiply beyond your imagination this year!”

I immediately began to study this word in THE WORD. The Bible says to test prophecy. I certainly want to be ready! And I know you do too! We are partners together! This word is as much for you as it is for me. Remember, it is all by His unmerited grace!

Here are some astounding truths:

1. THE MOUTH: things enter and exit the body through the mouth.

INTAKE: Have you heard the saying, “You are what you eat”? The same could be said spiritually. Feed on garbage that makes Jesus small and insignificant; live a weak life. Feed on the goodness of God’s grace revealed through Jesus; live a strong, vigorous spiritual life. 

God’s word is food: “Desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.    (1 Peter 2:3). 

OUTGOING: James said in chapter three that the tongue is the rudder of our life. It is small, but wields incredible power over our own life and the lives of others. 

By our words we believe: “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

By our words we can bless others: “The lips of the righteous feed many.” (Proverbs 10:21)

Jesus used words to heal the sick: “The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed’.^” (Matthew 8:8-13)

2. RICHNESS OF JESUS: Have you ever bit into a piece of fruit and the rich flavor of the juices astounded your taste buds? The sweetness of the flavor left you longing for more. 

Jesus is sweeter, more palatable than the most nourishing food we can dream of.

Jesus is the word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) 

The word tastes sweet: “Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb”. (Ps 19:10)

The word tastes good: “taste and see that the Lord is good!”. (Ps 34:8)

Life will leave many tastes in our mouth. Perhaps hardship or trial has left your taste buds filled with a bitter taste. Life is no respecter of person. Rich or poor, young and old, male or female, life throws us lemons. Sometimes those lemons leave a permanent bitter taste in our mouth. 

Often religion serves to enhance that bitterness. Statements like, “God caused this trial to teach you something,” or “there must be some sin in your life that caused this great catastrophe,” are cruel creations of the father of lies himself. These beliefs drive us away from God, not towards Him. Say “no!” to these lies. 

Instead, chew on these tasty treats:  
• We are righteous, in perfect right standing with God, because of Jesus’ sacrifice.
• We are qualified to receive all good things from God.
• We are healed by Jesus’ stripes.
• We have inherited the blessings of Abraham.
• We have the mind of Christ, spiritually and mentally. 
• We have wisdom and creativity of Jesus for life. 
• We are somebody in Christ. 

Doesn’t it taste rich? My insides are doing somersaults with joy. 

The list could continue on for page upon page. God’s word is full of rich words of life and grace. 

3. FRUITFUL & MULTIPLIED LIFE: God is clear throughout the Old and New Testament that His blessing produces fruitfulness and multiplication in every area of our life!  

Our covenant ensures it!: “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” (Hebrews 6:14)

Abraham’s blessings are ours!: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us… that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
(Galatians 3:13-14)

Abraham was rich: financially, emotionally, spiritually, physically… in every way. He didn’t receive every promise right away. Remember he waited many years to have his son Isaac, but he did receive and ended his life well off. 

You and I will too! Jesus has made a covenant with us, to bless and multiply us! 

4. JESUS’ GRACE:Grace is crucial. Even Abraham made mistakes, yet he was blessed through his covenant with God. We are human, and will make mistakes. It is not our worthiness that brings the blessing, but His worthiness. Accept His amazing grace for yourself and for others!

Toward ourselves: “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

Toward others: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)

Your feet are beautiful! How do I know? You share the gospel of peace every month throughout Israel through Way of Peace Ministries! Of course, that is not the only way you share the gospel, but it certainly is one way. 

Even our giving is by grace! The Apostle Paul makes it clear over and over! 

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…. he who gives, with liberality.” (Romans 12:6 & 8)

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich”. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Life is good! What a relaxed life. Jesus supplies the seed for us to partake in sowing and reaping. Grace supplies our every need. 

Say with me, “Jesus, fill my mouth with Your grace today! I expect to see my life blossom and multiply beyond my imagination this year! Thank you so much!” This word from the Lord is available on a special personalized bookmark. You can receive it for free by clicking here. 

Today, by God’s grace, approach your family with love, face your job with expectancy, anticipate health with confidence and sow your seed with absolute assurance of Jesus blessing!

Shalom!

Nathan Thurber

PS. Take a look at the enclosed ministry report from Netanya and Gaza. Your financial seed is urgently needed in Israel. The very religious freedom we sometimes take for granted, our precious missionaries in Israel cannot. Thank you for doing something extra special this month.

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