The power we have when we are peaceful

We are going to look at three of the beatitudes from the gospel of Matthew. There are at least three we will pay particular attention to and discuss in length. The reason for tonight’s discussion is due to the historic week which unfolded before the world in the streets of Cairo, Egypt. A non-violent youth movement of protest which called for a change finally came to fruition ending a thirty year theocracy. We celebrate with our Muslim brothers in their momentous occasion. Yes, you heard me correctly; I did address the Muslims as our brothers. For all you bible scholars, God doesn’t make a distinction or separation of faith as we do. Scriptures teaches us in Ephesians Chapter 4, “to worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of spirit, in the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit, just as were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. “It is with those scriptures I can boldly call us as one. Furthermore, we also should have the understanding that regardless of our separate classes and many times divisive and separate faiths; despite all that God IS LOVE, HE IS PEACE, and most of all GOD IS UNITY. The Beatitudes will be our backdrop and foundation for discussion, “Blessed are those who are poor in spirit”. Thirty years of oppression and yet they were blessed in the end. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled”. And they were. It started small, some lives lost but they dug in for 18 days; righteousness and liberation was what they got. Finally, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God”. This was peaceful from the start. Tonight I look forward to a spirited discussion as we discuss how powerful and more effective we are when we are peaceful.