SEEK PEACE! (PART 2 OF 2)

WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF YOU?

November 15, 2019

WHAT IS TRUE SERVICE?

November 18, 2019

17^thNOVEMBER 2019
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Today, we continue from yesterday’s devotional on the need to make peace in our family and in the world. In yesterday’s devotional, we stressed the need for why peace must start with you! We recognized the fact that God is peaceful, and being children of God, we must endeavor to become like our father by allowing the spirit of God to take hold of our life. Paul in Galatians 4:6 says, “because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” He also says in, Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.” Being led by the Spirit always includes bearing the fruit of the Spirit. And the fruit of the Spirit is peace. It is by the Spirit of God that we are made children of God, and the Spirit of God is the Spirit of peace. If we are not peacemakers, we are not attuned to the Spirit of Christ, and therefore, we cannot be children of God. How do we push for peace in our daily lives? Jesus equates peacemaking with showing love to our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. (Ref: Matthew 5:43–47). Here, Jesus says LOVE is an example of peacemaking. If anyone offends you, do not feed the animosity. Rather, try to build a bridge across to that other person. When we extend the hands of fellowship to our enemies, we do so because we want peace; not because we want to cover the anger or that we are afraid of the person. That is what God Himself did for us. He made peace with us through the blood of Jesus in spite of our sins. He did that because He loved us and would not want us to perish. Endeavor to make peace andreconciliation always. Peace initiatives usually start with little things such as greetings. It expands to greater things like making sacrifices for the enemy. Today is the day to set things right in our families and workplace. Bridge the gap between you and everyone else no matter the cultural and religious differences. Extend the olive branch to all and make peace with all no matter what the others have done wrong. This is a difficult process though, but since God did that for us, we must do likewise for others. In any case, Jesus says, make peace! Beloved, today is a day to break down the walls that separate you from others. Let peace and harmony reign! Release the doves of peace! It is only by so doing that we can individually contribute our quota to world peace and harmony.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the prince of peace. Thank you for your word today. Give me your heart of peace, that through me, peace may extend throughout the world. Let peace and reconciliation reign in my life and in my family henceforth. Thank you, Lord. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 10:34

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.