Freedom 2024
Make Peace with it…. We are peace makers not peace keepers.
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Discussion Point #1: Making peace; has there been a situation in your or a story to share: where the conversation can go either way; either into an argument or remain peaceful? How did it go?
Matthew 5:9 (AMP) 9Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. [Heb 12:14]
This scripture calls us to be peace makers and maintainers not keepers of peace. Peace keepers will avoid the fight, avoid the conflict, or avoid the conversation. Peace makers: will engage in the conflict in order to resolve it however peace makers do so with LOVE!
Discussion Point #2: When there is a conflict where one person has an opinion that does not match yours what do you do? Has there been a time where conflict was resolved or did it get worse and what was your response? Or what should it have been?
In situations of conflict or a time when emotions are high what do we do?
Luke 12:11-12 (AMP) 11When they bring you before the synagogues and the magistrates and the authorities, do not be worried about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Exodus 4:11-12 (AMP) 11The Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, or the seeing or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.
We now understand and know that God will tell us what to say but, we still have to say it with love.
Discussion Point #3: When was a time where God used you to speak to someone in love when you didn't have the words yourself?
Proverbs 15:1 (AMP) 1A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. [Prov 25:15]
Proverbs 25:15 (AMP) 15By patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance].
1 Samuel 25:24-25 (AMP) 24Kneeling at his feet she said, My lord, let the blame and guilt be on me alone. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant. 25Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal (fool) is his name and foolishness (stupidity) is with him; but I your maidservant did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.
Abigail brought out the king in David. She spoke respectful and kind and said don’t let one bad decision ruin your kingship.
There was wisdom and respect but what she said wasn’t wrong.
So let you being right alienate those we are trying to witness to.
Challenge for the Week: Walk as a peacemaker this week. Ask God to see how you should respond to a conflict. Ask God to help you make what needs said in Love.