Peacemaker
Peace. What a commodity. We value it. We want it. We long for it. Peace as mentioned in the New Testament literally means, “to set at one again.” The picture is something that was once set in place has either been removed or toppled over (think of the game Jenga, remove foundational pieces and over it goes). Chaos, strife, irritation, even war are the results. Once it is set back in place—PEACE.
Remember God and man (and Eve) in the Garden? Their relationship was good and whole (peace-filled). Then there was a sin outbreak, and the fellowship was broken—toppled over.
For generations (begetting) generations there was a missing element, what was—is no longer. Later Isaiah speaks of the coming of the Prince of Peace and the government resting on His shoulders (9:6). Fast forward to Luke chapter 2, the angels announce, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace…” (v14). Peace was on earth. Jesus is the missing piece (peace). He came bridging the gap between man and his God. He set it all back in place. Fellowship restored. Peace has been re-set.
When there is a lack of peace amongst us (chaos, strife or irritation) we have a choice. We can either be a peacekeeper or a peacemaker.
Many years ago, I sensed Holy Spirit had me take a deeper look at the difference between the two. I found it to be rather eye-opening. Whenever God puts something in front of us, it may not be for “now.” He may be preparing us for someday.
A peacekeeper’s motivation is hoping to NOT rock the boat. Running from one person to the other, trying to keep everyone happy. Calm and happiness over here (rock). Please be happy and calm over there (rock). But as they bounce from one to another—they add to the rocking. Not to mention (but I will) the waves they make.
A peacemaker doesn’t run. (Phew!) How exhausting. A peacemaker stands. They stand right in the middle. Remember what biblical peace is? Setting at one again. It is speaking and raising truth IN the chaos. It isn’t raising a white flag as to surrender. It is the flag of occupation. Peace making is resetting. Bringing truth into the moment.
Five years ago, I was officiating my grandmother’s funeral. After the service while walking through the potluck line, some family members began to get into it. As it got rather HEATED, I stepped forward and (lovingly) but very boldly told them “Not here. NOT now.” We are here today to honor Grandma. Holding my ground, they calmed down and dished themselves more taco salad casserole.
You see just a few months prior, one of our family members committed suicide. As you can imagine it tore the family apart. So. Much. Pain. In the pain there were opinions and voiced perspectives. These ripped a few family members out.
As I stood holding my plate, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “There it is—peacemaker.” I didn’t run from side to side. I stood and spoke truth. In the center of it all. “Not here. Not now.”
Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9). What a reward to be called a son or daughter of God, as we reflect His character in promoting well-being through Jesus Christ. As we take a stand. A stand of light, of salt, authority—of speaking truth—bringing GOD to a situation, we are instruments of peace in the world, to the world.
Peace stands.
This last spring my niece got married, it was an extremely wet and rainy day. But under that big white tent was a most beautiful thing. My other niece, whom we hadn’t seen in five years—she came to the wedding. She showed up.
Sometimes peace is a process.
Peacekeeping runs. Peacemaking stands! Standing in the middle and speaking—truth in the situation. Setting truth back in the center—Peace.
Stand.
Above is an excerpt (more to come) from my teaching on the Fruit of the Spirit at a recent women’s retreat. It was my honor to be with the great group of women from Riverside Community Church, in Rainier, Oregon. If you’re in their area, stop in and see them. You’ll be blessed.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrew 10:24).
Peace
Have you ever felt a shrug of heart, you know that “Blah” feeling? Perhaps the blah is leading to anxiety or even agitation. The only way to put it into words is “I’m off, just… off.” May I offer, something may have shifted. Shifted from the sidelines to the seat; something/someone is now sitting on the throne of our heart. This, my dear friend is found deep in the factory setting in the design of man, a component known as the Peace Barometer. (Okay, maybe not—but that is what I call it).
Peace.
In the Old Testament, the word for peace (Hebrew) is shalom. In short, meaning tranquility, harmony, wholeness. It has been referred to as evidence of not having strife or war. I would define peace not necessarily in what you do not have, but in what you do have. Let’s give a nod to the New Testament: The word for peace (in Greek) is eirene, which literally means “to set at one.” The picture is something that was once set in place has either been removed or toppled over (think of the game Jenga, remove foundational pieces and over it goes) chaos, strife, irritation even war are the results. Once it is set back in place—PEACE reigns.
Here’s a brief (VERY brief) explanation: Remember God and man (and Eve) in the Garden, their relationship was good and whole (peace-filled). Then there was a sin outbreak, the relationship was broken—toppled over. For generations (begetting) generations there was a missing element, what was, is no longer. Later Isaiah speaks of the coming of the Prince of Peace and the government resting on His shoulders (9:6). Fast forward to Luke chapter 2, the angels announce, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace…” (v14). Peace was back on earth among man. Jesus is the missing piece (peace). He came bridging the gap (which was big and ugly) between man and his God. He set it all back in place. Relationship restored. God the Father planned it. God the Son accomplished it. God the Holy Spirit applied it. The God package delivered. PEACE REIGNS.
Paul writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Col. 3:15). Here’s where the peace barometer comes in: If God is not ruling on the throne of our heart, be assured another will occupy it! We will know peace to the degree that we YEILD to Christ, the Prince of Peace, if NOT—chaos, strife, irritation.
Paul again, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, emphasis mine). Presenting to God means, we are NOT to go looking for solutions elsewhere. If we do, we can potentially be placing things on the throne that shouldn’t be there. Our peace barometer will TILT if Jesus is not the center of our life, the One residing and reigning on the throne of our heart. Peace is not about peaceful circumstances; it’s about yielding to the presence of Christ. Let’s cut to the chase: God doesn’t come to take sides (help sort out our stuff) He comes to TAKE OVER. It is His design, His throne.
“May the God of Peace who makes everything… holy and whole, make YOU holy and whole, put you together–spirit, soul and body” (1 Thess. 5:23, paraphrased, The Message). God the Maker—God at the center—God on the throne.
How is our peace barometer? What is the condition of the throne of our heart? What is there? Who is there?
Peace.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
Christmas Peace
Christmas. Just the word alone brings a soft glow to the soul. Warm crackling fires, hot chocolate and watching Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey yelling “Mary!” as he runs through the old drafty house. A peaceful experience. Peace.
Christmas peace, Luke 2:14, when the angels appear to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men...” Peace had come to earth.
Biblical peace (in the Greek) is ‘to set at one again’ – think about the picture it paints. Something that has once been erected has toppled over. Chaos, strife, irritation, unrest even war are the results. Once it is set back, PEACE is the result; all is in its rightful place. Remember Adam and Eve sinning in the garden? (Thanks guys!) The original design, ‘God and man’ had been ‘toppled over.’ Gone were the daily walks together in the garden. Now Jesus came, setting things back in the right place, God and man in right relationship. It may not be the Garden, but God again walking with us. Emmanuel, oh the ‘with us’ of God! Jesus, peace on earth. Peace is a Person. (Side note: Ever consider, it was in a garden, God’s will was addressed – Adam & Eve messed it up – Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane chose & walked out fulfilling God’s will).
Peace is not only a Person, but a position. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace …for through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:13,14) We are now back where we were originally designed to be, full access to God, able to come into His presence. Paul declares this point, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) Peace is position
Because of our sinful nature and our perpetual continuing to do so, John strongly declares “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Interestingly, this was written to CHRISTIANS, yup, you and me. As we confess, we are saying the same thing about our situation that God does. We are now in full agreement; we realign with what God says. In this process, we are taking what was ‘toppled over’ returning to the original design and bringing Jesus back to His rightful peaceful place. We mess up, we get cleaned up. Peace restored. Peace is a process.
Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders…” Now consider Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ RULE in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Does Christ take the rightful place on the throne of our life? Here’s a dandy thought: We will know peace to the degree that we bow to Jesus’ authority. It is NOT about peaceful circumstances, it’s about Jesus being the center of our life. Peace is a posture, a bowed, get OFF the throne, allow Jesus prime seating – posture. Ours is a guarded posture. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
This Christmas as we sing and sway with the Hoo’s in Hooville, rip open the gifts under the tree, and read PEACE across our Christmas cards, may we pause and consider whole heartedly, the Person, position, process and posture of peace. Yes, Peace had indeed come to earth, and He-is-KING.
Can I get an AMEN!
In Him, Blessed Christmas from our heart & home, DeDe & Mark (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24)
* For Jeff, who stepped into God’s loving arms this week, after his struggle with cancer, he is at peace.
The Ruling Power of Peace
The ladies and I at bible study have been treading around in the Fruit of the Spirit, while we splash about, we found ourselves going from knee deep – to take a deep breath here we go! We’ve looked at love, joy and this week … peace.
“Shalom!” You may hear on the streets of Jerusalem, as a greeting or as waving good-bye, the gesture stating ‘Peace unto You” in Hebrew. Meaning, prosperity to you, but not in the sense that we know today, we think prosperity, “WHAOO! I’m rich!” Prosperity is wholeness, soundness, well-being WITH God.
As a quality of God, what is peace and how do we get some! When asked of others, they all answered with pretty much the same theme, “Peace is NOT having strife, turmoil or war.” Which is true, but peace is not just what we no longer have (strife, turmoil), or the absence of something, it is what we possess.
The word Paul uses in Galatians 5:22,23 as peace is ‘eirēnē’ (a-ray-nay) This peace is the recognition and acceptance of the redeeming power and authority of Jesus in my life. In short, (in the Greek) ‘to set at one again.’ Think about the picture it paints. Something that has once been erected has toppled over. Chaos, strife, irritation even war are the results. Once it is set back, PEACE is the result; all is in its rightful place. The gap between us and the Creator of the Universe has now been bridged. Ever feel that IRRITATION – and can’t seem to identify what or why? Consider looking for what, or (may I suggest) ‘Who’ has been toppled over.
Isaiah 9:6-7 The foretelling of Peace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” (bold emphasis mine)
The increase of peace accompanies the increase of Christ’s governing power over our lives. (read that again) Now consider Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ RULE in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Again adding emphasis) If I want peace in my heart, do I allow Jesus to RULE in my heart? He is King, yes indeed, but do I bow to Him as … King. Does my life behavior reflect my heart condition (or my words) declaring Him as King? Does He take the rightful place on the throne of my life? 
Do I place HIM in the very center of my circumstances? Here’s a dandy thought: We will know peace to the degree that we bow to Jesus’ authority.
In practical terms: Let’s say we put our ‘stuff’ in the middle of the room, walk around it dozens of times, call in others have them take a look at it, ask what THEY think, if we don’t like what they advise, we politely dismiss them and invite in others for another tour around our stuff. God’s way: We place it at the feet of Jesus (in the middle of the room – our lives) “What do YOU say Jesus?” And we go with what HE says. It is NOT about peaceful circumstances, it’s about the APPLIED authority of Christ. There will be times we may not have time to put it in the center and consider and pray. Ever hear that voice, you’re in a situation “OH DON’T YOU DO THAT!” Don’t you SAY that!” Do we STOP, and apply His ruling voice over us? If not heeded, you walk away and later you are unsettled? May I offer: Jesus would say, “I will minister My peace where I am in authority.” In the upset of obedience vs disobedience, His voice over our own, God doesn’t come to take sides, He comes to TAKE OVER.
How do we pray for peace? Ask Jesus to SHOW US, where something has toppled over, where we may have kicked Him off His rightful place. Once He shows us, take it and place it in the middle of the room, at His feet. Or move over, get off the throne, stop playing musical chairs and let Him back on the throne of our life. Remember, ‘Peace is like a river…’ (Is 66:12) NOT a pond, stagnant and settled. Unlike the river, that flows from the mountain top, always moving, always refreshing, always pure. “Peace like a river.” Flow Lord!
Peace, allowing Jesus the rightful place, the ruling place of our heart.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)
Peace is a Person
Christmas. Just the word alone brings a soft glow to the soul. Images of lights, man in a red suit, baby in the manger, faint sounds of jingle bells and shiny ribboned gifts under the tree. Now let’s throw in a cozy fire, soft quilted blanket, cookies and Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey yelling “Mary!” as he runs through the old drafty house, playing on TV. A peaceful experience. Peace.
Christmas peace, Luke 2:14, when the angel appears to the shepherds, he pulls in the backup singers for this declaration, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, on whom his favor rests.” Not only was God gettin some glory, but peace had come to earth. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Sound familiar? “A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
This New Testament word, peace, ‘eirene’ (i-ray-nay) meaning as O. T. shalom does, prosperity, quietness and wholeness. But it literally means ‘to set at one again.’ The word picture is this: picture if you will something of great importance has been toppled over, with it down, effecting life as we know it, chaos, frustration even unrest. When it is erected again, (set at one) then all is well when it is in its place. Remember Adam and Eve sinning in the garden? Thanks guys! The original design, ‘God and man’ had been ‘toppled over.’ Gone were the days of daily walks together in the garden. Jesus came, setting things back in the right place. God and man in right relationship. “The Word became flesh (Jesus) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (emphasis mine) It may not be the Garden, but God again walking with us. Emmanuel, oh 
the ‘with us’ of God! Peace is a Person.
One of my favorite Christmas carols, ‘Hark the Herald Angels sing’, such theology dripping from these song: “Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled.” Jesus, Peace, God back on earth, setting things right again. God and sinners reconciled.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, (set at one again) 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Eph. 2:13-18) Please read that verse again, slowly. We are now back where we were originally designed to be, full access to God, able to come into His presence. Paul declares this point … “Since we have been justified through faith we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 Peace is position
There are times in this God following life that even with our love for Him, our appreciation for all He has and is doing for us, we STILL mess up and for some of us, mess up BIG TIME! As a Christian our life seems full of chaos, frustration and unrest, sometimes that is a direct result of our ‘mess.’
Peace the Person, peace the position is ALWAYS available. John strongly shares “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Often this verse is used as an evangelistic tool, and a GREAT tool for the Holy Spirit, however, John did not write this to the unbeliever, he wrote it to the Christian. Many of us think, well I gave my heart to the Lord at the altar, “I’m good with the Big Guy.” Are we? How is our heart, unrest? There are times we don’t have a clue as to why the unrest. Ask as King David did, “Search me O God…” (Ps. 139:23) Then… listen. Address what He tells us.
As we ‘confess’, we are saying the same thing about it that God does. It actually means to concede, a STRONG word, admitting that you have been defeated and stop trying to win. WOW. Does that define us or what! I am now in full agreement, I align with what You say God. In doing THIS, we are taking what was ‘toppled over’ returning to the original design and bringing Jesus back to His rightful peaceful place. THIS is a daily thing. We mess up, we get cleaned up. Peace restored. Peace is a process.
This Christmas as we sing and sway with the Hoo’s in Hooville, drink another glass of eggnog, rip open the thin paper off our packages, and read PEACE across our Christmas cards, may we pause and consider whole heartedly, we, mankind have the opportunity to be at peace, restored back to God. Yes, Peace had indeed come to earth, and He is KING.
Peace is a Person, a position, a process.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” ~ Heb. 10:24)
Christmas Peace
Christmas. Just the word alone brings a soft glow to the soul. Images of lights, men in red suits, baby in the manger, faint sounds of jingle bells in the distance and wrapped gifts under the tree.
Now let’s throw in a cozy fire, soft quilted blanket, cookies and Bing Crosby on the TV. A peaceful experience.
Peace. How would YOU define peace? When asked a few friends, I got a variety of answers with a common thread. An awareness of hope, rest. The lack of strife, or internal conflict. Peace, “knowing that things will turn out ok.”
Christmas peace, Luke 2:14, when the angel appears to the shepherds, he pulls in the back up singers for this declaration, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward 
men.”
Not only was God gettin some glory, but peace had come to earth. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Sound familiar? “A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
This New Testament word, peace, is ‘eirene’ (i-ray-nay) means as O.T. shalom does, prosperity, quietness and wholeness. But it literally means ‘to set at one again.’ The word picture is this: picture if you will something of great importance has been toppled over, with it down, effecting life as we know it. When it is erected again, (set at one again) then all is well when it is in it’s place. Um … remember Adam and Eve sinned in the garden? Thanks guys! THAT was some major toppling over! Jesus came, setting things back in the right place. God and man in relationship.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, (set at one again) 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Eph. 2:13-18, emphasis mine) Peace
Paul declares this point . “Since we have been justified through faith we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” ~ Romans 5:1
This Christmas as we sing and sway with the Hoo’s in Hooville, drink another glass of eggnog, rip open the thin paper off our packages, may we pause and consider whole heartedly, we, mankind have the opportunity to be at peace, restored back to God. Yes, Peace had indeed come to earth, as a baby lying in a manger.
A peaceful experience. Merry Christmas!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” ~ Heb. 10:24)
Peace or a Pit
behavior?Their pain, jealousy, hatred and insecurity causing them to act out in anger. Pain and anger are so very closely linked, that the dividing line fades when actions are applied. If these words resonate even with some small hint of recognition, than you too can relate to Joseph of the Bible.Recently I was looking at the life of Joseph, the events that groomed him, the people that mocked him, and the God who delivered him. One particular verse danced off the page at me. Genesis 37:4 “When the brothers saw that their father loved him (Joseph) more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”
For many of us, this story brings back mental images of a colorful jacket, jealous brothers, a pit, and some selling of ‘merchandise’, (it’s a great read … Genesis 37) The word used in verse 4, “they … could not speak a kind word to him” seems to get lost in the translation a bit. In the Hebrew the word is ‘shalom’. The brothers due to their jealousy and hatred could not speak peace to Joseph. Peace … health, prosperity, and amazingly so, it can be rendered … ‘safe’.
Noticing on in the story of the brothers turn tormentors, they see Joseph from afar, and their deceitful plan is forever etched in history. First they plan to kill him, nope to harsh, (don’t we ALL rationalize) then they find what was convenient, a deep well. When in haste convenience seems to always trump wisdom! I try to imagine, did they just grab him and throw him in the pit?
It says that they stripped him of his robe, the very thing that ticked them off in the first place. They attempted to remove the evidence of his favored relationship, the gift from their father. I believe this was not done in silence, I bet there was a lot of taunting going on. Rude comments, jesting, a jab here and shove there. Then the final jab, leading to pit dwelling.
Jealousy and hatred withhold peace. May we think of our own lives, are ‘we’ speaking peace to and over others, are we allowing them a safe place in our life? Are we doing our part to help them prosper in their potential, staying healthy … or not? Is there someone who has what we want? Oh, it may not be the enduring love of a father, but perhaps our jealousy stems elsewhere. Are we acting out in pain hurting another due to our upset NEED for something. Are we giving them the gift of peace or throwing them in a pit. (ouch!)
I have heard it said, “Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” It 
actually hurts us in the long run. In short, the story goes on that Joseph becomes very successful while the brothers and family live in feminine, they ultimately end up going to Joseph for their very survival. So, who was it that ended up in the pit? The brothers or Joseph?
The author of Hebrews admonishes us to peace, Hebrews 12:14 “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life … ” (NLT) Yes, work it WILL be, yet peace is what we are called to. Paul states in Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit, the qualities of having Jesus in our life are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. (Gal. 5:22,23) “Oh Jesus, we invite You, we need You, live in and through us, may we be Your ambassadors of peace.”
Peace or a pit?
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” ~ Heb. 10:24)
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