Kingdom Peace
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town.

Scripture Reading:
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Php 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Php 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Php 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Here we see steps to build a fortress of peace that the God of peace can inhabit. We can start with the peace of God – and build up an impenetrable stronghold over time and applying the steps mentioned in this passage. But the goal is to have the presence of God – the God of peace constantly in our daily walk of faith.

The battlefield is often in the mind – and that is where the transformation and reformation take place. Peace only comes after a war, and the victor dictates the terms of peace. Jesus has won the victory for our souls – it is time to accept His terms of peace and enforce it on the enemy of our soul that is transgressing God’s terms for our peace. That is a good enough reason to rejoice too!
Here are the steps to welcoming the God of Peace in your stronghold of peace:
1. Let Jesus into your life and rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life – if you’re uncertain about it, as for a believer to help you. The kings flag flies in the castle when He is in residence.
2. Fight the good fight of faith and win – peace comes after a war! Jesus is the Victor for you! You are more than an overcomer in Christ.
3. Cultivate the fruit of gentleness in the Spirit. Sow seeds of gentleness and ask God to help you show gentleness to others. Start by being gentle to yourself while you are trying to change and improve something. It’s also how we speak to others and indeed, our inner voice.
4. Labour to enter the rest of faith through operating in meekness and humility. Matt. 11:28-30. Heb. 4:10,11
5. Repent of anxiety. Be anxious for nothing. The Lord is at hand – means He is right here beside you.
6. Replace old habits with prayer, supplications (Make continuous petition to God) and always add thanksgiving! Our Daddy Father loves gratitude! He guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This works only works with Jesus!
7. Direct your thoughts towards God’s things.
8. Identify the God of peace in other believers and take some of that for you! Learn how they pray and walk with God and apply it to your life – the pattern of Christ in them will also produce peace in you and help you access the God of peace eternally!