WORK FOR PEACE

WORK FOR PEACE

Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

One evening, after dark I was riding with a fellow pastor through town. We passed a Taco-Bell and the parking lot was full of a group of teenagers. Two of them had squared off for a fight. The others had surrounded them and were encouraging them to engage one another in battle. The pastor I was with turned the car around and pulled into that parking lot. My first thought was, “He wants to watch the fight.”

He stopped the car back a ways and began to pray out loud. “Oh Lord, please bring Your peace to this situation.”

In only a few moments the two angry young men dropped their arms to their sides, turned away and went to their cars. Not a single punch was thrown. The crowd dispersed and the whole bunch drove off in different directions.

It would have done more harm to jump out of the car and meddle in this situation. Proverbs 26:17 Interfering in someone else's argument is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears. But passionately praying for the situation brought peace.

“God blesses those who work for peace.” Do you work for peace or do you find yourself relishing in strife and trouble? Solomon had a great deal to say about those who like to stir things up.

They're Angry

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

Proverbs 29:22 An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

Proverbs 30:33 As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.

We might think that it’s okay for us to be “righteously indignant” but James tells us that our anger does not work God’s righteousness.

They Separate Friends

Proverbs 16:28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Proverbs 26:20-22 Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.  (21)  A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.  (22)  Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.

Verse 22 is a warning of the depth of damage that “Rumors” do. 

Before you repeat a rumor or listen to a rumor remember that their effect is to go deep into your heart. A rumor, true or not, will change your perspective of the person the rumor is about. It will cause you to judge that person in your heart. Don’t repeat them and don’t listen to them. Instead, be the one who changes the subject, stops the rumor, proclaims the truth, encourages the rumor bearer to go to the source and get the truth.

WARNING: (I’m climbing up on my soap box…) Do NOT repost or forward stuff on Facebook or email or other social media without being certain it is true and further, ask yourself, “Is this going to generate peace or strife? Will this advance the Kingdom of God?” (Climbing back off the soap box.)

They Love Sin

Proverbs 17:19a Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;…

Wow! That’s just scary. Do you love sin?

They Are Fools

Proverbs 20:3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

If you do a word study on the word “fool” in the scripture you will quickly come to the understanding that God gives little hope to the fool.

So I urge you to follow Colossians 3:15.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

And Romans 12:18. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Don't let the strife of the world pull you in. Don't let the anger of the masses control you heart and mind. Let the peace of Christ rule you and then extend that peace to those around you. Encourage others to trust God, to forgive one other and to seek means of peace instead of war.

And be blessed by God. 1 John 3:1a (KJV) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:…

Jesus made peace with God for us by His death on the cross. When we work for peace we exemplify Christ and God calls us His children.

Father in heaven, thank You for the peace You give us in Christ Jesus. May that peace control our hearts today and may we be found faithfully working toward peace with others in every situation. In Jesus Holy Name, AMEN!!!

MERCY

MERCY

Matthew 5:7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This is pretty straight forward. If you are merciful you will receive mercy. So what does it mean to be merciful? It is refusing to give a person the punishment they deserve. It is showing kindness and forgiveness to one who has mistreated you. It is to overlook insults and slights to find a way to bless the offender.

Years ago I heard a pastor relate this story. He was on his home from a preaching engagement far away from his home town. He was driving through the night and decided to stop at a road side truck stop and restaurant. When he walked in he was the only patron. He seated himself and waited several minutes for a waitress. When she approached his table she asked him abruptly, “What do you want?”

He replied that he’d like a Danish and a cup of coffee. She returned several minutes later and practically threw the plate with the Danish and the cup and saucer on the table. The Danish slid off the plate onto the table and some of the coffee sloshed out of the cup into the saucer and onto the table.

He had every right to demand to speak to the manager, but instead he calmly ate his Danish, drank his coffee and left a $50 tip on the table. As he was exiting the door the waitress ran up to him and said, “Mister, you’ve made a mistake. I don’t think you meant to leave this on the table.”

He said, “Oh, but I did.”

She said, “You couldn’t have. I treated you awful.”

He said, “I just figured you were having a bad day and I wanted to bless you.”

She began to sob and shared that she was a single mom who had just gone through a terrible divorce. This was the only job she could find and working nights wasn’t bringing in much money.

He stood there and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her and she became a child of God that night.

That is “Mercy.” God showed His love to us while we were still sinners by sending His Son to the cross for us. That is “Mercy.”

Micah 6:8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Emphasis added)

Do you love mercy? Oh I know you love it when others don’t get even for something wrong you’ve done, but do you love mercy? Do you love to show mercy to others? As a disciple of Jesus Christ we are called to be merciful. That means that we are not to be looking for ways to get even with others who’ve hurt us. Do you love mercy?

Father in heaven, thank You for the amazing mercy You’ve shown to us. May we be filled with mercy for others. When we are wronged, quickly remind us to be merciful, kind and forgiving as You have been and are daily to us. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!