How to Make Peace with Your Neighbor

Sometimes I struggle with living peaceably with people. I want to be in control and I want my neighbor to do things the way I like them done. It may be a personality issue. Sometimes our neighbor is downright disrespectful to me. We disagree strongly.

In 1Corinthians 6:7 NKJV God says, “Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” I’m not always willing to overlook my rights. I think it’s my duty to see that the right thing is done so I stand my ground and make an enemy.

Jacob did a good thing in bringing gifts to his brother. The gesture softened Esau’s heart toward Jacob. In this way he showed his brother that he came as a friend. I believe it also proved to Esau that his brother was sorry that he had cheated him of his rights years ago.

Esau also wanted to make peace. He offered his home as a sanctuary to Jacob and his family. He was ready to leave his servants behind to help Jacob and his group make their way safely to Esau’s home.

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Romans 12:18 NKJV

To Share with Your Children:

Hockey is a big thing in our country, Canada. I love to watch The Flames, our city’s team play, but I hate the violence of players beating up on each other even if everyone thinks that needs to be a part of the game.

The Bible teaches we are to live at peace with others as much as possible. Sometimes it’s impossible, as when someone hurts you. You need to tell someone and hold that person who hurt you accountable. But usually we make an enemy over lesser things.

The Bible also teaches that we are to treat others as we want them to treat us. Next time someone offends you or hurts your feelings or doesn’t co-operate with you, forgive them.

Remember we are all different. That means we think differently too. Maybe you are reading too much into their negative action and they are just selfish or insensitive and don’t mean to offend you. If you give them the benefit of a doubt and treat them kindly then next time you mess up they probably will treat you the same way.

“Do you want more and more of God’s kindness and peace? Then learn to know him better and better. For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life; he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!” 2 Peter 1: 2 and 3 The Living Bible

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. We will start on Sunday, January 18th and finish Saturday, January 16, 2010. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Day 16: Today read:
Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20

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