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March 28, 2014

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God's Promises, Peace of God

What is Peace?

I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid. [John 14:27 (NCV)]

Peace is more than the absence of armed or verbal conflict. We’ve all been in an unpleasant situation where there were no weapons used or harsh words spoken and yet it clearly was not peaceful. Peace is harmony. The “peace” of which Jesus speaks, however, is more than the absence of discord or quarrels. The peace of God isn’t just getting along with other people and thinking good thoughts. It comes from knowing our loving God is firmly in control and that we have a place in Christ’s kingdom. When we have the peace of God, no matter what the outward circumstances, we find not just harmony but also confidence, safety, tranquility, comfort, and joy.

Now may the Lord of peace give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. [2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NCV)]

 

 

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March 27, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Patience & Perseverance, Prayer

We Have Hope Because We Have Him!

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. [Romans 12:12 (NLT)]

Oh Lord, when we’re tempted to give up, please remind us instead to look up! Lift our eyes off our problems and up to you: our source of hope, strength and safety.

You can have hope without faith, but you cannot have faith without hope! [Randy Furco]

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March 26, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Love & Works, Temptation & Sin, Today: Make it Count

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. [Galatians 6:7 (NLT)]

This verse from Galatians makes me think of the character Larry David plays in the HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Easily aggravated by the pettiest of annoyances, he inappropriately expresses his irritation at the drop of a hat. He can make a molehill into a mountain and will stop at nothing to prove his point. Having no filter and little consideration or compassion for others, he manages to aggravate and alienate nearly everyone around him. Inevitably, the person he has offended is exactly the person from whom he needs something later in the episode. That kind of behavior may make for good comedy but it is not the way to live our lives. What we sow in our actions, we will reap. Just as good deeds can bring a harvest of blessings, bad conduct brings a harvest of weeds. Let’s never get tired of doing what is generous, kind and good.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [Galatians 6:8-9 (NLT)]

 

         

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March 25, 2014

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God's Plan, Wisdom & Guidance

Who’s the Boss?

God’s nonsense is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. [1 Corinthians 1:25 (GW)]

Thank you for reminding us that we’re not the ones with the answers, Lord; it is you. Our very best plans are nothing when compared with yours. Let us not forget that no matter how hard we try to make our plans successful, unless they are also part of your design, our plans will fail. Truly, what you want for us is infinitely wiser and better than anything we could conceive of by ourselves. You’re the boss!

”My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” declares the Lord. “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9 (GW)]

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March 24, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Money & Wealth, Obedience

What Does God Want from Us?

What should I bring when I come to the Lord’s presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven? [Micah 6:6a (GW)]

In spite of all the rules regarding temple offerings in The Old Testament, the sacrifices of calves, oil or grain were hardly the most important thing in the Jews’ relationship with God. I’m not sure God is all that impressed today when we “sacrifice” (often reluctantly) our time, talents or money to the church today. There is only one sacrifice He really wants at His altar: a living sacrifice of our hearts, souls and minds.

Your mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God. [Micah 6:8 (GW)]

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. [Romans 12:1a (GW)]

 

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March 23, 2014

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Thanks & Praise

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Greatness, power, splendor, glory, and majesty are yours, Lord, because everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours, Lord, and you are honored as head of all things. [1 Chronicles 29:11 (GW)]

Can you hear us, Lord? We are singing your praises from the bottom of our hearts!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
[“Doxology,” words by Thomas Ken (1674)]