Being A Peacemaker

Peace is one of the many facets of God’s love. It is also one that can easily be overlooked simply because the true meaning is not well known. Yet Jesus placed much importance on being a peacemaker when he stated, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 Therefore, it is important to know the meaning of being a peacemaker.

Being a peacemaker requires action. It is not an easy path to follow but has toil and tribulation. You will always have enemies; those who don’t want to have peace with you. It is the act of being self-less, self-giving, self-losing, self-forgetting. It requires you to put away your pride and be humbled. A peacemaker does not act defensively nor are they easily provoked. Where there is peace, jealousy, hatred, bad tempers, and quarrels are not found. These acts of sinful nature are found in Galatians 5:19. A couple verses later you find the fruits of the Spirit, peace is among them.

Jesus set the perfect example for peace. When he was insulted, he acted in goodwill. When he was betrayed, he gave himself freely.  When he was crucified, he prayed for those who put him on the cross. He was humble and meek.

The only way to have true peace is to allow Christ to enter your life. You must be open to his teaching and admonishing. The Holy Spirit must do work in your heart in order for peace to prevail. You must admit that you are not a peacemaker and give Christ control of your life. This means you cannot make excuses for yourself saying, “They provoked me” or “They are wrong and so I am justified in being mad.” If you ask and allow Him to, he will change you dramatically! Don’t let pride get in the way of allowing Christ to change you. I am one of the worst people I know concerning this area of life, so this is for me as much as it is for anyone else. It just took me this long to realize it.

The Oneness of a Husband and Wife

At one point in Jesus’ ministry he was asked by a Pharisee whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife or not. In Jesus’ reply he stated, when a man and woman are united by marriage, the two will become one flesh. He then went on to say, “Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:6 A husband and wife are considered one; they should act as one in every way. In joy, sorrow, happiness, in their decisions, every aspect of their lives should be joined together. Because of this “oneness” they should not only be husband and wife but also best friends. If a friendship, the most important one you should have with the exception of Christ, is lacking there is a higher chance of friction and hurt feelings. Those two things would not accomplish a unity in the marriage. I’m so blessed and thankful for my best friend and husband! God has joined us together as one and it is my desire to keep seeking His guidance for becoming a more godly, selfless, loving wife. My husband is so thoughtful, caring and loving; he deserves my best and more! 

Comfort from God

What is your primary source of comfort? God is the only one who can give us true, fulfilling comfort. When we go to other things or people for comfort, it makes us "feel" good. But does your comfort last? Such as when eating for comfort. Usually you feel disgusted with yourself afterwards and in most cases you feel worse than before. If you go to other people for comfort they wont always be there for you. At some point in time they will hurt you, even unintentionally. It's so important to rely on God for your comfort. It's the only comfort that will fill you. The only comfort that will always be there if you choose to accept it.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3&4

Sometimes we become addicted to the things or people that bring us comfort. Pray that God will open your eyes to anything that is taking his place in your life. Get rid of your addictions and give your life anew to Christ. Conduct yourselves in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. And when you choose to let go of your addictions, do not say "yes" to letting them go in one minute and "no" in the next. Let them go for good! God gave us the ability to stand firm through Christ. No matter how daunting the task looks, it IS possible if you set your mind on it! Use the strength God gave you and live by his holiness.

"When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no'?" 2 Corinthians 1:17
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:21

What's the gravity in your life?

Is God the gravity in your life? Is he the force that holds everything together? Do you center everything around him or do you put him in the backdrop of your life, only there when you need him? God will always be there for you, he will never forsake you but he desires something more than that. He wants an intimate relationship with you. He wants to hear from you when you’re in trouble, praise him whenever you can, and call on him when you’re sick. He wants to be in the center of your life ALWAYS, not just when you need a favor from him. Focus on God who is the true joy giver. Not on worldly things that will temporarily give you happiness for it will not last. If you allow God to be in the center of your life, he will be the gravitational pull that will hold everything together when you need it the most. Without him, you will find that everything may seem to be in order but after awhile you will find yourself unhappy and in a life of chaos and misery. 

"But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua 22:5

Christmas and a New Life

Christmas time resembles the chance for a new start. On this day we celebrate the Lord's birth. He came down from heaven, his kingdom where he was treated in the way he should be, to offer us life. He didn't come because he had to but, because he loves us so much, he wanted to. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary to give us a second chance at life. True life. A life full with Christ. Jesus suffered the pain, ridicule, and shame of this world so HE could take OUR sins to the cross. He bore the shameful death that should have been ours. He carried our burden of sin on his shoulders though he was blameless. Jesus' birth was for that specific purpose! A perfect, beautiful baby was born into this world to face its most ugly and shameful deeds of darkness.Although every kind of evil was thrown at him, he conquered them all. Jesus even conquered death for our sake. Let's give ALL our praise to him who deserves it.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 

Isaiah 7:14

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.  

            Jeremiah 23:5

Faithfulness or Faithlessness

Some of the letters in the New Testament start off by exclaiming a joy because the authors had found out fellow believers were being faithful to God. For example 3 John 3-4 says, "It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell me about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

John exclaims that he has NO greater joy than that of fellow believers walking in the truth. With this kind of joy, it seems as though he would draw encouragement as well. Although the Bible does not directly say that, seeing others he has mentored continue to grow and continue in what he has taught them, would very possibly have that outcome. If this is the case, we ought to strive to continue to be faithful as well. Not only do we receive a better relationship with God, but also we could possibly be an encouragement to someone else. At the very least, we could bring someone joy. On the other end of the spectrum, your faithlessness could have the opposite effect on a person; you could be the one to bring them sadness or discouragement. You never know when your level of  faith could have a very impacting impression on someone.

"Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
O what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! So dear, so precious!
May it find me there each day.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past,
For His love has been so gracious
It has won my heart at last."

"Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows,
And when weary find sweet rest.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray,
While I from His fulness gather
Grace and comfort every day."

"Bless me O my Saviour, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet,
Oh, look down in love upon me,
Let me see Thy face so sweet.
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,
Make me holy as He is;
May I prove I've been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness."

I read this poem/song, I'm not sure which of the two it is, in a book called "Mary of Bethany" by Ella M. Parks. I love how much "love" this quote gives to Jesus. It just shows how much the "I" in this quote longs to be at Jesus' feet and how how she finds all her needs met there. She lays her sorrows and sins there and at the same place gathers her comfort. How great is Jesus to be able to provide both qualities for us; the love and forgiveness for our sorrows and sins but also the strength and comfort he extends to us. At the end of this quote she asks for the mind of Jesus in likeness and to become holy as He is. She wants to prove that she spends time at Jesus' feet.

Do you prove that you spend time at Jesus' feet? Do you even long to be able to prove that you spend time at His feet? This is now my prayer for not only me, but for all my brothers and sisters in Christ.