Bible Verse of the Week - Pursue Peace

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I am cheating this week... In weeks past I have written about verses that were near and dear to my heart that day, but this evening, I found a very good piece on peace. (ha, ha!) I have had a rather unpeaceful day today. My 17 month old was very cranky last night, and I had a persistent backache all night long. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. To go along with the sleepless night, both of my boys were very rambunctious today. Then there was the usual monthly drama on Facebook. One family member posting something about another family member instead of confronting them about it. Oh boy. Don't you just LOVE social networking? When the drama on Facebook started, I was close to taking my spiritual armor off and putting on my "Oh-no-you-didn't-just-say-that" armor. But I didn't. I tried to be neutral, and helpful, but it wasn't coming across that way, so I stopped it there.  I said a quick prayer, and decided to step out. My favorite part about the featured verse this week is, "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it". So, my choice to "do good" in this situation, is to say nothing at all. Both parties are now in contact with each other, and hopefully they get everything worked out.


http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/Answers/
Pursue Peace 
By Bayless Conley
"In 1 Peter 3:10-11, Peter provides an important command in our relationships with other people, For "  He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.  Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." 

I want to focus your attention on the last part of verse 11, "Seek peace and pursue it."  This means we are to pursue peace with people. This command is reinforced by the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 12:14, Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. I want you to take note of the first part of that verse,  Pursue peace with….  How many people are we to pursue peace with?  All people.  Does that include your neighbor?  How about your mom?  How about your dad?  How about your kids?  Your boss?  Your relatives?  How about that individual who seems to have a gift for getting on your nerves?  What about those who are rude and obnoxious? We are told that we are to pursue peace with all people. That is not a suggestion.  That is a command.  And that command is clarified further in Romans 14:19, which says, Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

Things that edify (or build up) create peace.  Things that tear down shatter peace.  Keep that in mind next time you are having a heated discussion with your husband or wife.  Ask yourself, "Are the things that I am sharing at this moment building up my partner?  Or, are they tearing them down?" Pursue peace with all people by choosing words and deeds that will build them up."  

I am praying for God to help me bite my tongue, especially in family situations, where it can get sticky quick. This blog is titled "Christ-Like Mommy" and Christ was a peacekeeper, so shouldn't I be as well?

(Did you notice that I posted this as an actual post this instead of on the page? I didn't realize when I made the page that comments were not an option, so from now on, the Bible Verse of the Week will be an actual post, feel free to comment!)