Saturday, July 19, 2014

The Shoes of Peace

The Shoes of Peace and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace....Ephesians 6:15

The Gospel of Peace Shoes



How do you prepare your feet with the Gospel of Peace?! Well, that may sound a little confusing---but this part of the armor is also very necessary. Many times in scripture the Gospel, or "good news" or "glad tidings" is called the Gospel of Peace. Most of our world today is at war: we are at war with other nations, we are at war with our family members and friends, we are at war with those we work with and go to school with and way too often, we are even at war with ourselves. The reason? Our heart wars against God and His Peace.

When we are at one with God, we are in perfect peace: the Bible describes it as a peace that passes All understanding. This is because most people have no peace: they keep trying to do things and get things that they think will give them peace. As soon as they have or do those things they find they are still not at peace: they need something new. That can go on forever. The peace that Jesus brings though is a peace inside: a peace with God, because all your sins are forgiven and because He has made you right with God: even when you are not good or right, He has paid the price for it. That peace for us is always moments away. Sometimes people are surprised at the way Christians seem very calm during hard times and troubles. They may cry, or react strongly at first, but then the 'peace that passes all understanding' gives them a strength beyond their own to get through.

 This great Peace is there because God indwells us through the Holy Spirit. We may have to learn to walk in that Peace, and to return to it in trouble, but it is ours. God started teaching about Peace and Rest even in the first few days of the world: when He was finished with His wondrous creation, He made the seventh Day just to Rest. The Hebrew word 'Shalom' means Peace, the word for that seventh day , Sabbath, or "Shabbat" means peace. From the beginning, He showed that the completion and end of His Work would be Rest and Peace, and that it would be of Him. We could never earn it.

 When Jesus came, He made peace on the Cross between God and Man: a peace that would last forever in Eternal Life. When we believe: He is our peace. That peace lives in us and is always available to us, although we may sometimes walk away from it. Sin in our lives brings unrest and a lack of peace. Our peace with God and our rest in Him was bought for us with a great and terrible price: Jesus paid that price with His suffering because He loved us. When we feel loved, we are at Peace. We can give His Peace to others in many ways: we can put on those shoes with the 'preparation of the Gospel of Peace" by 'walking' in that Peace and in God's Way. We can share His Peace by sharing the Gospel, and by being peaceful in our way of dealing with others.

 Some practical suggestions? Think carefully before speaking and when someone meets us with anger, take a deep breath and instead of arguing or shouting back, respond with an acknowledgement of their anger. You might say, "you are very angry". This shows you recognize how they feel and it stops the hurt and anger from gaining control. As Christians, we can listen and pray: the Holy Spirit of Peace is always there for us when we are not peaceful: pray and He will bring peace. This very important piece of armor teaches us one important lesson: Walk in Peace. Share the Gospel of Peace. :How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of those that bear glad tidings......

Feet of Peace

A. Stand on the Promise of Peace.
B. Study in the New Testament about Rest & Peace.
C. Meditate on Jesus, our Rest & Peace.
D. Forgive & Make up with those you are at odds with, especially at home and in the Church
E. Be a peaceful person: Do not react with anger, even when angrily attacked. "A soft answer turneth away wrath
F. Read the Psalms and other 'peaceful' passages in the Bible.
G. Pray for Peace.
H. Pray for the Peace of others, share the Gospel of Peace
I. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
j. Pray for the Peace of your Church and home.
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