Romans 12:9-21 Live In Peace and Harmony

Romans 12:9-21 NIV
Just, be nice and do what is right, already! That's it! Quit playing games! Quit doing what is unlawful! Do what is good for all people and think a whole lot less about what it is that you want.

Paul admonishes the Romans to love one and another and treat one another with respect so that we might live in harmony with one another and in peace. Stealing from your neighbor, selling drugs to their children kind of breaks the harmony. It pretty much upsets the balance of peace in any community.

We are to hate what is evil and cling to those things that are good. But, that does not mean that we are to hate and take personal vengeance on those whom we have deemed to have done evil. That only creates more disharmony; disunity. Leave the vengeance to God. Pray for your enemy, that they will repent and turn to the way of the LORD; then and only then will we live in peace and harmony.

May God open the eyes and hearts of those who would divide our communities by doing what is harmful evil. May all of our children and their children live in health, wholeness and prosperity. May we all live in peace and harmony.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Luke 16:1-15 Love of Money

Luke 16:1-15 NIV
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (vs 13)

This is not to say that if you have a lot of money that you do not love or serve God. In fact, maybe you are one whom God has richly blessed and you use what He has given use wisely and for His glory. He is your first love, the riches are merely a tool to reach out to others, glorifying His Holy Name. Be wise; though, and understand that the pursuit of gaining money and things can quickly take over your life and in the end you may realize that it was not God (the one who blessed you) that you loved; rather, it was riches in this world.

Use the gifts that God has given use in a manner that might glorify Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 6:27-36 Love Your Enemy

Luke 6:27-36 NIV
When Jesus says love your neighbor, he does not mean that we just get to smile when encountering those who hate us. It means we really need to care about them; even when they're not looking. We are to do good to others. It seems it is difficult for those who consider us their enemies to understand that even though they slander us and concoct all kinds of harm against us, the Christian will help them and support them in their time of need.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (vs 28) "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (vs 36)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Jeremiah 11 - Pray For All People

“Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress." (Jer 11:14 NIV)

Here is a hard saying for those of us who desire that no one should be lost. But, let us remember the context for this saying. God, Himself, is speaking to Jeremiah and giving this order. When was the last time you or I heard God tell us that we could or should not pray for someone? Although, there may be individual exceptions to this, the last Word we've heard on this was from Jesus:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:43-45)

We do know the mind of God when it comes to individuals. We do not know whose hearts are so hard that they will never be softened. So, brothers and sisters, pray for all people, pray even for your enemy, that it might be well for them and for all people, including yourself. Pray that hearts might be softened toward the LORD and that we might live in peace - reconciled to God and one another.

God's Peace - Pr. J