[January 16, 2024] Today, more than ever, peace and unity are so important because we have an enemy who targets our families and relationships and brings division. Adversity comes. Disagreements happen. We have to do whatever we can to stand together. One of the most powerful ways you can strengthen your relationships is by being a peacemaker.
“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18, NLT).
Think about a campfire. It can only burn as long as someone is throwing logs on it. Maybe you feel as though you have a fire of strife and confusion in your home or in your workplace. If you stay focused on your differences, there is going to be division. However, if you change your focus and look for the common ground of peace, you can bring harmony into your relationships again. If you ask God to help you be a peacemaker, if you stop throwing logs on the fire, He will supernaturally cause that fire to be extinguished. When we dwell together in unity, we honor God and open the door for His hand of blessing in every area of our lives.
A few things to think about.
- Seek peace, not victory
- Strive to be the peacemaker and all will look up to you.
- Do not obliterate your enemy. You will have to live with them. Sometimes victory leads to polarization. And that is no good.
- Sustainable Peace is the goal.
Turning the other cheek is a Biblical principle from the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:9). What did Jesus mean by turn the other cheek?
- It means defend yourself minimally, not overwhelmingly.
- It means that that one should not resist evil and insult, but to love and forgive the wrongs of the others.
- It means as Jesus was persecuted, his followers will also be persecuted. But we should not do evil or retaliate.
In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups.
However, Jesus taught us this lesson on understanding true peace:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jesus in John 14:28)
So, true peace is internal. Therefore, external things such as jobs, neighbors, family, money, healthcare will not upset our peace. We will remain calm in the mist of the storm because of Jesus. He is our peace. The Bible call him the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Again, one of the most powerful ways you can strengthen your relationships, internally and externally, is by being a peacemaker.
Jesus has already commanded the blessing of a peacemaker upon his believers saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). What a blessing!
Be a child of God, be a peacemaker.
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You da man, Eddie.
Mr. Eddie, well written and thoughtful.
Thank You Eddie!
Your post is print and frame worthy.
I Love it!
Bob, yes, Eddie did a great job….
Bob and Gen. S, thanks ….. Mr. Gilliam once again has delivered on an inspirational message.
Tks my brother from another mother. Prayer for you and family.
My friend Bob thanks for telling me about Gen Douglas Satterfield blog last year. It’s really nice. He’s doing great 👍
May God’s peace radiate light into our heart.
I believe that God’s peace is food for my soul. May peace be the pathway that shows God love for us.
I accept God’s peace as he directs my steps .
Helen Hinton
Thank my friend and neighbor grown up. Welcome to the blog. Stay safe and focus. I will be going home tomorrow Thursday 18th January for a few days.
I believe that God’s peace is food for my soul. May peace be the pathway that shows God love for us.
I accept God’s peace as he directs my steps .
Helen Hinton
May peace be the pathway that shows God love for us.
I accept God’s peace as he directs my steps .
Helen Hinton
Special thanks to my friend Gen Douglas Satterfield for allowing me to be a guest writer for his blog. Never physically met General Satterfield and him allowing me to do this for him speak high value. I didn’t take it lightly. With God help I get excited sharing words of wisdom and encouragement to you the bloggers.
Yep, he’s a good guy.
Gen. Satterfield is fortunate to have such a friend as Mr. Gilliam. And I’m happy to read these articles by such a religious man. This is how all of us can learn. BTW, in Gen. Satterfield’s book “55 rules for a good life,” he discusses the importance of FAITH. Go there and get his book and leave an honest review. Just go to Amazon where you can find it. Thank you all and special thanks to Mr. Gilliam.
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
Best book on being a better person ever written.
Oh yes what a wonderful gift of peace JESUS gave to us his body,his church. I had to read all this and take it to heart so my spirit can make it to Heaven. Hallelujah. Thank you my 1st cousin Eddie Gilliam for sharing. Bless the author of the book and you 1st cousin 🙌🙏
Welcome to the blog cuz. You can read daily awesome articles from my friend Gen Douglas Satterfield the author of the blog..stay safe and focus. Pray with aunt Virginia and the family.
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for giving us Mr. Eddie Gilliam, a true man of God and a man who has walked the battlefields of our world and has proven himself worthy in the sight of man and, more importantly, in the sight of our savior God. Bless you all.
Tks for your comments. It’s my pleasure to be a peacemaker and share my article with the family
2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
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God be with you all and He will walk with you everywhere you may go. So be the Peacemaker that Mr. G. forthrightly tells us about in this article. Be the PEACEMAKER.
🙏 The Peacemaker 🙏
Live among those who you walk with and be the one who desires peace over victory because victory may create extreme animosity. There is no substitute for peace, as long as it is maintained legitimately because everyone strives toward the good.
Excellent comment. Toad
BEST …….. “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18, NLT).
Tks for your comments. It’s my pleasure to be a peacemaker and share my article with the family
God Bless, Mr. Eddie Gilliam and General Doug Satterfield.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
The peacemaker. Brilliant. ✌️
I agree, Mr. Gilliam has once again given us something to think about. For example, he lists 4 things to think about and they are indeed worthy:
1. Seek peace, not victory
2. Strive to be the peacemaker and all will look up to you.
3. Do not obliterate your enemy. You will have to live with them. Sometimes victory leads to polarization. And that is no good.
4. Sustainable Peace is the goal.
Yep, one of the best parts of the article. While I’m always waiting on Gen. Satterfield’s letters to his granddaughter, I’m also anticipating Mr. Gilliam’s religious articles that clearly impact what we do every day in our lives. As he said in the past, family is top importance, as well as getting along with others. ❤ Love thy neighbor.
Indeed, the best part.
Powerful, thank you Eddie for another inspiring article.