We are well in the swing of the Christmas season.  For many, that means a daily crush of gift buying, holiday parties, Christmas cards, the end of the school semester and on and on. It’s all part of that relentless rush of life, but God intends for us to honor the Sabbath and to trust Him with our time – it’s His gift to us. We must allow God to guide us in incorporating rest into our lives intentionally. This includes seeking His presence, rejuvenating relationships, and finding mental and emotional rest. Lionshare’s founder and president Dave Buehring preached this sermon at Northway Christian Community in Pittsburgh on how God wants us to live and lead in peace, joy, and health, with a deep sense of His presence and purpose in our lives.

Books mentioned:
“Margin” by Dr. Richard Swenson
“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

Being known as a peacemaker is a profound honor in heaven, signifying a threat to evil and earning the proud recognition of God as His son or daughter. We are not supposed to be the cause of conflict. Peacemaking requires a meek, merciful, and pure heart that prioritizes God’s glory and the well-being of His people over selfish concerns or earthly prestige. Jesus concludes the Beatitudes by moving from peacemaking to persecution; from reconciling relationships to experiencing rejection and hostility. Blessed are the persecuted for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says the pure in heart will see God, but purity seems like a very high bar. We know God sees into our hearts because it reflects the “real me” and the “real you.”

We don’t think much about mercy until we need it.  We don’t want to suffer the consequences when we have wronged someone.  But when the shoe is on the other foot, we realize that it is far more satisfying to default to revenge and displays of strength.  Jesus calls us to be merciful though.  Will we obey?

If someone asked you what you hunger for, what would be your answer? Happiness? Time? Comfort? Healthy relationships? Financial security? Peace? Jesus tells us that we are blessed if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  It’s that piece of us that is bothered by injustice, desires strong character and conduct and longs to be in a right relationship with God.  When we pursue those things, we will move from feeling empty to being satisfied.