“Face It!” (James 3:13-18)
Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might have peace; not as the world gives but that only I can give.” Jn. 14:27
“I will give peace to the one who’s mind is fixed on me.” Is. 26:3
“The peace of God will transcend all understanding and guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7
“Blessed are the PeaceMakers for they will be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9
*A PeaceKeeper will avoid conflict by treading lightly around the real issue or by acting like a real issue doesn’t even exist.
*A PeaceMaker will strive to resolve conflicts and seek to reconcile conflicted relationships.
*A PeaceKeeper is a mediator (takes middle ground acting between two parties in a disagreement).
*A PeaceMaker is a reconciler (One who settles or resolves differences in a conflict).
> It’s my desirethat youhave peacein your heart, in your mind and in relationships with others.
You will be miserable if you don’t have peace.
***It takes wisdom to discern when to make peace and when to keep peace.
⁃ You can only make peace when you first have peace yourself.
⁃ You can only make peace when those in conflict desire peace.
⁃ You can only make peace when you begin to sow peace.
How Do You Strive to Make Peace? *(You can’t fix what you won’t face).
1.Ask God for wisdom and a way.
2.Make the first move if no one is else is moving and you feel led.
3.Don’t wait on someone else to make the first move; especially if you are the one in the wrong.
4.Don’t accuse or excuse.
5.Don’t build hateful or hurtful opinions when you don’t know all the facts.
6.Don’t wait until it’s too late.
7.Know that sometimes the only thing you can do is keep the peace; but don’t let it steal your peace.
8.Realize making peace is not contingent upon you alone.
9.Focus on the person more than the problem.
10.Focus on reconciliation more than being right.
11.Stop talking and start listening.
12.Quit confessing what needs to be forgotten.
Peace is an atmosphere that is produced by proper patterns that embodies a Spirit-Led Christ centered life.
To be a PeaceMaker means you produce peace in situations, circumstances and, in the lives of others by giving what you have received from God first. His peace!
As much as it depends on you, leave at peace with everyone.
Sometimes you have to face it to fix it! But, sometimes you have to release it to receive true peace.
