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| Multnomah Falls, Oregon |
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Peace Lies Within Me
Genesis 13:7-9 - And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
There’s always a way out of every argument. An argument is always formed because two or more people are holding to their right to be right; their right to dominate the situation; their right to be heard. Proverbs 13:10 reads “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom”. Pride is the cause of arguments and strife.
Abraham had a secret, though. He knew that by giving up his right to be heard, giving up his right to hold onto what he wanted and by giving up his right to dominate the situation, he was going to win. Romans 12:18 says that as much as lieth in me, live peaceably with all men….how can I live peaceably if I am holding tightly within myself to self-given rights? How can I live peaceably if I am full of “me”, in other words, how can I live peaceable if I am selfish?
What is the cause of road rage? Anger because someone else is in a space that I want for me, or because someone else isn’t going as fast as I want to go so that they seem to be slowing me down. What is road rage? Road rage is purely pride and selfishness.
Fights between kids generally begin with, “Mine”.
Spiritual maturity begins with the giving up of “mine” and “my rights”. Spiritual maturity starts with letting the Prince of Peace have full reign in my heart, mind, life and voice. It is letting the other person have first choice, even if they choose what seems to be the best. It’s deciding to keep quiet, even if the other person is saying that I am wrong and I know that I am right. It’s giving up my “right” to be first, my “right” to be heard, my “right” to be right and my “right” to dominate the situation….even if I am right. Spiritual maturity is looking forward to eternal blessings, and giving up the temporal.
Lot started with the best and lost it all, but Abraham took the leftovers and received the Eternal Promise. What am I holding on to that will only cause me strife and loss?
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Father, I pray that you would forgive my selfish pride that keeps me holding on to what I can see. Please forgive my need to be right. Abraham had it right. He gave up the right to choose. You told him to go to a land that You would give him, and he trusted You with the choice. Please, Father, help me live in peace with all men…peace in my heart with You and peace in my actions. I love You Lord, please help me love You more. Amen
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