Warning! The Gift Of Peace

WARNING? THE GIFT OF PEACE

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

Let us start with the premise that PEACE IS A CHOICE. There are many that do not live in a “HAPPY HOUSE.” They do not have peace and they will destroy your peace. DO NOT ALLOW THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHERS TO DESTROY YOUR INNER PEACE. To really understand PEACE we must acknowledge there is a real danger of allowing OTHERS TO KILL OUR PEACE.

WARNING, WARNING… REMEMBER THE SHOW LOST IN SPACE? THERE WAS A ROBOT. ROBOT MODEL B-9, CLASS M-3, SOME CALLED THE ROBOT RODNEY. RODNEY WAS PROGRAMED TO PROTECT THE FAMILY. HE COULD SENSE DANGER… THE ROBOT SAID: DANGER WILL ROBINSON! WARNING, WARNING, DANGER, DANGER…

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

The Holy Spirit functions as a greater warner of danger. This is a strong warning… Not everyone is your friend and wants the best for you. There are selfish people that will bring harm to you. AVOID THEM.

Romans 16:17 (NLT2) And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

MY POISON IVY THEORY.

My second son was terribly allergic to poison ivy. We had rabbits and would supplement their diet by pulling grass for them. Several years my young son had poison ivy so bad. We would try to treat him but it always got worse until we had the expense of the doctor and a shot. The third year I took my son to the fence row and taught him how to identify poison ivy and poison oak. He learned to guard himself and watch out.

We must apply this principle to our spiritual life. We must flee temptation. We must learned to avoid even the appearance of sin. Have no confidence in the flesh. AVOID EVIL AT ALL COST.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

MANY GROW TOXIC BEHAVIOR. SOAP OPERA ATTITUDES… DRAMA QUEEN LIFE STYLES ARE LEARNED BEHAVIORS… DO YOU KNOW A PERSON THAT LOVES TO STIR UP MESSES.

**WHAT IS A DRAMA QUEEN? a complainer, controlling, over-react, very critical, a type of person live life on a roller coaster, an explosive attitude, unstable, a person that habitually responds to situations in a melodramatic way, TO BLOW THINGS OUT OF PROPORTION, gossiper, play the blame game, ultimatums, tells everything they know, DANGER!

TODAY MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO THRIVE ON DRAMA. They are worriers, fearful, have anxiety, instable. DRAMA QUEENS LOVE MANIPULATION OF OTHERS. DRAMA QUEENS SEEM TO LOVE ATTENTION. DRAMA QUEEN WILL KILL YOUR PEACE.

WE BLAME OTHERS FOR THE WAY WE ARE…? WE SELDOM ACCEPT WE ARE THE PRODUCT OF CHOICES… WHAT CAUSES FIGHTS, FUSSES, QUARRELS? WHAT GIVES BIRTH TO DRAMA QUEENS CHECK THE MOTIVES?

James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

WARNING, WARNING… DANGER… IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIVE SO WRAPPED UP IN DRAMA WE REFUSE THE GIFT OF PEACE… QUIT PLAYING DRAMA GAMES…

**GIFT: freely given, not earned or merited, a thing given willingly without payment, to transfer something without the expectation of payment.

**PEACE: freedom from turmoil, no disturbance, tranquility, no war, friendship, harmony, stress free, secure, calm, no fighting, no arguing, no fussing.

**INNER PEACE: peace of mind, spiritual calmness, real-lasting –genuine peace…

BELIEVERS MUST NEVER SURRENDER --- WE MUST NEVER SUCCUMB TO WORRY, FEAR AND PROBLEMS…THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF PEACE: EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL. JESUS CLEARLY TAUGHT THE PEACE THAT WAS IN HIM, HE WOULD FREELY GIVE TO US SO WE COULD HAVE FAITH AND CONFIDENCE IN HIM. IN THIS PEACE JESUS PROMISES US REST.

BUT TO HAVE PEACE WE MUST BE STRONG, COURAGEOUS.

Jesus said: That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught. TRUST!

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.