Peace

May 12th – Isaiah 65:17

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Isaiah 65:17

When my Grandma was diagnosed with dementia, it was painful to watch as she tried to hold on to precious memories. Memories can be both a blessing and a curse. Some fill our hearts with joy while others bring tears to our eyes. One day God promises to create a new heaven and a new earth. And in this new reality, the painful experiences and memories of the past will no longer have any power over us. The memories that we cherish will still remain. But all things, including memories, that brought us pain and suffering will be no more. Instead we will dwell with the Lord forever in an eternity filled with joy, peace, and harmony. And our old way of thinking and behaving will be left behind. Because of His great love and mercy, God offers us a clean slate and a fresh start. One where past mistakes and wrongdoings can be forgotten and forgiven, allowing for a new future. A future that is free from the pains and sorrows of the past and filled with the blessings of His grace and love.

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April 25th – Psalm 146:1

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Psalm 146:1

Many are the reasons to give God the glory. Creator and Ruler of all things, He champions the weak, fathers the orphans, heals the afflicted, and blesses all who put their hope in Him. Everyday there are reasons to give thanks to the Lord. And God covets the praise of His people. But not for His benefit. For ours. Because I know for me, no matter how low I feel or bad the circumstance, nothing soothes my soul like giving glory to God. It brings peace to my troubled mind. Joy to my hurting heart. And brings me close to my Abba, Father, who welcomes me with open arms of love. Most of all praising the Lord humbles me. For it reminds me of how much I fail God daily and still somehow, He wants me anyway. How could such an amazing and unmerited love not make my heart burst with songs of worship and thanksgiving!

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March 31st – James 5:17

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James 5:17

Clergyman Henry Ward Beecher once said, “The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” No matter our circumstances, there is always something to be thankful for. From each breath we take to every moment in between, everything good thing in our lives is a blessing from God. For He is the Creator of the universe, who is the source of all good and perfect gifts. And as such, whether we have little or much, our hearts should be overflowing with gratitude. Because even though we might not have everything we want, our Heavenly Father promises that when we first seek His kingdom, to give us everything we need. (Matt. 6:32-33) And when we focus on the good things we have from God, we can cultivate spirits of happiness, contentment, peace, and thankfulness.

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February 28th – Galatians 5:26

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Galatians 5:26 

Society today glorifies wealth, fame, power, and aggression above all else. This makes it a real challenge for Christians to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. For temptation is everywhere we turn. And the sins of conceit, provoking others, and envy, are easily given in to. Especially when we ourselves are hurting, suffering or wanting. But we can guard ourselves against these negative attitudes by instead cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Fruits including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And fruits that keep our focus off ourselves, and our own desires. Putting them instead where they belong, on God and others. Allowing us not only to live in love, joy, and peace, but build healthy relationships with others and most of all, honor God.

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January 31st – Matthew 9:9

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Matthew 9:9

Each of the men Jesus called to be disciples, never once hesitated to follow Him. They didn’t take time to try and clean up their lives. They didn’t take time to wean themselves off the trappings of the world. And they didn’t take time to let go of the people and things of the past for a new and better future. Jesus met them and wanted them right where they were, and in a leap of faith, they answered His call straight away and began a life dedicated to the Lord. Just as He called the disciples, Jesus also calls each of us. “Follow Me!”, cries the Lord. “Follow Me and I’ll give you heavenly riches greater than the world could ever offer. Follow Me and let My love fill your hearts with a peace and joy that can never be shaken. Follow Me and I’ll give You eternal life purchased with My own precious blood. Follow Me, and help save the world!”

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January 9th – Psalm 61:2

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Psalm 61:2

When storms rage and the flood waters rise, the wisest advice is always to seek higher ground. Because the higher we climb, the more distance we put between us and the howling winds, the safer we become. And there’s no safer place to be than sheltered in the tent of the Lord. During times when we feel overwhelmed, we have the privilege of sheltering in the refuge of God. With everything happening in the world today, it’s easy for our hearts to become overwhelmed. And although we have no control over what happens around us, we can control how we react. We can either cower and hide, living a life of worry and fear. Or we can trust in God who promises that those who put their faith in Him and not the world, can dwell forever in His fortress of peace and joy.

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December 15th – 2 Peter 3:9

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2 Peter 3:9

Because God takes no pleasure in the destruction of His children, He implores each of us to turn away from our wickedness; crying, “Repent and Live!” But repentance isn’t easy, and if you’re like me, it’s usually two steps forward, one step back. God knows and understands our weakness. All He cares about is that we keep trying, and trust in Him to change the wickedness of our hearts. That means not just confessing and apologizing for our transgressions, but actually turning aside from that sin. And believing that change will come through the strength of Jesus (Phil. 4:13) Unrepentant sin brings with it a host of consequences. Consequences God wants to spare His children. Which is why His own heart aches for the wicked to turn aside from the path of sin leading to death, and back to Him and everlasting life. Gods wants all His children to live eternally by His side, and to experience the perfect, love, joy, and peace that He alone can give!

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December 6th – Matthew 24:13

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Matthew 24:13

One of the things I love most about God is His great love for us. There is nothing we can do, buy, or earn to climb our way to the Father. So He climbed down to us. Our mighty King traded His majestic throne in heaven for a bed of wood and hay. The Lamb of God came as a humble, helpless child, but the Lion of Judah will return as our conquering King and Ruler of all. Jesus made it clear that the life of a Christian will be filled with trials, persecution, and peril. Yet for those who stand strong in their faith until the end, no matter the circumstances, God promises deliverance from their enemies. And even better, a life spent by His side filled with eternal love and peace. As we bring this turbulent year to a close, the holiday season is a much needed time of joy, thankfulness, and festivities. And while we celebrate the glorious birth of our Savior, it is also the perfect time to celebrate His promise to save all who persevere!

 

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November 17th – Revelation 14:6

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Revelation14:6

I am thankful Thant God gives everyone an opportunity to receive the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ 

One of the most loving things God does is not give up on us. For He is the God of second, third, and fourth chances. So much so, He gives us ample opportunity to hear and receive the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. You’d think after the rapture, when believers are taken from the earth, God would say, “That’s it. You had a chance. Now suffer the consequences.” But our Heavenly Father wishes for none to perish. And so even during the tribulation, God sends an angel to proclaim the Good News. Everyone on the earth will hear the only message that provides eternal life. Because of His great love, God gives every person one last opportunity to choose life over death. To turn to the Lord and experience a peace, joy, and perfect love for eternity. Afterwards, there will be no more excuses other than a hardened heart. But sadly, because they love sin more than God, some will still reject the gospel, choosing death and destruction.

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November 10th – John 1:14

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John 1:14

I’m thankful Jesus left His heavenly throne to become man

From the beginning it was God’s plan to establish a way for us to fellowship with Him forever.  And so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, “The Word of Life” in the flesh. As God’s Son, Jesus is heir to everything. (Heb.1:2) Yet in a perfect display of humility and obedience, Jesus became a man, and for a little while becoming, “lower than the angels…because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Heb. 2:9) Christ willingly left His glorious throne in heaven and became human. He did this out His great love for both us and the Father. And to save us, He had to become one of us. The consequence of sin is death. But Christ in His beautiful love, became our substitute paying the sin debt we owe and giving His sinless life for our sin filled ones. And through His blood we now can have an intimate, unbreakable relationship with God.

November 10th – John 1:14 Read More »