(March 4, 2010)

Prayer House News!

Men's Breakfast today at 7:00am. Dunn Brothers coffee group tonight at 6:30pm followed by the Mighty Men study group - finally ending with RPM at 9:00pm. RPM is open to all.

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Correction: This Saturday is the beginning of our new format for SNS. However, since this weekend is a Family Week - all the kids will be in the service with us. The following week we will have a full kids program during SNS.

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The Sermon III

continued from yesterday

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

The summation of this great teaching is that we will be called the sons of God. The peacemakers are the sons of God, but what is peace making? I believe it is much more than just settling arguments between two people. It’s even much more than being an ambassador who keeps the peace between two countries.

Let’s look at the point all of these beatitudes bring to. It starts off with being poor in spirit, which is the emptying of ourselves for others. If we were to empty ourselves for those around us would that bring peace to their hearts? For God so loved that he gave. If we all so loved, would that help take away anxiety in our nation? If the Muslims loved us in the same way that God loves them – would there be any need for worry?

The next beatitude says that we are blessed when we suffer for others. If an evil person came up to me and said, “Give me your shirt,” and I said, ‘here take my coat also,’ would he still have a reason to hate me? Would he even have a reason to remain evil? If I was willing to suffer so that his needs could be met, wouldn’t that bring peace to his heart?

Meekness is next on the list. Meekness is the willingness to obey. This obviously requires a dying to self. The willingness to lay down our own plans and agendas and to submit entirely to God’s plan is only going to benefit everyone around us. When would a father or mother cause problems in a home rather than bless the home? Isn’t when they willfully choose not to obey Christ and to follow their own will? Wouldn’t complete surrender to the will of God bring peace to you and everyone around you?

Then there are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They long for people to be treated the right way. They hunger to see the name of the Lord glorified through their right treatment of others. This one is quite obvious. If a person wants more than anything to see justice in the land – obviously that will bring peace.

It is quite evident that the merciful person will only benefit those around him. How could you live in the presence of a merciful person and not feel cared for or looked after? Mercy is unmerited favor. You don’t even have to earn it. It is the great gift of God which brings peace to the soul.

Then there are those who are pure in heart. They see from God’s perspective. They have a difficult time not appreciating another person because of the correct outlook they have of others. They see what God sees. God sees the heart. God sees us as His children. Doesn’t that bring peace to your soul?

Finally we come to the peacemaker. The peacemaker is one who successfully brings Christ to a person. There is no peace without Christ. When Christ enters the heart of man his life is instantly filled with peace. This is more than a talented arbitrator, skillfully working his magic and settling arguments. This is the person who, through the fullness of the Holy Spirit, makes Christ so real to others that they see him, and receive him, subsequently, their lives are filled with peace.

continued tomorrow

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Medication: A Merry Heart

You've Got Mail

Working at the post office, I'm used to dealing with a moody public.

So, when one irate customer stormed my desk, I responded in my calmest voice,

"What's the trouble?""I went out this morning," she began, "and when I came home,I found a card saying the mailman tried to deliver a package, but no one was home.

I'll have you know, my husband was in all morning! He never heard a thing!"After apologizing, I got her parcel.

"Oh good!" she gushed. "We've been waiting for this for ages!"

"What is it?" I asked."My husband's new hearing aid."