This Year, Live by the Beatitudes (7)
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” Mt 5:9 NKJV
The story’s told of two guys who were arguing about religion. One of them finally shouted, “Okay, you serve God your way and I’ll serve Him His way!” When we make our opinions a precondition for loving one another, we end up alienating one another. Much of what we fight about doesn’t matter. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35 NKJV). It’s not enough to love peace, you’ve got to become a peacemaker. When a fight erupted in the New Testament church over eating certain foods, Paul stepped in: “Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God” (Ro 14:13-22 NIV). So, be a peacemaker!
January 7, 2013 | Permalink19 Responses to This Year, Live by the Beatitudes (7)
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Alice says:
Thanks be to the Lord for His unconditional love for me. May the Holy Spirit teach me how to love others as Christ loves me in spite of how I think or feel I should be treated.
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Glenah says:
Amen, “the kingdom of God is not about what u eat, but about righteousness”
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Denise says:
This is also in my family. Thank you for your word God in every intubation, you will provide the answer!
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Toni Hayden says:
I am a peacemaker. It’s my personality. I don’t like confrontation. And today is the first day of my fast and it’s as if God is telling me on my first day of fasting “IT IS GOOD THAT YOU ARE A PEACEMAKER. Just because you don’t like to confront does not mean you are wrong.” I loved todays devotional. I feel that God is speaking directly to me. I need that peace in my home and yes that God will always lead me to say and do the right thing that will lead this family to peace, righteousness and joy!
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Joy says:
Amen… Thank you…
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Jacquie says:
Amen, we would reach a lot more people for Jesus if we would stop fighting with each other.
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Alicia Johnson says:
I will seek peace and pursue it this year.
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Shungu says:
Wow what a challenge! Isn’t that what love is, putting the other first.
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Rajneet says:
I wish I am able to love others as Christ loves me.
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Just controlling my tongue, right this very minute, is what I need the Spirit to help me do. I just opened up a bill that is 3 months late. We are running seriously close to losing our home. My husband has been out of work since September. I am working full time and running a small business. We are strapped beyond belief. I am scared. When I showed my husband the late bill, he flipped. He doesn’t seem to see the work I do and wants to cast blame. He is so scared and so am I. When we’re both scared, we shout and say horrible things. My fast is dedicated to kind speech. I am desperate to be understood, but we all know, shouting doesn’t make us more understood. Please pray for me everyone. I’m trying to honor my husband and be a caring mother, but the pressure is mounting. Clinging to the vine.
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Shelly Wilson says:
My sister, My heart hurts for you, and I am even now lifting you and your family up in prayer to the only One truly able to sustain you. “He has not given you a spirit of fear, but of courage, power, and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7 Keep on holding on, keep on believing, and keep on praying- and in the midst of the bills, and concerns about the house etc. remember greater things are yet to come. I’m looking forward to hearing about the great and awesome things God is about to do on your behalf!
Hugs!! -
Regina~ says:
God sees your situation and your heart. It may appear that the ememy is winning some times or that you are just not heard by God, but remember Isaiah 55:10-13. Continue and endure, do not grow weary while doing good and you are doing good! Showing up for a fast in the middle of such termoile, conflict and heart ache is persistency, it is drawing close to God and He sees that. He will be faithful to all the seeds you are sowing. He cannot go against who He is or what His promises are, read (Isaiah 55:10). Be encouraged, persistsnt and
Remember the leavel of your discomfort is directly related to the fruitful out come of the situation! Continue just to worship when you cannot seem to go on , read or pray!
The enemy hates the worship from us to Him, our beloved God and savior!!! -
Linita says:
Interceding on you and your family’s behalf. God is able to do more exceedingly than you can ask or think. Give it ALL over to HIm and trust HIm like never before. He will open doors you never knew were there. I;m believing that God will renew your marriage, give you and your husband fresh perspective and your children will see how wonderful and awesome the God you serve is. Blessings to you.
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Hi, I am a single mom raising my 2 young boys. This year I have chosen not to look at my finances but rather look up to God. I simply refuse to think of the bills and just speak the word of God. He said ” I will bless the righteous man and surround him with favor as with a shield.. My car broke down on 12/27/12. My friends’ husband fixed it. It needed a new battery. He replaced the battery and replaced the brake lights and other bulbs were not working. The stereo in my van was locked for about 3 yrs and the dealership could fix it, i even called chevy to no avail. He fixed that too. my car is like new and the miracle is that, my friend and husband did it for free. This is the FAVOR OF GOD. Faith is my key word in this fast. God bless you and i will be praying with you.
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La Verne says:
Amen! May the peace of Christ blossom in us and from us in every situation we encounter.
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Patricia says:
Nadyne, you have to speak to the mountain in your life. God said ‘let there be light’ and there was light. He gave us authority over everything on this earth. Romans 4. What you decree you will establish. Make decreeing be a part of your fast. I will keep you in my prayers.
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Reveda L. Merritt says:
keeping my thoughts under submission, finding it easier when I keep my mind focused on His Word.
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Nadyne,
I just prayed that God would take care of you and your needs, show Himself to you in powerful ways during this fast, and bring peace to your home. LIfe is so overwhelming at times, but God is always working in our lives, and on the plan to prosper and not harm us, to give us a hope and a future. May you see Romans 8:28 in your life today and always. Keep fighting the good fight of your faith!
the above situation is a reality in my home, so i am thankful for this fast, and that God will help me to always do what leads to peace for His Glory. Amen.