Second Week of Advent: Peace

In my "advent tradition," the second week we light the "Candle of Peace."  Isaiah 9: 6c reads, "and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."  As I have matured in my faith, I have grown to understand that "peace" in the world, and what the "Prince of Peace" offers us can be misunderstood.

Jesus says, He does not come to bring peace to the world.  As the Prince of Peace, He offers us His peace - that those caught up in the world will never come to understand until they come to know Him as Savior.  

The story is told of an African-American slave named George Liele.  In 1773, George was converted to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He was in  his early twenties, and “having been justified by faith,” became a recipient of “peace with God!” (Romans 5:1).

His peace, though still enslaved to another man, soon translated into a life of ministry.   George declared, “I requested of my Lord and Master to give me a work.”  And God did not disappoint!

George began to teach the Scriptures to other slaves.  The white church he attended with his master licensed him to preach the Gospel.  His earthly master gave George his freedom so that he could preach the Gospel of peace without any hindrance.  George Liele became a messenger of peace with God; an ambassador for Christ.  The one who had been reconciled to God was given the ministry of reconciliation. And so have we!

Paul declared this truth to the church at Corinth when he told them, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making as appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
George set an example the rest of us should follow.  He was serious about God’s purpose and calling—this ministry of reconciliation. A ministry we celebrate during Advent and all year long!

George’s heart longed to see others set free in the peace only God can supply. As a result, he indentured himself to a British officer at the end of the Revolutionary War, promising to work for the colonel in Jamaica until his passage to the island was repaid. George took his family and  emigrated to Jamaica in 1783, almost 10 years before William Carey, often called the “Father of Modern Missions,”

As we prepare our hearts for the Christ of Christmas this holiday season, let us now forget that the Prince of Peace is not known to most of the people in our culture (and around the world).  Oh how much He is needed!!!!

(Adapted from the IMB's Advent Devotionals 2021)

Weekly Report/Update:  Restructuring of Tar River Baptist Association

As reported has week, TRBA has begun anew with the restructuring approved by the association in 2017.  Again, we thank God for the insight COVID-19 gave to us and that we do not have to "re-vamp" things again without including wisdom from what we have learned during the pandemic.  We hope to have a detailed update to every church by late January 2022 that will communicate what our "normal" will look like for the next several years.

The baseline for our "normal" (please note I am not calling it a "new normal" for our purpose) is that ALL the church does has Jesus as its primary focus and building His Kingdom - as He directs - as our purpose as His church.  We believe the instructions of His Word works for THE Church - during "normal," pandemic, and all "new normals" to come.  the "New Testament Church"   If the church (association) develops any "new" strategies for the "way we do church" and accomplish His Will, MUST be based on His Word/His commands.  We must strive to become ALL that we can become in Him as His Ambassadors to this world!

PLEASE INCLUDE THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR VARIOUS MINISTRY TEAMS IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS!!  Also, take time to remember your sister churches in prayer (we have 10 or so currently looking for pastors.  Pray about areas where you could serve to help your church/your sister churches in the work God has called us to do TOGETHER throughout the communities where God has placed us.

Areas To Pray Concerning The Restructure

1. TRBA churches will be open to God's Call to become His Church to the community where He has placed them.
2. Church leaders will see the need to be renewed spiritually and equipped through training opportunities to better serve the church in the days ahead.
3. That prayer will permeate the the life of the church and that all we see the necessity of corporate prayer.
4. That all of us will be faithful in our witness and engage in Gospel conversations daily.
5. Pray about a special offering to close out the year to TRBA so that we will not have cash flow issues as we begin the restructuring process during the first months of the year.
6. Pray for the Ministry Team Leaders that will be casting vision/developing strategy/empowering team members through training, etc. to strengthen them to serve the member churches of the association.
7. Pray about hosting a "prayer drive" using your church van.  Invite local pastors to drive through and help you identify ministry priorities in your community.  Invite Caleb and Dougald in to help you.  Then, pray TOGETHER about ways all the participating churches can work TOGETHER to meet the needs and advance the kingdom.
   

God IS at work!!!!!  PRAY we will join Him in that work!!  EXPECT to experience God as we work TOGETHER as His Church!!