righteousness, peace, and joy.
Romans 14:17
Most of the scriptures that I am sharing today are very personal and I am so grateful to the Spirit of God for writing them on my heart and mind in the early 80s. Who would have known back in those years of studying the Word, how they would become so alive in me and actually impart into me right standing with God, peace that passed anything I could ever dream of, and fulfill so deep within me a joy unspeakable that would strengthen each day of my life. I treasure my relationship with Yeshua, the Righteous One, the God of Peace and My Lord and Savior, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…for me. When you go through the trauma of the loss of beautiful children and your loving spouse, you better know what you truly believe and know that the foundation of His word is established in you so deep that you will not be moved. I am so thankful that My Redeemer is forever faithful.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
Righteousness
The scripture says that Yeshua became sin that we could be made the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:22) Yeshua, after the order of Melchi-Zedek, the King of Righteousness, ever lives to make intercession for the saints. God loved the world so much that He freely gave His one and only son that whosever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The word says if you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. In fact, when you enter a covenant with a Holy God there is an exchange made. You give to Him all your unrighteousness and He gives to you His righteousness and purity. You give to Him your poverty and you receive His wealth and riches. You give to Him your doubt and fears and He gives to you His faith and love. You give to Him your grief and sorrow and He gives to you His overwhelming joy that will remain. As you pour out your inabilities and weaknesses, Yeshua fills you with His wisdom and authority and then you will begin to operate in God’s righteousness, His right standing. You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Righteousness works by faith. Believe today that you receive and God will manifest the power of His righteousness in you.
The gospel of the Kingdom unveils a continual revelation of God’s righteousness—a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving life through faith, to the power of living by faith. This is what the Scripture means when it says: “We are right with God through life-giving faith!” Romans 1:17
And when the season of tolerance came to an end, there was only one possible way for God to give away his righteousness and still be true to both his justice and his mercy—to offer up his own Son. So now, because we stand on the faithfulness of Jesus, God declares us righteous in his eyes! Romans 3:26
But now we are seeing the righteousness of God declared quite apart from the Law (though amply testified to by both Law and Prophets)—it is a righteousness imparted to, and operating in, all who have faith in Jesus Christ. (For there is no distinction to be made anywhere: everyone has sinned, everyone falls short of the beauty of God’s plan.) Under this divine system a man who has faith is now freely acquitted in the eyes of God by his generous dealing in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. God has appointed him as the means of propitiation, a propitiation accomplished by the shedding of his blood, to be received and made effective in ourselves by faith. God has done this to demonstrate his righteousness both by the wiping out of the sins of the past (the time when he withheld his hand), and by showing in the present time that he is a just God and that he justifies every man who has faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-25
Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Romans 5:1
Peace
The Kingdom of God is Peace, His shalom. Peace is a word that describes wholeness, soundness and completeness- void of confusion and strife. Yeshua is the Prince of Peace. Peace is opposite of what the world gives. When King Jesus rules your heart, He then sends His Peace to protect and defend your heart and mind as a sentry guard would. I marveled at the power of the Holy Spirit when He would settle over me and remind me that not only was peace growing in my life as a fruit of the Spirit but that He had gifted me with peace. The Lord gives strength to his people and blesses his people with peace. Ps 29:11
I held on to His precious word which proved to be true: Great peace have they that love your instruction and nothing can make them stumble. Ps. 119:165
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:7-8 Amplified
The wisdom that comes from God is first utterly pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of tolerant thoughts and kindly actions, with no breath of favoritism or hint of hypocrisy. And the wise are peace-makers who go on quietly sowing for a harvest of righteousness—in other people and in themselves. James 3:18
As believers we should discipline our thought life to think on that which is good. As a man thinks, so is he. There were many days that I had to war for my mind and it took shouting the word over other voices. Let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus. The Passion says, And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation. Philippians 2:5-6
When tormenting thoughts would come at night, Yeshua gently spoke these words in my ear, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:27; 16:33
But the one who always listens to me will live undisturbed in a heavenly peace. Free from fear, confident and courageous, you will rest unafraid and sheltered from the storms of life. Proverbs 1:33
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace…Romans 8:6
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20
Yeshua went through extreme torment on the cross, as He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities, the punishment that brought my peace was upon Him and by His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53:5 I will not frustrate the grace of God by not receiving all that He died for.
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33
Joy
Joy is a function of the Holy Spirit. When the King governs your hearts then joy is present. Joy has nothing to do with the word happiness. Happiness always relates to the happenings around the circumstances. Joy is deep within. It is not moved when situations change. Joy comes from the deep wells of salvation from within your spirit. It is described as a fountain that springs forth or a bubbling brook that bubbles up. The joy of the Lord is your very strength.
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your Name be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 35:9
Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]! They walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance! Psalm 89:15
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling or falling into sin, and to present you unblemished [blameless and faultless] in the presence of His glory with triumphant joy and unspeakable delight, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and power, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25
You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory. 1Peter 1:8
I am reminded that Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, and have revealed them to little children. Yes, Father for this was your good pleasure. I can testify, that I came to Him as his little child in need, his daughter and He raised me up to be His Bride. He told me that His joy could be full and complete in me and I simply believed it. Those that sow in tears will reap in joy.
God is calling you, Beloved, to move into a priestly/kingly role with King Jesus and enjoy the Kingdom of God as it is being established in you and in the earth.
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of rules about food and drink, but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy. Romans 14:17
Written by Billie Alexander
Co-Founder, Limitless Realms Int’l Ministries
