Gospel Shoes of Peace

GOSPEL SHOES OF PEACE

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” – Romans 12:18

Jesus came as an olive branch, extended from the hand of the Father.  When the world was in turmoil, the spotless Son of God came and took His place, surrounded by slaves shackled in their sin.

He might have come with anger for what was made of His beautiful world, but He came with love.  In compassion and forgiveness, He bent His knee to serve those who would later take His life.

Jesus did not have to agree with our behavior to love us, extend kindness or cry with us when we cry.  He did not view those who would mock, beat and spit upon Him—you and me and every sinner to walk the Earth—as His enemy, but rather as the object of His affection.

His enemy was the devil—d’EVIL—THE EVIL that had entered the world in the garden, and introduced the sin that tore a divide between mankind and the loving arms of God.

Beloved, we are called to follow the example set by Christ.  Whether we agree with one another or not should have no bearing on our love for one another.  We are all broken beggars duped by the same devil to sin.  And like Cain and Abel, we foolishly mistake our brother as the enemy. We don’t have to agree about anything to love and treat each other with kindness and respect.

When we feel an urge to destroy those who hold a difference of opinion, it isn’t proof of our rightness, but rather evidence that some part of us remains under the spell of the same murderous evil that slithered in the garden.

Regardless of who wins the election in the months ahead, which bills pass or fail, let's choose to treat one another with love, humility and mutual respect.  The election process has already shown plenty of poor behavior on both sides of the aisle.  We have forgotten our true enemy.

Father, forgive us for verbally brutalizing our fellow man, and assassinating one another’s character in the name of Christ.

Strengthen us to RIGHTEOUSLY stand for righteousness—to take up our sword and shield and the whole armor of God—stepping forward wearing the gospel shoes of peace. Teach us to do battle on our knees, and to aim our volleys at the powers of darkness and not our neighbor.

Lord, remind us of who and what we are truly fighting, and the necessary weapons of our warfare (2 Cor 10:4-5) to gain the victory.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️
https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more