God’s Peace

Peace is Possible

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

I have spent a lifetime reading the news and seeing images of Arabs and Israelis fighting. From the Munich kidnapping and killing of Israeli athletes to the 50 innocent men women and children killed in a Mosque by a Jewish radical there has been bloodshed everywhere. We have grown immune to hope almost as if this is something we must expect…but we do not!

Where in the Bible is it written that this is God’s plan? Peace is possible. Even if everyone else in the world laughs at the hope of an accord we as Christians are required by God to pray for the impossible. We may forget that at Camp David in August of 1978 Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty. Why not today between Israeli and Palestinian leaders? To really pray as God commands us for the peace of Jerusalem someone must begin to believe it is possible. Who knows what God can do? The giant of hatred and death who has terrorized generations of children can be defeated by a single stone of hope.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV

Peace in Confusing Times

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The God who we say we serve is the God of all peace. As we prepare our hearts before receiving communion we should also prepare our attitudes before rushing off to church. When this first half of St Francis’ prayer should becomes our own then the God of all peace will meet us there and do what only He can do!

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

Being a Peacemaker

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

I have learned that peacemaking has a price. While others take positions that they feel are right and demand that others be condemned…I cannot. I must allow myself to be included among the accused and listen till God gives me something of value to say. Only His Words are the balm of Gilead that bring healing to the wounded and true peace that will outlast any war.