Category Archives: Peace

Anger, Devotions, Justice, Peace, Personal

Anger Management

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Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

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Personally, if given the choice, I would rather not have anger in my life. I do not like to be around angry people, and I do not enjoy those who vent the minutia of life in my face. I choose not to allocate my energy, my time, or my emotional capital to dealing with anger. 

I have this prejudice because I have been angry.  I have seen the long-term effects of my anger.  Anger hurts me and everyone around me. I judge anger as being a negative and sinful emotion.  I have dealt with anger many times, and some would see me as stoic because I refuse to respond to someone’s negativity.

The followers of Jesus must judge their actions. To be effective, choices must be made. You may call them opinions, taste, or discernment, but it is still a judgment.  It is the rational, unemotional, preference of one act or person over another. We all make conscious decisions on whom we will gather.  I welcome constructive disagreement and even take joy in it.  It is my choice.  I must choose for my own sake, those who are not angry to occupy the moments of my life I have left. Why?  Because angry people make me angry.  And you would like to see me angry, and neither would God.

#Just Larry

Devotions, Peace

Matthews 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

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As I was reading through this message and imagining myself among the inquisitive masses, this one line seems different. It is the only one which is a promise if a future title. Yes, the makers of peace are blessed, that is a simple description of the current state of the task. Here he says that in the future and not during effort, a title will be given. My actions as seen by others will be seen as actions of peace and I will receive, not from God but from those around me a title of peacemaker. I will become the go to person when there is strife.  I will become trusted to listen to both sides and provide a reasonable solution to the dispute. What a reputation!

I hear Jesus telling me the better alternative to hurt, pain and resentment, is being a peacemaker. He tells me that I have a calling to make peace. Peacemaking is me doing something for the concept of peace. Peacemaking is about my willingness to go further than the hurt.

I need a new relationship with God with a united peacemaking cause and to reach out to make peace. It is the calling of all children of God.

Today, I will dedicate my every action with the purpose of making peace.  I will not lash out, I will try to make peace when others seem bent to tear things up.  I will stand in the gap when there is conflict and bring the hope of peace.

And again, that peace must start with me.  Oh Lord, Remind me again that you desire peace among your children.

Devotions, Peace

Peace Oh wonderful Peace

John 14:26-27 “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

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Praise God!  My sins are forgiven.  I have declared to be at peace with God.  God is at peace with me. Today I will experience a peace that is simply incomprehensible. I trust in a God who loves, cares, draws, forgives, restores, destroys fear, and limits trouble within my heart.

I live with peace within myself, I live in peace with those around me, and I live at peace with God.

We close August with a sweet peace only God can provide. Peace comes from a complete and absolute change of viewpoint. The lens has changed. The view of everything has changed. It makes the world seem crazy but that is OK. I have changed my mind. I don’t think as they do. I don’t react in the same way. I am no longer a victim of my circumstances. I am not oppressed, and I will never be an oppressor. God loves me. God loves you. I have peace.

# Just Larry

Church, Culture, Devotions, Peace

To protect the peace.

Ephesians 6: 14-17 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

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I have never served in the military. I admire and pray for those who protect and serve. It is difficult to relate to the metaphor Paul was using here. Belts, breastplates, feet coverings, a shield, flaming arrows, helmets, and swords are all about war.  It seems that it is not politically correct to sing, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war”. Today’s church is one of inclusion, worship songs, and integration with the community. As I write this morning I wonder, is the church becoming so culturally aware, that it has lost the war makers?  Is the price for cultural awareness in the name of peace, restricted the Gospel strengthened warriors of faith? Where is the “Stand Firm”? Where is the armor?  Where is the call to prepare for the current culture war?  A war where truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, salvation, the Spirit, and the Word of God are the implements. 

I pray for the readiness that comes with the Gospel of Peace.  I pray for my fellow Christians who are ready for battle. To protect the peace.

#Just Larry