Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Wednesday, February 4, Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (KJV)

"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:19)

"Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep 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. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."" (1 Peter 3:10-11)

When I wake up in the morning and read the passage on which I will contemplate this day and attempt to memorize, many verses "pop out" of the treasure chest of my mind that may or may not pertain to it.

Things we've memorized become "unique" by grasping and relating them to other things. For example, I'm awful at remembering names, and a friend at church told me that his wife remembers them by relating the name to another person or persons she knows who have the same first name. And you know, it works! That bit of advice has helped me immensely, if I take the time to do it.

Same with this. It seems all those pathways that went to the verse or phrase initially "spreads out", so the second thing I do is look up those verses, which in turn either branch out to others or makes me dig deeper into that verse to see others.

What you see above are the first that came to mind. The first is kind of a conclusion to settle an argument between church members over an issue, what we might now call a "gray area". One of those things that some may have reservations, and others may not.

And basically, Paul is saying that if the issue is not heresy or hinders sanctification, make peace and get over it. Let's keep our mind on the mission, and that is to bring the Light of the world to the lost and declare the wonderful fact that those who believe in Jesus will find peace with God.

The beatitude may be taken as a general "peacemaker", but I think that it goes far deeper, especially after reading through the full sermon and the rest of the Gospel. And I think the quotation Peter used in chapter 3 helps us see what real peace is, which was taken from Psalm 34, which begins with: "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, maginify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" (1-3)

Please take the time to read that full psalm this morning, for it really explains what the "peace of God" is. That verse Peter quotes is prefaced with this: "Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." (11)

Jesus never left us with generalities. The world's idea of peace is much different than Christ's peace: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)

The world's peace is transient. The real peace digs in deeply, sent from heaven, and transforms the soul.

With your "causes" and protests you may temporarily shut mouths or intimidate, but all you usually cause is resentment and more fire. Don't waste your time there, spend what little time you have showing them the true Peace of God. And when they turn to Christ, it can make even those who once murdered Christians to become avid preachers of the Most High.

Just ask the Apostle Paul. Seek true peace, and pursue it. Real peace is in Jesus.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps

"Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God." (KJV)

Again, word pictures and characters linking together are what make "lists" easy to remember. I have a saved Indian chief holding a "peace pipe" with a cross on it. That large "five-fingered hand" is passing it on to his "nine" children (of course, it is a bubble pipe in my picture). If you're a sports guy, you know that there are nine players on a baseball team, so if they are all in baseball uniforms you can further reinforce that this is from verse 9. Link that guy to the rest.

My memory character is the restaurant icon Big "Boy", (B or P = 9 phonetically, vowels fillers. I put him in the mix, and they are all sitting on the big green "Mat" for Matthew. That's how I link Matthew 5:9 with the verse.