Peacemakers for the Cause of Christ.
Facilitators of God’s Peace in a World Hungering for Peace.
A 31-session blog/podcast series. A timely subject for a time such as this.
Have you noticed how fragile relationships seem to be today? Nearly everywhere we turn, once good friendships are now strained, strong family ties are now broken, and people, in general, are increasingly at odds with one another more than ever before.
Here in America, politics alone has become a major divider in society. Disagreements and differences abound. Disrespect and contempt are increasing. And now, over the next few months, the 2020 presidential election only looks to make matters worse.
Jesus predicted that there would come a day when…
The love of most will grow cold. Matthew 24: 12 (NIV)
Yet, the Master also said…
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5: 9 (NIV)
As I see it, it’s time for more of us to step out of the fray and allow Jesus to form and shape us into Peacemakers for the Cause of Christ: Facilitators of God’s Peace in a World Hungering for Peace.
How to best use this 31-session blog/podcast series:
Take note that each blog/podcast session begins with a short scripture reading. My suggestion is that you don’t hurry through, or skip the text, but treat it as a Lectio Divina reading where you slow down and sit a bit with God’s Word, allowing it to penetrate and influence you as you read.
We suggest you bookmark this homepage to keep all 31 blogs/podcasts in this series for future reference.
Index & Lectio Divina Text:
Our Introduction. Matthew 5: 3-12
Truth #1: Peacemakers Understand the Times in Which We Live.
1.1. A Time When Love Becomes a Mound of Ashes. Matthew 24: 3-12
1.2. Two Ancient Gifts of Time Awareness. Matthew 24: 32-35
1.3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? John 19: 28-30, Matthew 27: 51-54
Truth #2: Peacemakers Find Themselves in Christ.
2.1. Staying With It – That’s What God Requires. Matthew 24: 13-14
2.2. Jesus of Nazareth: The Road. The Truth. The Life. John 14: 1-11
2.3. Jesus’ Invitation to Our Truest Self. Matthew 16: 13-20
Truth #3: Peacemakers Take an Honest Inventory of Themselves.
3.1. We’re the Witnesses. Luke 24: 44-53
3.2. Where is Jesus’ Peace Dwelling Inside You Today? Isaiah 9: 6-7a, John 14: 25-27, John 20: 19-21
3.3 Time To Take A Bread & Fish Count. Mark 6: 30-44
Truth #4: Peacemakers Embrace the Biblical Power of Peace.
4.1. In the Beginning: God’s Blessing of Shalom. Leviticus 26: 1-13
4.2. In the Middle: God’s Shalom Appears in the Flesh. Isaiah 9: 6-7a, John 3: 16-17
4.3. In the End: God’s Peace – This Focused Center. 2nd Corinthians 5: 14-21
Truth #5: Peacemakers Practice the Presence of God’s Peace.
5.1. Your Running Shoes of Peace. Ephesians 6: 10-17
5.2 Your Warm Sweater of Peace. Colossians 3: 12-17
5.3 Your Ripened, Juicy Pear of Peace. Galatians 5: 22-25
Truth #6: Peacemakers Read/Pray/Converse & Learn.
6.1 It’s Not Good To Be Alone: Open a Book. Genesis 2: 18
6.2 It’s Not Good To Be Alone: Praying with Others. 1st Timothy 2: 1-3, 8-10
6.3 It’s Not Good To Be Alone: Converse & Learn. Psalm 133
Truth #7: Peacemakers Discern Where God Is Working and Join Him There.
7.1 Making Peace: Preferring & Deferring to The Father. 1st Timothy 2: 4-7
7.2 Making Peace: Preferring & Deferring to The Son. John 5: 17-20
7.3 Making Peace: Preferring & Deferring to The Holy Spirit. Luke 24: 44-49
Truth #8: Peacemakers Work From God’s Circle of Peace.
8.1 God’s Circle of Peace: Jesus’ Words & Works. Matthew 9: 35-38
8.2 God’s Circle of Peace: The Care & Cure of Souls. Isaiah 42: 1-3
8.3 God’s Circle of Peace: Holding Space For Others. Matthew 18: 12-14
Truth #9: Peacemakers Embrace Our Role as Facilitators in God’s Circle of Peace.
9.1 Ten Commandments For Facilitators in God’s Circle of Peace – I, II, III. Romans 12: 3-5
9.2 Ten Commandments For Facilitators in God’s Circle of Peace – IV, V, VI. Romans 12: 6-13
9.3 Ten Commandments For Facilitators in God’s Circle of Peace – VII, VIII, IX. Romans 12: 14-21
Truth #10: Peacemakers Keep Going Despite the Resistance.
10.1 Commandment X For Facilitators in God’s Circle of Peace – Keep Showing Up. Hebrews 12: 1-3
10.2 Put On Our Big-Boy or Big-Girl Pants & Never Stop Learning. Hebrews 12: 7-11
10.3 Ready. Set. Now, Let’s Go. Hebrews 12: 12-15
Click here to visit our resource page: PUTTING ON YOUR PEACEMAKER TOOLBELT.
Click here for a complete list of Scriptures used in this blog/podcast series.
This blog/podcast series is dedicated to the late Rick Love, who worked diligently as a pro-active peacemaker for the cause of Christ, particularly when it came to facilitating peace between Christians and Muslims. Time and time again, Rick was warned by well-intentioned friends to be very careful when working with those “non-Christians.” The rules and regulations of religion would say that Rick was sacrificing God’s truth in order to be with Muslims. But Rick, being fully aware of the differences in theology, went right ahead building relationships with those who were different from himself. Why? Because, Rick believed that Jesus always preferred relationships over rule-keeping. Thank you, Rick, for modeling for all of us the peacemaking ways of Christ. Godspeed!
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