Bridging the Testaments: Peacemakers and the Fulfillment of Scripture
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus redefined the concept of peace, calling His followers to be active agents of reconciliation. Speaking to a crowd longing for deliverance from Roman oppression, He introduced a radical vision of peacemaking that emphasized restoration, harmony, and divine kinship. This message echoed and fulfilled Old Testament teachings on peace, particularly Isaiah 9:6, which foretold a “Prince of Peace,” and Psalm 34:14, which urged believers to “seek peace and pursue it.”
Jesus’ beatitude calls believers to live out their divine identity by reflecting God’s character as the ultimate reconciler. To be a peacemaker is to actively work for healing in relationships and communities, embodying the wholeness (shalom) God desires for all creation. This pursuit is not passive but intentional, requiring forgiveness, unity, and advocacy for justice and harmony in personal and societal contexts.
For modern Christians, Matthew 5:9 is both a challenge and an invitation. It reminds us that peacemaking aligns us with Christ’s mission and secures our place as “sons of God.” In a world often marked by conflict, this beatitude calls us to embody the peace of Christ, bringing reconciliation and joy wherever we go.
Read more on how Jesus bridges the Testaments: Explore More >>
The Importance of Faith, Prayer, and Fasting in Overcoming Life’s Challenges
One common misconception about Christian fasting, particularly in reference to Old Testament practices, is that it no longer holds relevance today or is not a commandment for modern believers. Some use this misunderstanding as a reason to bypass the spiritual discipline of fasting, yet such an approach overlooks its vital role in the Christian life.
In the ancient town of Capernaum, a father approached Jesus with a heart full of hope and sorrow. His son, plagued by severe epilepsy, had not found healing even after the disciples tried and failed to help him. With unwavering faith, the father turned to Jesus, believing that only He could restore his son’s health.
Jesus responded to His disciples, saying, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). Jesus demonstrated that even the smallest measure of true faith is powerful enough to bring about miraculous results.
He then revealed something essential: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). In this statement, Jesus illuminated the need for spiritual discipline in facing specific challenges, making it clear that certain trials require not just prayer, but also fasting to draw closer to God’s power and intervention.
This moment took place right after Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain, where His divine glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John. As His face shone like the sun and His clothes became radiant, Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 17:5). Following this powerful experience, Jesus descended with His disciples to find a crowd gathered, and a grieving father who sought healing for his son.
The father shared the boy’s tragic history, recounting how the spirit often threw him into dangerous situations, attempting to destroy him. He pleaded, “If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us” (Mark 9:21-22). Jesus responded, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). The father, deeply moved, cried out, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
In that moment, Jesus, moved by both authority and compassion, commanded the unclean spirit to depart, and the boy was immediately healed. The crowd stood in awe of the power and mercy displayed before them. Through the intersection of the father’s faith and God’s miraculous power, healing and restoration came to the boy.
Later, the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast him out?” (Matthew 17:19). Jesus explained, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). He further stressed the significance of prayer and fasting: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).
Through this experience, Jesus underscored the power of faith, prayer, and fasting in strengthening spiritual resolve and deepening one’s connection with God. The disciples came to understand that true faith, no matter how small, combined with the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting, had the power to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. Jesus showed that with steadfast faith and devotion, believers could unlock God’s limitless power and face any challenge, no matter how daunting.
As the disciples continued their journey, they applied these teachings in their ministry, witnessing miracles, healings, and divine interventions, all fueled by their deep faith and connection to God.
“The spirit of man rises when the mind and heart unite, for the belly is a great obedient servant.”
Have you ever wondered about the spiritual depth of fasting? Perhaps you’ve heard that biblical fasting can draw you closer to God.
Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline practised for centuries. Many of the great figures in the Bible, like Moses and Jesus, fasted to seek God’s guidance and presence. But how can this ancient practice be relevant to us today?
1. What is Biblical Fasting?
Biblical fasting involves abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. It’s about dedicating time to focus on God, prayer, and reflection.
2. Why Fast for 40 Days and Nights?
The 40-day fast is significant in the Bible. Moses fasted before receiving the Ten Commandments, and Jesus fasted in the wilderness. It’s a time for deep spiritual cleansing and transformation. The number 40 in the bible.
3. Avoiding the Appeal to Authority
Just because a religious leader or preacher advocates fasting doesn’t mean it’s the only way to spiritual growth. This is known as the “Appeal to Authority” fallacy. True understanding and practice come from personal conviction and experience, not just because someone in authority says so.
4. Can Fasting Help You Overcome Spiritual Challenges?
Fasting can bring clarity and strength. By denying the body, we nourish the spirit, helping us overcome personal and spiritual obstacles.
5. Creating a Personal Fasting Plan
Start by setting clear spiritual goals. What do you hope to achieve or understand through your fast? Plan your fast in a way that aligns with your health and commitments.
6. Connecting with God During Your Fast
Use this time to deepen your prayer life. Read scripture, meditate, and listen for God’s voice. This focused time can bring profound insights and peace.
7. Support and Community
Fasting with others can provide encouragement and accountability. Join a group or find a fasting partner to share experiences and support each other.
Remember, the goal of fasting is not just physical abstinence but spiritual abundance. As you embark on this journey, seek God wholeheartedly and be open to the transformation He can bring.
When Jesus spoke these words, he was addressing a crowd of Jews who believed in him. He was explaining that true freedom comes from knowing and embracing the truth, specifically the truth that he is the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.
In a broader sense, Jesus was referring to the spiritual freedom that can be experienced by embracing his teachings and the message of salvation. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the truth about our sinful nature, our need for redemption, and the transformative power of his sacrifice on the cross.
By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are set free from the bondage of sin and its consequences. This freedom encompasses not only forgiveness for our past sins but also liberation from the power of sin in our daily lives.
Furthermore, the truth that Jesus is referring to extends beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It involves a personal relationship with him, a deep and heartfelt belief in his teachings, and a willingness to live in accordance with his commandments.
Through this truth, we find a renewed sense of purpose, hope, and eternal life in God’s kingdom. It is a freedom that transcends worldly circumstances and grants us the assurance of God’s love and presence.
So, my dear friend, let us seek the truth that Jesus offers, embrace his teachings, and experience the freedom that comes through knowing him as our Lord and Savior.
Father, I thank you for the precious blood of Christ poured out for me as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. I thank you the blood of Jesus pleads for me mercy and all the provisions of your grace. I thank you that Jesus Christ gives me access into your holy presence and has purchased for me eternal redemption.
I declare, affirm and bear witness to what the word says about Jesus Christ has done for me. I am justified and forgiven by the blood Christ. The blood cleanses me from every sin and removes God’s wrath from me. I am sanctified, wholly set apart through the offering of the body of Christ once for all. I have been purchased for God’s eternal possession by the blood of Jesus. The blood has redeemed me from the guilt and power of sin and I am set free from the empty way of life handed down to me from my forefathers. The blood of Christ purges my conscience and sets me free from the dead works of religion in order that I may serve the living God. The blood redeems me from the curse of the law in my life and that of my ancestors.
The blood is God’s covenant seal upon my life. I am secure and made safe from every evil and every guile of the enemy by the blood of Jesus. I am victorious over Satan who is defeated and destroyed, driven out and disarmed by the power of His blood. By the blood I overcome the evil one and destroy his every work. The blood is my assurance of God’s goodness and the binding guarantee of His faithfulness in all situations. The blood is my legal claim to every promise and the entrance into my inheritance in Christ.
Father, I thank you that the spirit now bears witness to the blood of Christ in my life and brings the riches of your blessing upon me. Amen
The concept of biblical repentance and the Cognify therapy, a futuristic approach to rehabilitation, may seem like vastly different approaches to personal transformation. However, they share some commonalities in their aim to promote positive change in individuals.
IT SOUNDS like science fiction… and frankly a little bit bonkers.
But jails where inmates can serve their sentences in minutes before emerging as reformed characters may be the future of justice, says a biotechnology expert.
The Cognify method would see convicts given a choice between years in a cell or fast-track rehabilitation that involved implanting false memories in their brains, molecular biologist Hashem Al-Ghaili said. He explained they could be hooked up to machines – which in illustrations of the concept look a bit like sunbeds – while watching vivid virtual reality footage that would begin to seem to them like genuine memories.
Scenes could include their crimes seen from the victim’s perspective. And the ‘memories’ would be coupled with a brain implant to induce emotions such as remorse or regret. Mr Al-Ghaili said: ‘Violent offenders could feel their victim’s pain and suffering first hand.
‘Some memories would be designed to trigger consequences and trauma, simulating the long-term consequences of violent actions, such as the grief of the victim’s family or the physical and emotional trauma endured by the victim.’
Families of crime victims might be unimpressed to see offenders walking the streets days after being jailed. But Mr Al-Ghaili argued the concept could revolutionise the criminal justice system by significantly reducing the need for long-term incarceration and its associated costs’.
The Secret About Fasting – It’s Not the Power, It’s Drawing Closer to God
His might sound surprising if you’re familiar with my ministry and teachings, but let me explain: fasting alone has no spiritual power. The true power lies in God, the One we draw closer to during our fasting periods.
How My Fasting Journey Began My first experience with fasting occurred shortly after I arrived in the United States as an immigrant refugee from Ukraine. My parents were involved in planting a new church that started in someone’s living room. Every Wednesday, they would fast and gather in the evening to pray for God’s blessings on this new church, now known as Hungry Generation Church. Inspired by our pastor’s vision, I, at fourteen, decided to join the adults in their weekly fasting.
For many years, I continued the practice of fasting for 24 hours every Wednesday. During this time, I felt increasingly filled with the Holy Spirit. When I struggled with an addiction to pornography, fasting helped me control my flesh and prepared me for the deliverance I desperately needed.
At sixteen, when I became a youth pastor, I maintained my commitment to fasting every Wednesday, dedicating the day to the Lord through Bible study and prayer. I even skipped school on those days to spend more time with God. One Wednesday, during this dedicated time, the Lord touched me profoundly and called me into full-time ministry.
Fasting Brings Clarity Later in life, I faced challenges in my personal life, particularly in my journey to get married. I struggled with indecision and second-guessed myself constantly. After my first date with Lana, the woman who would become my wife, I expressed my indecisive feelings and broke up with her the next day. My mind was in turmoil!
A few weeks after that breakup, our church embarked on a 21-day fast in January, and I joined in. During this fast, God brought clarity to my mind. My indecisiveness was lifted, and I reconnected with Lana. Eight months later, we were married. It has been over 11 years since our wedding, and I am incredibly blessed! I am so grateful that I participated in that group fast.
The True Source of Power To be clear: while fasting can bring us closer to breakthroughs and has numerous benefits, it holds no power on its own. All power comes from God.
Fasting might channel God’s power, but it does not generate it. Fasting doesn’t move God; it moves us
