Pease on Earth

Caught your attention! What I meant to say - Jesus is our peace. He told us, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, John 14:27. Every day we face conditions that would steal our peace. Natural disasters, storms, floods, tornadoes, economic turns, stock market declines, unemployment, violent crimes, child abuse, drug abuse, sexual abuse – we are bombarded by the things of this world. We would live in constant fear if we thought of all that could happen to us.

Legislation, law treaties, reforms, social actions, cease fires … these can’t give us peace. They may promise a temporary rest from troubles, but only God can give a supernatural assurance that calms our fears for living in the present and our hopes for tomorrow. In Him we don’t have to be afraid. His peace is directly from the Father, and he freely gives it to us.

 

     We pray for Peace on Earth. We ask, Oh Lord, that Your Spirit shine through us, as we reach out, as we care for each other and for those who do not know. Help us to share Your peace and bring good to the lives of others. Let us speak “peace be still” to their troubled hearts, to their stormy lives. Bless us with inner peace as we commit our anxieties to You. Bless us, Lord, and let us also be blessings to others. Amen.

 

ONE

Unity. We live in a world that is falling apart at the seams…torn apart because of sin. How long will it take before we bind as one and make an alteration in the tear? Will it take more violence in our schools, more broken marriages, or more immoral lies on television? What are we going to do today that is going to make a difference? Will it take more love for others, more touching the needs of the poor, or more truth about Jesus? And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  -Colossians 3:14.

Our faith in Jesus binds us in strength to do the impossible. But it is our choice to do it. We can make a difference in this fallen world if we stand as one in Christ. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 15:5.

 

Lord,

     I know I am only one person and without You I can not do anything. Without You, Jesus, I wouldn’t want to do anything. But You are with me and call me Your precious child. With that promise, give me the wisdom to unite my community and unbelievers as one in knowing Your forgiving grace. Give me the words, Your words, that will make a difference in this world and that I may be able to help the poor, feed the hungry, and care for the sick. Let my hands be Your hands. I love You. Amen.

 

 

Real World

The real world. Thousands accepting Christ, but kids continue to die in our schools. Churches keep growing, but so does crime. Lives are changing, but souls are still lost. This is the real world between light and darkness. The choices we make impact others. Mature Christians must continue to see the world as it is and not filter out the reality through rose colored glasses. We can’t ignore or bury what is happening around us. The reality is…we live in a fallen world, a world full of sin. But we must keep in mind, God’s dominion will rule in righteousness. Therefore, we must take our place, make our choices and stand for Christ. Only then will our reality change….The reality, however, is found in Christ. -Colossians 2:17.

 

     Dear Jesus, open my eyes to see the real problems of the world. Let me be the one to do something about it.                       

 

 

Wasting Time

So much time is wasted away by searching for what will never make us happy or fulfilled. We look toward others to fill hollow spaces of loneliness and fill our lives with worthless materialism. And as the worldly search continues with new friends, new toys and adventures, our lives are still empty.

The time will come when you make the decision to set your eyes upon Jesus and seek His ways. Be assured. He will be waiting for you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be open. -Matthew 7: 7-8.

Knowing Jesus is the only One who can fulfill the needs in your life will bring great joy and peace. Once you accept His love, your worldly possessions will become meaningless. Your family, friends, opportunities, and toys will have a different light. They will become blessings instead of a temporary fix that fills an empty void.

 

 

 

Doing Something When You’re Doing Nothing

What is the price you pay for doing absolutely nothing? Some may say nothing, while others may say everything. Have you ever wanted to take a break and do absolutely nothing? Impossible. Even when you are doing nothing, you are doing something. But there is one nothing you have nothing to do about. That nothing is assurance. …by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…-2 Timothy 1:8-9. Isn’t it great to have the assurance in doing absolutely nothing!

 

My Dear Jesus,

     Thank You for everything You have done for me and what You are going to do for my life. Thank You for loving us unconditionally and giving up Your life that we may live.  Help me to put You first in my life so I might be Your example when I give to others of my time, love and compassion. Open my eyes to the needs of my family, friends and others who may not know You and put them first before my own needs and wants. Use me to touch others this week unselfishly. Help me, Jesus, to be more like You in every breath that I take.  Amen.

 

 

He is Near

Do you ever wonder if Jesus is near? Does He really hear your prayers? My friend, be assured this day that the Savior of the world is with you all the time. You are the reason He gave up His life. You’re never alone when you face all your trials of life. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good works.  -2 Corinthians 9:8. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18. He is the God of All!

 

Dear Father God,

     I come to you this morning in the name of Your Son, Jesus to thank You for saving my life and giving me the assurance that someday I, too, will be in Your presence. I’m in awe of You and love You with all my heart. Remind me to share Your assurance with others this week. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  Amen.

 

 

Best Friends Forever!

You’ve heard it said before “true friends are forever.” There’s truth in the statement if you think about it. Truth is the Lord’s Word and when you are true to Christ, you will live forever. So if Christ is the center of the friendship, then true friends are forever!  Without the word true, the friendship would be meaningless.

Friendships need to grow in Jesus selflessly together and accept each other’s needs, differences, and gifts. In the Bible there’s an amazing story about two young men’s devoted friendship. Jonathan was David’s very best friend, but he was also King Saul’s son, and the king wanted the future king David killed.

Jonathan knew his father’s plans and went to David. “My father wants to kill you. Guard yourself until morning, and keep yourself well hidden. I will then speak to my father, the king, in your honor.”

King Saul was furious at his son and hurled a spear at Jonathan intending to kill him. But Jonathan continued to protect his best friend even at the cost of his own life. True friends are forever. Can you think of another man who protected you at the cost of His life? Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:14.

 

 

Add the Two

With His Word, God spoke life and being into the world. With our word, we can also speak life and our eternal salvation into being. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, His death and resurrection, our salvation from sin and everlasting condemnation is assured. Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey Him. What power God has put into the spoken word! His and ours! If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. -Romans 10:9. Speaking + believing = Salvation.

Sharing this equation should become our spiritual ambition. With our word, we can make a difference in the eternal destination of friends, family, co-workers, neighbors – and the folks we meet when we’re out and about. Our words + His Words = changed lives.

 

Lord,

     You have made a way for us. Our salvation can be described in four words: sin, cross, faith, and life. We know that all have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We know that Christ Himself bore our sins in His own body on the cross. We know that we are saved by grace through faith. And we know that anyone who accepts the Son has life. In Christ we have our sins forgiven. In Christ we have eternal life. We’re so thankful, Lord, for what You have done for us! The way of salvation, the way of escape, the way of true life. May we always be mindful of sharing the salvation story! Amen.

 

The Big Showdown!

Well, the big showdown finally arrived. Elijah, God’s prophet, challenged Baal’s prophets to a competition to prove his God was real.

“I’m the only one of Jehovah’s prophets left. Baal has 450 prophets. You make a sacrificial altar and call to Baal. I will call on the Lord. The one who answers by lighting the sacrifice is God.”

All day long Baal’s prophets shouted and danced around the altar but received no answer.

Elijah taunted, “Shout louder! Maybe he is sleeping!”

After time had passed, Elijah soaked the altar with water. Baal’s prophets stood watching as Elijah called on the One True God. Immediately, fire exploded from the sky and destroyed the sacrifice.

Even today, we often see others worshiping other gods. Be bold like Elijah, and let the Holy Spirit that dwells in you explode to tell others the truth about our One True God and His Son, Jesus.  I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -John 14:6.

 

     I lift up my hands, Jesus, today in awe of You. Your beautiful creations surround my life and I thank You. Open my eyes to see more and open my ears to listen to what You have created. I stand in amazement of the mighty works of Your hands. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of this life and creating me in Your likeness. Thank You, God. I love You. Amen.

 

 

 

What Do You Worship?

The pastor’s words silenced the room. His words were gentle, but powerful. Everyone shifted in their seats and a few resting eyelids opened as the entire congregation heard his message. “Our work becomes our worship, we worship our play, and we rest at our worship.”  How true.

Perhaps it’s time to learn our priorities and to worship the One who has given us our work, our play and our rest. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. -Psalm 95:6.

 

May the Lord bless and overflow His love to you today.

May you be encouraged to share His love with others along the way.

And let them know about the life with Him that will always be,

The life that will never end, the gift He gave to you and me.