A Different Kind of Peace

Matthew 10:34-37

"Don't think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring a sword. I have come to make this happen: 'The people in a person's own family will be his enemies. A son will be against his father. A daughter will be against her mother. A daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law.' Any person that loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not good enough to follow me. Any person who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not good enough to follow me." (ERV) Full Text

Key Thought

Sometimes Jesus' words to us are not soft words. Jesus does bring peace, but it is not the kind of peace that is an absence of decisions, conflict, or hardship. His presence demands that we either choose him as Lord or reject him entirely. He will allow us no middle ground and no rival for our hearts. Jesus wants us to know that we will have some family members who will choose to not follow and not believe in him. In fact, some may even have family members that give them up to authorities to spare themselves. For times such as this, we must commit our hearts to follow the Lord!

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the courage and soul to choose to place Jesus as the central controlling relationship in my life. I want to honor him and serve him with a loyalty that has no rival. Please give me an undivided heart and a spirit of faithfulness. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray. Amen.

Source:  http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0510-wjd.html

Posted by: Keturah

Additional Reading

John16:33                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 14:27
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.
John 15:18
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
Acts 14:22
Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.