Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

December 7
Monday


WAR...
THEN PEACE

READ:
Luke 23:32-43
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The peace of God,
which surpasses all
understanding, will
guard your hearts and
minds through Christ
Jesus. __Philippians 4:7
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On December 7, 1941, a Japanese war plane piloted by Mitsuo Fuchida took off from the aircraft carrier Akagi. Fuchida led the surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Through the war years to follow, Fuchida continued to fly--often narrowly escaping death. At war's end, he was disillusioned and bitter.

A few years later, he heard a story that piqued his spiritual curiosity: A Christian young woman whose parents had been killed by the Japanese during the war decided to minister to Japanese prisoners. impressed, Fuchida began reading the Bible.

As he read Jesus' words from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34), he understood how that woman could show kindness to her enemies. That day Fuchida gave his heart to Christ.

Becoming a lay preacher and evangelist to his fellow citizens, this former warrior demonstrated "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Phil 4:7)__a peace enjoyed by those who have trusted Christ and who "let [their] requests be made known to God" (v.6).

Have you found this peace? No matter what you have gone through, God makes it available to you. __Denis Fisher
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```````````````````There is peace in midst of turmoil,``````````````
````````````````````There is joy when eyes are dim,``````````````
````````````````````There is perfect understanding````````````````
`````````````````When we leave it all to Him. __Brown````````````
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True peace is not the absence of war;
it is the presence of God. __Loveless

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 23:32-43************

32 There were also two
others, criminals, led with
Him to be put to death.

33 And when they had come
to the place called Calvary,
there they crucified Him,
and the criminals, one on the
right hand and the other on
the left. 34 Then Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, for
the do not know what they
do." And they divided His
garments and cast lots.

35 And the people stood
looking on. But even the
rulers with them sneered,
saying, "He saved others; let
Him save Himself if He is the
Christ, the chosen of God."

36 The soldiers also mocked
Him, coming and offering
Him sour wine, 37 and
saying, "If You are the King
of the Jews, save Yourself."

38 And an inscription also
was written over Him in
letters of Greek, Latin, and
Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING
OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the
criminals who were hanged
blasphemed Him, saying, "If
You are the Christ, save
yourself and us."

40 But the other, answering,
rebuked him, saying, "Do
you not even fear God,
seeing you are under the
same condemnation? 41 And
we indeed justly, for we
receive the due reward of
our deeds; but this man has
done nothing wrong."

42 Then he said to Jesus,
"Lord, remember me when
You come into Your
kingdom.


43 And Jesus said to him,
"Assuredly, I say to you,
today you will be with Me
in Paradise."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In verse 38, we see that the inscription above Christ was written in
three languages. Showing the cosmopolitan nature of first-century Israel,
each language had a role: Greek (common language of the day), Latin
(language of government), Hebrew (language of Israel).

__BILL CROWDER