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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:3 |
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Grace and Peace to You By Tom Blackaby, International Director |
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July 2010 |
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Look how many times Paul begins his letters to the churches praying for “grace and peace”: Rom 1:7; 2Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Php 1:2; Col 1:2; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:2; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2; Tit 1:4; Phm 1:3;. Even Peter (1Pet 1:2; 2Pet 1:2;) and John (2Jn 1:3; Rev 1:4) begin their letters similarly. So why grace and peace? Asking that God show grace signifies bestowing all the blessings, mercies, and favor of God so that the readers would be prosperous and rewarded for their service and devotion to God. Peace was not only freedom from war, but freedom from persecution and discrimination outside the church as well as from discord, division and strife within the church. Few ever prosper during times of discord, strife, war, or calamity. So to pray God’s intervention to bring favor and peace so that those hearing this letter would prosper and enjoy God’ blessing was significant. Peace can also signify being reconciled with God so that nothing interferes with one’s relationship to the Father. This is more than a formal salutation with which to begin a letter, it is a reminder to the church of the importance of guarding their relationship to God and a request from God to bless His people as they continue to seek and to serve Him. Also significant is that Paul asks God and the Lord Jesus to bestow these favors. This is not mere wishful thinking, it is a reminder that the Father and the Son continue to work on behalf of those who have given their lives into their hands. Never were two such favors needed as they are today—both grace and peace. It is interesting too that we are to be people of grace (Eph 4:29, Col 4:6) and people of peace (Rom 12:18, Rom 14:17, 19). May God keep filling us with both as we keep pouring it out to others. |
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My name is Ronald from a camp in the western province of Iraq. I would like to convey my sincere appreciation on behalf of all Ugandans working as specialists in the camp for the gifts we received from Biltmore Baptist Church through the US Army deployed in Iraq. We've appreciated the book of "EXPERIENCING GOD DAY-BY-DAY. OUR REQUEST IS IF GOD ALLOWS WE CONTINUE WTH THE SHARING SPIRITS U HAVE SHOWN US AND WE KEEP IN TOUCH even when we go back to Uganda the pearl of Africa. Thanks once more en God bless you.
Ronald Iraq |
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We have received several requests from pastors in Myanmar (formerly Burma) asking us to come and teach their national pastors about Experiencing God and Spiritual Leadership. There are a great many believers among the Chin people of Myanmar, and many of their pastors have Bible school training from India and Bible schools in nearby countries. However, they are not financially able to pay for airfare for speakers to come from the USA. We are asking God to provide the cost of airfare and accommodations to bring training to pastors in this politically oppressive and volatile country. If you would like to donate towards the $3000 we need to send one of our staff members to Myanmar, please do so electronically or by check and put a memo for the funds to be used for international ministry. Thank you for partnering with us to impact the world. |
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