TEXT: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9). God’s blessing and subsequent prosperity caused strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot (See Genesis 13:5-12). Hostility threatened their family relationship, but through God’s wisdom, Abraham acted as a peacemaker. In Part 1 we studied three principles that will help us to be peacemakers too: by understanding how much God has forgiven you; by not using your age to get your own way; and by emphasising the bond of family. In Part 2, Today’s Teaching focusses on three more principles of a true peacemaker. 1. When you don’t use wealth to get your own way – ‘Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold’ (Genesis 13:2 NLT). Abraham had far more than Lot, therefore his needs were greater. Surely Lot should have realised that. It’s sad when Christians use wealth to try to get their own way in a church, but such action will only create division rather than unity. The Bible warns against showing partiality towards the rich at the expense of the poor, because the rich can abuse the legal process and exploit the poor (See James 2:1-8). Abraham realised God meant what He said, ‘Fear not Abraham, I am your shield...
Learn MoreTEXT: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9). There was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot (See Genesis13:5-12). This was the result of prosperity, as both saw their flocks and herds increase rapidly, and they ran out of room to share pastures together. Hostility was threatening their family relationship. This account in Genesis shows how wisely Abraham handled a delicate situation and as a result, they separated amicably. This incident reveals some important principles about peace-making. You will know you are a true peacemaker: When you understand how much God has forgiven you. Jesus taught the parable about the Unforgiving Servant (See Matthew 18:21-35). He had an insurmountable debt to repay, that was totally and freely forgiven by his master. The threat of prison was lifted the moment his debt was cancelled, but he didn’t act in a generous way to a fellow-servant who owed him a very small sum. He refused to give him any more time to repay and had him thrown into prison. It wasn’t long before they changed places, after the other servants complained to their master about what had happened. 10,000 was the biggest measurable number at that time. Today we have gone from a million, to...
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TEXT: ‘Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favour my vindication and want what is right for me; Let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, who delights and takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”’ (Psalm 35:27 AMP). People have said to me, “You’re only a Christian for what you can get.” Absolutely true! There are so many wonderful blessings to receive, the forgiveness of sins being the most important. What hope could a non-believer give to a man nearing the end of his life and wracked with guilt because of sin? “Don’t worry” won’t help because he is worried. “Have another drink and forget” doesn’t help either, because nothing can blot out the fear of what is after death. Only a Christian could help by showing them how to put their trust in Jesus. A man once said to me, “You Christians can’t lose. If it happens, you say it’s God’s will, and if it doesn’t, you also say it’s God’s will”. To which I replied, “Isn’t that a wonderful position to be in!” It’s because of all God’s wonderful blessings that I want to serve the Lord. All I have to do is ensure I put God first and He will do the rest. The religious wrongly say we...
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TEXT: ‘Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh”… but Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord’ (Jonah 1:1, 3). As I was reading in the book of Jonah, that he didn’t want to obey God and go to Nineveh, I wondered why God didn’t just get somebody else to go instead. After all, the saying goes, “One volunteer is worth more than ten pressed men!” As I thought about this, several key things came to light and these form the basis for Today’s Teaching. 1. God does not like us saying “NO” to Him – ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice’ (1 Samuel 15:22). When we refuse to go, it’s saying to God, “You really do not know what you are doing by asking me!” When Moses replied, ‘Please, Lord, send someone else’ (Exodus 4:13 TLB), God got angry with him. The Bible says, ‘Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?’ (Hebrews 12:9 ESV). Say “No” to sin and Satan’s temptations, but say “Yes” to God. Obedience was what made David special to...
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TEXT: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me’ (Luke 4:18). Just as Jesus waited until He could say, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me”, before He started His public ministry, so His disciples were told to do the same. ‘And now I will send the Holy Spirit upon you, just as my Father promised. Don’t begin telling others yet—stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven’ (Luke 24:49 TLB). The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian Church that the Holy Spirit had been given as a guarantee, that what Jesus was preparing for them, really was for them and they would experience all of it (See 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5 and Ephesians 1:14). He also reminded them that everything they received, whether then or in eternity, was all through the Holy Spirit. Today’s Teaching focusses on some of the things the Holy Spirit does in us and for us. 1. The New Birth – ‘Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts’...
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