Tag: alpha

Blessed are the peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God. Mt:5:9

The role “Peacemaker” mentioned in the Bible is often ignored by believers. It is taken very lightly. Peace is a gift GOD gives.

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Jn:14:27

JESUS is mentioned in the below verse as “Prince of Peace”. HE longs to give us the peace even in our most troubled times.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is:9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is:9:6

Who is a Peacemaker?

A person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries.(Google’s definition)

Whenever there is a division or disagreement between two parties, a 3rd person who gets involved to make peace is called a Peacemaker.

Today many christians forget their role as peacemakers and cause more division among friends and families. I have come across many such people who knowingly or unknowingly play a role in creating division among couples, friends and family.

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Ps:34:14

Bible says, search for peace and maintain it. Peace is a key to unlock the blessings in your life. Peace is like a river that nourishes your soul in the drought of your life.

Reminds me of the song written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford – “It is well with my soul”

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

He wrote this song in the worst season of his life when he lost all his children, which still resonates to this day with millions who go through their own loss.

Peace is also a fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal:5:22,23

Peace is something through which GOD confirms HIS decision/will.Have you ever been at cross roads and you felt peace about 1 decision and chaos and confusion about the other. The peace is always GOD’s confirmation. Don’t make a decision when you are confused.

Now where does the peacemaker come into all this.

6 There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
    a lying tongue,
    hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
    feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
    a person who sows discord in a family. Prov:6:16-19

The last one mentioned in the 7 things GOD hates is the opposite of PEACEMAKER.

Someone who creates discord or breaks the unity among family, friends and community. Imagine if you were part of that list of what GOD hates. The Message translation of the Bible states that person as “a troublemaker in the family”.

Instead of being called a troublemaker choose to be called a “Child of GOD”.

What a privilege GOD gives us to be called by the title- “Children of GOD”

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mt:5:43-48

Let’s us make it our goal not to gossip about others, not to speak lies about others, to mind our own business and not to poke into other people’s lives, but to speak life and truth and love into others. And work more to maintain the Peace that GOD has graciously given us.

GOD has called us to be HIS Children!!! Let us replicate HIM!

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect! Mt:5:48

GOD bless ya!

JESUS – humble and Gentle at heart


Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mt:11:29

This is the only verse where JESUS opens up HIS heart to reveal who HE is. HE is humble and gentle at heart.

On this Maundy Thursday as we reflect on the last Supper and the events unfolding leading upto the crucifixion of JESUS, let’s take a closer look at JESUS’s character- humility. Knowing that HE is GOD’s Son, although HE is GOD himself, JESUS set an example to His disciples by washing their feet.

3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. Jn:13:3-5

The WORD of GOD(JESUS) through whom the entire universe and everything that exists was created HE Himself stoops down and picks up the dirty dusty feet of His disciples with HIS Sovereign Hands and washes it and wipes it clean. It is very hard to imagine thats why Peter one of His disciples wouldn’t let Him wash his feet initially. If the King of Kings Himself can do such a lowly task then neither of us can think of ourselves too highly.

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. Jn:13:12-17

JESUS taught us to serve one another in humility.

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mt:20:26-28

JESUS came to serve and give HIS own life as a ransom for all mankind. Let us humble ourselves like JESUS. GOD hates pride.

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Prov:16:18

Whether at home or out in the world as children of GOD lets forsake pride and exhibit humility.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James:4:10

The reward for humility is great. The LORD Himself promises to lift us up.

When JESUS was mocked, beaten, spat upon and humiliated like no-one else for no fault of His own, HE never opened HIS mouth. Today how many of us can keep quite when someone insults us or gossips behind our back or accuses of wrong doing or condemns us. It’s very very difficult, our very first reaction is to retaliate and throw insults back. It’s human nature to give tit for tat. Even as we meditate on the Cross and HIS suffering, let’s learn about this beautiful character of JESUS-humility and gentleness.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!Gal:5:22-23

JESUS was gentle. Gentleness is a fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT.

When JESUS approached sinners He wasn’t arrogant but gentle. When we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, gentleness becomes natural to us as its one of the fruit. A good tree produces good fruit. Let us strive to produce the good fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT even as we spend time with the LORD through HIS Word engrained within us and with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT and HIS divine guidance. When you feel most difficult to show any humility or gentleness in you life, just look to the cross, think about what JESUS did as mentioned in the below verse.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,
    yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
    And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
    he did not open his mouth. Is:53:7

JESUS the Lion of Judah took the form of a humble Lamb. How much more should we exhibit humility and gentleness!

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Mt:11:28-30

Learn from JESUS for HE is willing to teach you. HE says “Come to me and I will teach you to be humble and gentle”. And the reward that follows is rest for our souls. Today we are carrying unnecessary burdens, strifes, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness, let us surrender it all to JESUS and learn to be humble and gentle like HIM.

Have a blessed day!!!