Further Study:
Ps. 4:3, 119:165, Isa. 26:3, Rom. 8:6, Phil. 4:7.“Shortly before His crucifixion Christ had bequeathed to His disciples a legacy of peace. ‘Peace I leave with you,’ He said, ‘My peace I give unto you: not as the worldgiveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ John 14:27. This peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 84.
“Strife for the supremacy makes manifest a spirit that, if cherished, will eventually shut out from the kingdom of God those who cherish it. The peace of Christ cannot dwell in the mind and heart of a workman who criticizes and finds fault with another workman simply because the other does not practice the methods he thinks best, or because he feels that he is not appreciated. The Lord never blesses him who criticizes and accuses his brethren, for this is Satan’s work. Manuscript 21, 1894.”—Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 102.
Discussion Questions:
What are ways you can work in your local church to help keep peace among members when inevitable tensions and disagreements arise? 
God's Man
by MAYRA CASTANEDA
I grew up in a family that considered itself Christian, but we seldom attended church. When I was 19,1 met a young man who was very different from most men I knew.
I had seen him passing my house from time to time, sometimes waving. Then one day he stopped to talk. His name was David, and he said he was a Seventh-day Adventist. I had heard of Adventists, but I knew nothing about their beliefs. David asked me whether I would like to know more about God.
"I don't believe in God," I said. "He is an invention of people who needed a crutch in life." I felt confident in my answer because I had visited a number of churches in the area, and they all seemed phony.
David was polite but persistent, and while still standing outside my house, we began talking about God. I asked many questions about God and science and was impressed that each of his answers was backed up with Bible texts.
David returned often, but my father wouldn't let him inside the house, so we sat outside. David shared his faith and loved Bible texts, and I asked questions. We became friends, and soon I became convinced that God was real and that David knew Him personally. During one of David's visits I accepted Jesus as my Savior.
My parents noticed I was changing, that I was reading my Bible and praying. My father warned me about getting serious with a man who had a strange religion.
Whenever we were together, our conversations always turned to God, for God was such an important part of David's life. He invited me to some evangelistic meetings at his church. I went when I could and realized that the Adventist Church was where I belonged. It was real; the people were real; their faith was real. I told David that I wanted to become an Adventist. We already had studied the doctrines, so one Sabbath I slipped away to church and was baptized.
When my father learned I had been baptized, he told me to leave home. I was stunned. I stayed with my grandmother until my parents gave her trouble and I had to find another place to live.
I don't regret my decision to follow Christ, even though my parents won't let me near my sister for fear I'll contaminate her. And I probably would.
Please pray that my family's hearts will be softened and that they will accept Jesus into their lives. And thank you for supporting mission, which made it possible for me to meet Christ.
MAYRA CASTANEDA lives in Oaxaca [whah-HAH-kah], Mexico.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness.
email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org
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