Those who work to bring peace are happy, because God will call them His children.
Matthew 5:9
What does it take to be a peacemaker? Think about it. The first thing we must do in order to be a peacemaker is to first be at peace ourselves with God. What is involved with being at peace with God?
Believe that God is. Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who truly want to find Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Believe not only that God exists, but that He is the source of blessings for all those who diligently seek Him.
Believe that Jesus is the mediator between God and men and that He is truth and the way to God.
- There is one God and one way human beings can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who is himself human. (1 Timothy 2:5)
- Jesus answered, "I am the Way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through Me.(John 14:6)
- Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)
In order to be at peace with God accept the will of God as our own. Our lives must be lived allowing God’s will to be our guide and not our own. Salvation should be first on our list of priorities. Are you saved?
To take the first step toward being a peacemaker, ask yourself these questions:
1) Am I a New Testament Christian who has put my faith in God, believes that He is who He says He is and that He can and will do what He says He will?
2) Have I turned away from a life in the world and felt the sorrow that comes from knowing that my sins put Jesus on the cross?
3) Have I confessed His name before others showing that I am not ashamed of Him?
4) Have I been buried with Him in baptism being raised a new person with a new life?
5) Am I willing to accept His will as my own?
If you are saved, you have a song for today and you are on your way to becoming one who can be a peacemaker. If not, make peace with God today.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Monday, July 6, 2020
Working for Peace
They are blessed who work for peace, for they will be called God's children.
Matthew 5:9
Is it possible to be a peacemaker in our world today? It certainly seems impossible in light of our current situation. Yet, Jesus said that those who seek peace, work for peace or are peacemakers, would be called children of God. Shouldn’t that give us motivation to seek peace? A peacemaker is someone who seeks peace between God and humans but also between one person and another. This is not an easy thing to do.
A person who tries to be a peacemaker is often disappointed. Why is that? In order to make peace, we have to give up our selfish motives. Not many people are willing to lay down whatever they are seeking in order to create peace. I’m not talking about laying down what is right and good. It will not always be peaceful to do what is right. Just look at what Jesus had to face. What I am talking about are those goals that are selfish in nature and not grounded in love for the lost or in the building up of people. Aren't those the kind of things that usually lead to the destruction of peace? It is when we want to promote ourselves rather than consider what God wants. To be a peacemaker we must move ourselves out of the picture and allow God's nature to rule our lives. Only then can we offer what is truly the best of each of us to others.
Matthew 5:9
Is it possible to be a peacemaker in our world today? It certainly seems impossible in light of our current situation. Yet, Jesus said that those who seek peace, work for peace or are peacemakers, would be called children of God. Shouldn’t that give us motivation to seek peace? A peacemaker is someone who seeks peace between God and humans but also between one person and another. This is not an easy thing to do.
A person who tries to be a peacemaker is often disappointed. Why is that? In order to make peace, we have to give up our selfish motives. Not many people are willing to lay down whatever they are seeking in order to create peace. I’m not talking about laying down what is right and good. It will not always be peaceful to do what is right. Just look at what Jesus had to face. What I am talking about are those goals that are selfish in nature and not grounded in love for the lost or in the building up of people. Aren't those the kind of things that usually lead to the destruction of peace? It is when we want to promote ourselves rather than consider what God wants. To be a peacemaker we must move ourselves out of the picture and allow God's nature to rule our lives. Only then can we offer what is truly the best of each of us to others.
Do you want to change the world around you? Seek to live a peaceful life. Work for peace. This will put a song in your heart for today.
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom naught but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, 'mid suffering's sharpest throes?
The sympathy of Jesus beaches repose.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Do You Show Mercy?
They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them.
Matthew 5:7
Anyone know the definition of mercy? According to the dictionary it is compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power. It also means a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion, compassionate treatment of those in distress.
Do you understand our need for mercy? But God's mercy is great, and He loved us very much. Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, aHe gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5) There is not a single person reading this today, or in the world, that is not a sinner needing salvation. God’s great mercy gave us a way to escape the punishment that sin brings. He showed His wonderful love for us when He gave us Jesus.
Why do you wait? If you haven’t chosen to turn away from the world, confessed the name of Jesus and submitted to be cleansed in the waters of baptism yet, what are you waiting for? God’s great mercy is waiting for you.
If you are a Christian, are you merciful? This is not the only blessing that we receive from God that He expects us to show to others. Remember what Jesus told the disciples when teaching them to pray?Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. (Matthew 6:12) If we want to receive forgiveness, we are to be forgiving people. The same is true with mercy. If we want God to be merciful to us, then we must be merciful to others.
Matthew 5:7
Anyone know the definition of mercy? According to the dictionary it is compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power. It also means a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion, compassionate treatment of those in distress.
Do you understand our need for mercy? But God's mercy is great, and He loved us very much. Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, aHe gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5) There is not a single person reading this today, or in the world, that is not a sinner needing salvation. God’s great mercy gave us a way to escape the punishment that sin brings. He showed His wonderful love for us when He gave us Jesus.
Why do you wait? If you haven’t chosen to turn away from the world, confessed the name of Jesus and submitted to be cleansed in the waters of baptism yet, what are you waiting for? God’s great mercy is waiting for you.
If you are a Christian, are you merciful? This is not the only blessing that we receive from God that He expects us to show to others. Remember what Jesus told the disciples when teaching them to pray?Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. (Matthew 6:12) If we want to receive forgiveness, we are to be forgiving people. The same is true with mercy. If we want God to be merciful to us, then we must be merciful to others.
What will be the attributes of a merciful person? Above all, a merciful person will have and show love. (I Peter 4:8) A merciful person will be kind to others, bearing with them as they learn and grow. (Ephesians 4:1-2) A merciful person will be a forgiving person. A merciful person understands that they are not perfect and are in need of mercy themselves. We understand that our dependence is on God. Want to have a song in your heart today? Are you a person who shows mercy? They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)