PERFECT PEACE

 

MARCH 1, 2022

 

Philippians 4:6-7 

6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

 

Isaiah 26:3 

3You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

 

 John 14:27

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

 

 

 PEACE, PEACE, GOD'S PEACE

Today is the final installment of a series of prayers and reflections on the theme of Preparing for God’s New Thing in our life.

The Bible reveals to us who God is, and one important aspect of His character is that the Lord loves peace and wants it to fill the earth.

Read Jesus’ promise in John’s gospel: 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. We also learn that the Lord is a “God of peace” in the following verses Romans 15:3; Philippians 4:9; I Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20. Of course we also know that Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.

In light of all this, when Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers” in Matthew 5:9 we can understand why: To be a peacemaker is to reflect the image of our God and Father—using our breath, energy, and creativity to sow peace wherever the Spirit takes us.

It all begins in our own hearts.


A PRAYER FOR PERSONAL PEACE

God,

Thank You for making it possible for me to always experience peace. Because You gave us Your Son, I always have a way to know and experience You. There is nothing that can separate me from Your loving presence. God, I know this, but sometimes I struggle to believe You could love someone like me.

When I don’t feel Your peace, please help me to rest in the confident assurance that You are still in control. And because You are still in control, I can approach each new day with joy and thankfulness.

There is nothing that is too hard for You to do. There is nothing broken that You cannot make new. So please help me to see the new things You are doing in this time in my life. Let my trust in You deepen and my faith in You flourish. For as my faith grows, so does my awareness of Your perfect love. And when Your love consumes me, there is no room for fear.

So transform me by Your love so that my life becomes an example of Your peace that surpasses understanding.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

________________________

As I write this devotion Ukraine and Russia are having talks on the border of Belarus. It is fitting that we continue to pray for the peace of our world. While the Russia/Ukraine conflict has been given wide coverage in the media there are also conflicts in Somalia, Yemen, and Syria. Here is a prayer we prayed at the opening of our worship service on Sunday that you may wish to pray or use as a guide of what to pray for our world.



A PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE

God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings
justice and peace,
have mercy on our broken and divided world.
Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all
and banish from them the spirit that makes for war,
that all races and peoples may learn to live
as members of one family
and in obedience to your law,
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

REFRESH MY HEART LORD

 

 FEBRUARY 28, 2022

Psalm 139:23-24 

23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

Psalm 147:3 

3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

 

Psalm 23:3 

3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake

 

Jeremiah 32:17 

17‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

REFRESH MY HEART, LORD

 

The term ‘refresh’ assumes that a person was ‘fresh’ at some point. Refresh is a verb that means to restore something that has been lost or diminished. In this case, freshness. So, the first question we must ask is, does your spirit need to be refreshed?

I will take the risk of believing that for many, perhaps most, alright, probably all of us, we thirst for a refreshment of our spirit. So let us seek with faith and joy the refreshment that God so dearly desires for us.

Our verses above remind us of God’s “refreshing role”, “he restores our soul”, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds”, He leads us “in the way everlasting”, and his ability to do this rests in who God is, the Creator for whom “nothing is too hard.”

If you are like me, you are likely in need of being refreshed. Life is tough, cares, stress, responsibilities, can drain us. I know for many of you the last 24 months has been deeply difficult, and disturbing, our spiritual supplies have been drained. I feel spiritually drained as I write this thinking about the unrest and conflict in our world, So lets pray together today, as fellow believers for God’s promise of refreshing to fall on us.

 

 

A PRAYER OF REFRESHMENT

God,

I want to step into all that You have for me with boldness and confidence. But if I’m being honest, I’m uncertain of what the future will hold—and that can feel unsettling.

Search me, God, and refresh my heart.

Right now, please help me to surrender my expectations, and transform my mind as I draw near to You.

Search me, God, and align my heart with Yours.

As I pursue the plans You have for me, let me remember what You’ve already helped me overcome. You have already made a way for me to know You. You have already made a way for me to experience eternal life with You. Nothing is too hard for You!

Search me, God, and heal my heart.

Whatever the future holds, I know You hold me. Nothing is impossible for You.

Restore me, God, and make me new.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

TAKE AWAY

Now re-read this prayer out loud. After you read each bolded statement, spend 30 seconds in complete silence. During that time, pay attention to any words, ideas, or pictures that God gives you.

CLING TO GOD and BE ALERT

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

 

Joshua 1:9 

9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 

Psalm 23:4 

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 

2 Corinthians 10:5 

5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 

8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

 

CLING TO GOD and BE ALERT

 

At first glance, Joshua 1 may appear to be commands to summon the strength of Superman and the courage of a lion. But digging into the original Hebrew of “strong” and “courageous” reveals an important truth.



The Hebrew word for “strong” means to “fasten upon.”
Joshua had to cling to God, because the strength and endurance for his calling could only come from the Lord.



The Hebrew word for Courageous means “to be alert.”
Joshua had to be vigilant because distractions are everywhere.



God reveals that to live in His promises, we need to cling to Him and be watchful for the many distractions that come our way.





A PRAYER FOR COURAGE


God,

You are my protector—in You I have all I need. But when trials come my way it’s easy to forget that You are still in control. Sometimes when I look at the world around me, I grow discouraged, and my thoughts start to spiral. I need You to make me strong and courageous.

So as I step into the plans You have for me, please give me the courage I need to trust in You. Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me.

Show me that You are near.

Encourage me when I feel worn out, and renew my strength when I’m overwhelmed. Give me rest when I need it, and remind me of Your promises. Help me to take every thought captive as I give You my concerns.

Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways are better than mine. You give hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weak. You alone can renew my mind and remind me of my purpose.

Counsel me as I reflect on Your Word, and help me to apply Your truths to my life. Give me the courage I need to do what is right, and help me to pursue You above all else—always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.



THE TAKE AWAY



Reflect on some of the truths God has shown you this week.

What next steps do you need to boldly take in order to faithfully pursue God’s calling on your life?

 

Praying for Peace

 

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

 ISAIAH 2:3-5

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

 

PRAYING FOR PEACE

A few Sunday’s ago, we looked at the above Isaiah passage and it’s call to learn the “ways of the Lord”. The way of peace.

We acknowledged from the scriptures that God promises to do justice and to set things right among the nations, which implies eliminating the causes of war — causes like aggression, oppression, greed, imperialism, the drive to dominate. As a result, nations will feel secure enough to turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. In other words, the nations will turn costly weapons designed to kill into agricultural implements that increase food production and enhance human well-being.

I long for world like that, don’t you?

Today, we hear of war in our world, in the Ukraine. Frankly, I do not know all the issues about this conflict. I only know that as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to be a peacemaker, to pray for peace, to pray for a world in which “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

Let us join together as a community in praying for peace and that God’s Kingdom will come and God’s will be done on Earth.



PRAYER



In this time of crisis and war, let us commit ourselves to prayer and pray to the God of all creation to bring peace to our world, and peace to our hearts.



Lord of the nations, the horrors of war stand before us in graphic ways that disturb our daily lives. Fear grips us for our personal safety and the safety of those in harm’s way. Sorrow washes over us for the seeming necessity of war and the losses that come with it. Opinions divide us and leave us confused in the face of an uncertain future. You alone, O God of Creation, who in the beginning brought order into chaos, light into darkness – you alone can help us in these days of crisis and war.



Come to the aid of nations and leaders who need your guidance. Come to the aid of those standing in harm’s way.



Come to the aid of our military and their families. Come to the aid of all who need your assuring and loving presence.



Strengthen us in faith and calm the fears within us that are many. Help us to trust in you for our lives and our future.



Forgive us for our sins, especially for our failings as peacemakers. Forgive us for the divisions among us. Renew our spirits and increase our resolve to pray fervently for peace.



Protect us from any evil that surrounds us. Lift the hearts of the sorrowful. Bring healing to the sick and the wounded. Comfort the dying and the bereaved with your love.



Above all, give us assurance that as Lord of all, you are in control. Give us hope and give us peace on earth, lasting peace.



God of peace, God of love, fill our hearts and our minds with the peace and love that only you can give. We, your people, ardently cry to you, O Lord. You are our answer. You are our hope. Come to our aid. In Jesus’ name.

Amen

 

 

“War is what happens when language fails.”

– Margaret Atwood, Canadian author

 

FEAR FACTOR

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Ezekiel 37:4-10 

4Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 7So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. 8Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. 9Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” 10So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.

Matthew 6:13 

13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Psalms 32:7 

7For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory

Isaiah 43:19 

19For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

 

Romans 8:31-39 

31What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

FEAR FACTOR

 

When fear invades, there’s no pressing forward in faith or summoning of courage. There’s just the persistent, powerful fear that locks out the world. If you have walked both the pathway of faith and have been stopped in your tracks by paralyzing fear you know this is true.

That is not God’s plan for us. Yet fear is a very real emotion and God offers wonderful hope and promises in the face of fear, as we read above.


A PRAYER AGAINST FEAR

God,

Too often, I find myself overwhelmed by circumstances that are beyond my control. Too often, I am easily distracted by things that don’t matter. Please forgive me for not consistently placing my trust in You.

I know that as I step into a new season of growth I will face obstacles that make me want to give up. When this happens, give me the faith I need to cling to the truth: that Your peace and protection aren’t based on my feelings or circumstances but on Your character and faithfulness.

Because You are faithful, You will guard me and establish me. You will rescue me from trouble and deliver me from the evil one. You will make a way where there is no way. If You can bring dry bones to life and make a river in a desert, then You can do a new thing in me regardless of what’s going on around me.

Nothing is too hard for You. You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance. As I look for the ways You are calling me to start fresh, help me to remember Your truth. And as I remember Your truth, help me to step boldly forward into the plans You have prepared for me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.



TAKE AWAY

Take a moment and visualize something that is currently making you anxious.

Do You have it in your sights?

Now, take a deep breath in, and then give that fear to God as you breathe out. Repeat as needed.

** Try this daily. I have found this a wonderful exercise that brings peace into my spirit, calm to my mind and enables the spiritual act of surrendering God possible. **

 

 

 

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

 

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

Proverbs 16:9

9We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.



Jeremiah 29:11

11For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.



Romans 12:1-2 

1And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.



Ephesians 4:1-3 

1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

Author and Pastor Timothy Keller in an audio talk , “Real Security and the Call of Abraham,” suggest there are three things to notice about the call of God.



One, the call comes in power. “God’s call humbles, breaks, disturbs, convicts and shakes us;” Keller says.



Secondly Keller says, God’s call is an act of grace. I am not called because I am qualified, but I am qualified because the Call has come!” Remember this What God calls us to, we will be equipped to do. God knows exactly the state we are in, our gifts, our weaknesses and He will provide all that is needed to answer the call because his call is transformational!



Thirdly, Keller suggests that God’s call is radical and its purpose is to bless others. “At the heart of the Call of God is the surrender of the will,” says Keller.



Answering God’s call requires faith-inspired obedience but if we will surrender to his call, the impact of our obedience extends beyond ourselves, enabling us to bring His Kingdom in the here and now.



Do you wonder what God is calling you to do? Most people don’t hear God speak from the clouds and point them in a particular direction. Answering God’s call is following Christ into a restored relationship with him and with other people.




A PRAYER FOR CALLING

God,


You know my heart better than anyone. You know the dreams I have for the future, and the silent prayers I’ve prayed for years. You know what I am longing for, searching for, and waiting for.


You know my dreams, but You have a plan. You make all things beautiful in their proper timing. You are faithful to keep Your promises. But so often, I forget this and grow discouraged when my situations don’t seem to change. In those moments, it’s easy to forget that You are not done working.


As I prepare for a new thing in my life, remind me of the promises You have for me, the gifts You’ve given me, and the hope that I have in You. Search me and know my heart. Try me and test my anxious thoughts. See if there is anything within me that grieves You.


You are the one who establishes my steps. So, in this new season, I am choosing to trust You with the unknown. I am choosing to be faith-filled because You are faithful.



Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave. Transform my mind so that I can discover Your perfect will. Allow me to become the person You created me to be so that I can fulfill the calling You’ve placed on my life.



In Jesus’ name, Amen.



TAKE AWAY

Think about the gifts and talents God has given you. Look for any areas where your passion and skills intersect. Then, spend some time intentionally dreaming with God about how you can use those passions and skills for His glory.

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2022

Psalms 131:1-3 

1My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. 3Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

 

 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

MATTHEW 10:39

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

 

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

We often resist this idea of surrender don’t’ we? Surrender in the culture of our world results in defeat, giving up, losing. However, surrender to God as we see revealed in the bible brings victory and success. When we cease pursuing our own self interests and the following of cultural (worldly) norms, we begin building up treasure in heaven. That will never be taken away from us. The discovery that God’s plans for us are infinitely better than anything we could do on our own is life changing. Surrendering our lives completely to God releases us from the constraints and pressures imposed on us by the world. The beautiful outcome of surrender to God and God’s good road for us is that we will experience the reality of a kingdom that will never end.


We have opportunity every day to lay our lives down at the feet of Jesus in response to his great love that we might experience the abundant life only he can give. May your life be completely wrapped up in the goodness of your loving Savior.


So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours





A PRAYER OF SURRENDER

God,

You give me the strength I need to overcome any obstacles I face. You take away my arrogant thoughts and You focus my eyes away from the things I cannot control. You alone have the power to turn my weaknesses into windows through which Your glory can shine through.

You hold my future, and You invite me to take part in the plans You have for Your Kingdom. So help me to lay down my uncertainties for the future and my unmet expectations from the past.

When I feel weak, help me to remember that You are strong. When I feel discouraged, remind me of the confident hope I have in You. Please calm and quiet my soul.

Today and every day, give me the confident assurance I need to lay aside anything that might hinder me so that I can walk in a manner worthy of my calling. And as You do that, I will choose not to be anxious about anything because I know that You comfort and protect me. I will surrender my fears and trust in You for breakthrough.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.



THE TAKE AWAY



Re-read this prayer and then make a list of the areas in your life that you need to surrender.

Then Picture putting those things in a box and then visualize handing that box to Jesus. Use this exercise to make space in your heart for the plans that God wants to reveal to you.

LEAD ME ALONG THE WAY

 

FEBRUARY 21, 2022

Isaiah 43:1 

1But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.


Proverbs 3:5-6

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

LEAD ME, GUIDE ME

The God who created you has called you by name! And no matter your situation, He is constantly inviting you to take part in the plans He has for you.

This should be exciting, but when life gets overwhelming and problems keep mounting, it’s easy to start doubting if we can be the people God created us to be. When this happens, one of the best things we can do is intentionally slow down and seek God’s heart.





A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

God,

You know my heart. You understand my deepest wants and needs, and You know my every intention. You know me better than I know myself. There is nowhere I could run to escape Your presence, and nothing I could hide from You!

You alone are worthy of my praise.

I don’t always know what to ask for when I pray. My soul is weary, and I am tired. I often worry about making the right decision—but I want to live a life that honors You.

Even though I may feel like I can’t move forward or see what’s ahead—You see me. And You know me. So please guide me. Show me the paths that lead to abundant life and draw me near when I am tempted to stray from You.

I will always place my hope in You because You know all things, and You hold my life in Your hands. You are my strength in times of need, and You are my salvation.

So hold me close, Lord, and teach me to walk in a manner worthy of the calling You have given me. Direct my steps as You guard my life, because I want to glorify You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.



TAKE AWAY



Spend a few minutes today in silent reflection. Ask God to show you how He is guiding you into a new season, and what areas of your life you need to continue to trust Him with.

 FEBRUARY 18, 2022

BIBLE READINGS


Ephesians 4:1-6

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.



Hebrews 12:14

14Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Let’s Choose the Big Picture

It’s no secret that our world seems more divided than ever. We certainly know that from our own beloved Canada is recent times. Whether it is political parties pointing the accusing finger at one another, and attaching labels on each other, or division we have witnessed along the lines of race, religion, vaccinations, or mandates there always seems to be a tension in the relational, spiritual, and political climate of our world.

This week we have reflected on several different things to incorporate into our relationships with people we may not agree with. Loving people because Jesus called us to, showing respect by managing our demeanor, avoiding fruitless arguments, and empathizing with others to see life from their lens are all wise and helpful approaches. I admit that some of what we have looked at seems like too difficult a task to put differences aside, but it can be done.

We could with God’s help “pre-decide” that we’re going to choose people over policies and relationships over rules. What if…

· we exhibited patience

· we listened to understand

· we gave respect to the other as God’s creation

· we focused on what we have in common

· we chose the big picture?

Let’s not forget that God so loved...the world. Every single soul on this planet, past, present, and future, He loves. While we’ll never have His capacity to love people, we are still called to grow in grace and be generous in love toward others.

Don’t you find that having people in our lives we don’t agree with makes us stronger? If we only surround ourselves with people we always agree with, we’ll never be stretched. And as we learn from others, it’s okay if our viewpoints change.

But, as followers of Christ, we have to remember that adopting our own version of the truth is not what God has called us to. We always line up our views with a godly perspective. We are to live according to His truth.

What we can do is represent Jesus by showing love, respect, and empathy, all wrapped with truth and grace.

At the end of the day, the point of loving people we disagree with is unity. Whatever the issue is, we can choose people first. Because if we, as followers of Jesus, want people to know our Savior and Lord the way we do, that’s where we must start. Let’s represent Jesus well so that others want to know Him. And when they do, the Holy Spirit is quite capable of leading them to adjust any viewpoints that are inconsistent with His truth.

PRAYER

Maybe our Prayer to end this week should be the words of St. Francis of Assisi. Give it a listen below and make it your prayer too.

 

 

THE GIFT OF EMPATHY

 

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

BIBLE READING

John 8:1-11 NLT

1Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

THE GIFT OF EMPATHY

I am sure you have heard of the word sympathy. Simply put, sympathy is when we have common feelings of sadness or pity for and with someone else. Empathy has similar beginnings as sympathy, but it’s quite different. While sympathy suggests that you share the feelings of someone else because of a similar experience, empathy implies that you have the capacity to imagine the feelings someone else had, but you haven’t felt them yourself.



It’s easy to sympathize with someone because we’ve walked through the same thing, but empathy requires a bit of work on our part. It’s not something most people grasp or do. But, to navigate relationships with others with whom we don’t see eye to eye, we have to work at this important quality.



Listen With Purpose

When we take the time to hear other people out, we value them by showing love and respect. As we truly listen to them, we can learn why they believe what they do. This helps us to get a glimpse into their lives. As we’re listening, preparing our response while they’re still talking is like getting ready to debate them. The thing we want to look for in this kind of scenario is that the two people coming together value each other more than they care about being right.




Tell me Your Story

Learning someone’s reasons will help us see their view and keep us from judging too quickly. If someone shares the “why” behind why they believe in something you don’t, consider the background they’re sharing. People often land on their worldviews and stances because of their upbringing, which includes both positive and negative experiences. When we allow ourselves to step into their world, for even just a few minutes, we’re less likely to show judgment.

Today’s Gospel reading offers a comparison between law and love. Those who brought the women to Jesus were heavy handed, lacked even a small measure of grace. Where was the woman’s adultery partner? Moses says “stone her.”

Jesus’ response though is one of love and compassion. He challenges the law as her accusers are using it by challenging them that if they are without sin, if they are law keepers, then you throw the first stone. They all gradually went away. Jesus gentle words to the women were not condemnation, but love and challenge, Go, and sin no more.

Empathy is a key component to a healthy relationship. Expressing it allows us to see the person for who they are, to understand a different point of view, and to ultimately, in my view represent Jesus well.

PRAYER

Lord, grant me the wisdom to see the good in each person I meet.

Grant me the empathy to understand their life situation and respect them enough to extend loving support, while sharing God's love with dignity.

Allow me, Lord, to recognize opportunities to stand with others, friend to friend.

Amen.

 

FEBRUARY 16, 2022

BIBLE READINGS

Romans 12:9-10 

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

 

Philippians 2:3-4 

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.



On Monday our devotion emphasized that 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, reminds us that simple gestures and gifts of love are to be our everyday gifts to others, not just on one day a year.

On Tuesday our devotion emphasized that there will always be things in our relationships that we “agree to disagree on.” We concluded with loving others while disagreeing with them at the same time is possible, not easy, but with God’s help by the Holy Sprit we can learn to grow in this area.

Today lets reflect on one important area for Growth.

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I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU RESPECT

To show respect to someone means that we esteem them. Even if we don’t agree with someone’s stance, we can still treat them respectfully. It’s not about feeling respect for them but showing it to them.

If you want to learn how to show respect to others, try spending time with someone who doesn’t agree with you. Showing respect when we think someone else’s viewpoint or belief system is completely wrong can be challenging. There are some things we can do as we interact with others who don’t share our worldview and beliefs.

Ask Questions Respectfully
When we ask questions respectfully, we open a doorway to learn why someone believes what they do. It gives us a peek inside their hearts and minds and allows us to really see them. Instead of making condescending statements when someone shares their opinion, try asking, “How did you come to that belief?” We respect others by showing respect in the way we ask and answer questions.

Watch Your Tone
Disagreeing with someone isn’t a huge deal, and is easy to deal with if the situation doesn’t get heated. But, unfortunately, we get bothered when someone doesn’t see a situation or have the viewpoint the way we do. When that happens, we lash out with our words and display an equal annoyance. So, consider how you want to be treated. Let’s leave that mean or angry tone out of the disagreement equation.

Avoid Arguments
Most arguments are pointless. We only have so much energy each day and to give it to wasteful and time-zapping arguments, including ones on social media, means we have nothing left in our relational reserves for those closest to us. You might say, “But I need them to hear my point!” Why? To win the argument? We can’t change people. We can only change ourselves and be in control of how we respond. Don’t let argument-prone people dictate your actions. Those kinds of interactions do nothing to build a bridge in a relationship. They only strain it more.

What I am suggesting above, is hard stuff right. I tell you from my own personal journey this has been a great struggle, and I have some growing yet to do. As I mature in Christ, I have come to understand that as followers of Jesus, we should set the standard for respect because of who Jesus is in our lives. He doesn’t force us to follow Him but died on the cross so we would. Let’s represent Him well as we encounter people who know Him and those who don’t. Let’s lovingly discuss with our fellow believers, and lets not expect non-Christians to hold a Christian world view. As we show people respect in how we treat them, we can trust that God is working in the situation.

I worked with a gentleman who was a self described agnostic. When I started working with him, he was terribly hard on me, he would watch me struggle with things and stand back and laugh, he would say things to me that he knew were hurtful and offensive, he would play music in our area from a station that played music from the thrities and forties, just wasn’t my taste for music and he knew it. At one point I thought I don’t think I can possibly work with this guy. I am going to see if I can go back to my old job. 

Then one day, he was struggling with a problem, and I stood back and laughed at him, and then I helped him. From that moment on our relationship changed. I never did argue with him about his agnostic views but over time I learned he had been wounded deeply by a Church experience. When he shared his heart with me, I began to see him in very different light. He became one of the best guys I ever worked with. When as a theology student I was asked to preach at a local Church, guess who showed up in support. That’s right, my agnostic co worker. Afterward, he said “you done good, kid”. God was at work through it all. Hey, I even learned to like some of that 40’s music he blasted at our work station.

I believe the advice from our readings today are worth reflecting on and practicing “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” That’s showing respect.

TOWARD A GENEROUS LOVE

 

FEBRUARY 15, 2022

BIBLE READINGS



John 13:34-35

34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”



Romans 12:9-19

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”



1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

TOWARD A GENEROUS LOVE

We’ll never completely agree with another person on everything. Not a family member, our spouse or best friend, not even a fellow worshipper. The reason for this at least in part is that we are individuals and there is not a single person like you. This means there won’t be anyone with your exact viewpoint on life, politics, money, relationships, or theology. You are uniquely you, and so is the person next to you.

While this may be true that we are all different, we can still love others. Why is it important to love people that we do not agree with? Well, because Jesus said so. He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV). When Jesus commanded us to love others, He didn’t say that we had to agree with them first. So, what does this Jesus love look like?

Love considers others first.
Love looks for the best.
Love shows respect.
Love seeks unity.
Love isn’t selfish.
Love offers the best.
Love displays patience.

I believe we likely all know that loving others can involve pain. Love means putting your heart out there for someone and they may potentially wound you. As many songs assert “Love stings, Love Hurts”.

Here is what Jesus invites us to do, He says, Love means being generous and thinking about the needs of others before we think of our own. Now that’s counter cultural, isn’t it?

There will always be things in our relationships that we “agree to disagree on.” It could be the way we do our finances—some of us choose to live debt free, others don’t. It could be when we decide to start or end our day—some of us are early to bed, while others stay up late. Some of us think 68 degrees is perfect setting of our home thermostat while for others 72 degrees is the ideal. Or it could be more serious differences that concern politics, social issues, current events, or Christian ethics. I believe, loving others while disagreeing with them at the same time is possible, not easy, but with God’s help by the Holy Sprit we can learn to grow in this area.


PRAYER

Ask God to help you to love those with whom you think differently ask him to show you where you need to grow in this area. 

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

BIBLE READING

I Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

SIMPLE GESTURES

I Corinthians 13 is the famous biblical love chapter. It’s beautiful because it describes the kind of perfect love that God has for us and through him, we are able to love our spouses, children, extended family, co-workers, and neighbors this same way, yes even our enemies. It’s an active love; a love that is more committed to the other person than our own feelings at the time. It is important to notice that “Gift” giving isn’t even mentioned in this list, I believe the reason is that this love is worth so much more than anything we could ever afford to purchase.

I like a gift as most of us do, I like to give gifts too. Don’t you find that sometimes a gift is a hit and sometimes it’s a miss? I remind you, whether you are the giver or receiver, the gift is never the sum of how much we love or are loved. We can enjoy absolutely enjoy Valentine’s Day as a good excuse to spoil the ones we love and share God’s love in a special way with those who are lonely and hurting. But let’s stay focused: no material thing or sentimental card can ever replace the simple gestures of God’s love expressed every day.

My suggestion today is that is what 1 Corinthians 13 above reminds us of is that simple gestures and gifts of love are to be our everyday gifts to others, not just on one day a year.




REFLECTION

Reading over the key passage, what aspects of love are your strengths? Weaknesses?




PRAY

Ask God to show you practical ways you demonstrate his perfect love to others daily.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!

 

FEBRUARY 11, 2022

I do not know how you all are feeling today, but as I sit to write our Friday devotion I am feely deep sorrow and grief over the situation that has and is evolving in our country. I have this deep sadness that I hardly can figure out what to write. So I am going to just post a prayer for our country. 

I am thinking that maybe this is something I should have been praying everyday not just at a percieved crisis point. I love our Country. So join me in this prayer, today, tomorrow, .... 

2 Chronicles 20:12

                               

O Lord Our God, 

we do not know what to do, 

but our eyes are on you.

Ephesians 2:14

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility

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LET US PRAY


Lord God, we desperately need your wisdom. You have given us a great country, founded on principles and truths from Your Word. We need men and women who will honor You, trust You, and lead us once again back to You. We pray for servant leaders who love the things You love and who care more about others than themselves.




Give us leaders with discerning hearts, bold faith, and wise minds that model Your character. Teach them-and us-not just what is good, but what is best. Guide them in the way our country should go. Give them purity in their intentions, and godliness in their convictions. Energize their spirits and bodies physically and spiritually and keep them emotionally secure in the knowledge of who You are-and whose they are. Help them to be bighearted and sincere, energetic in goodness, and courteous in their manners.




Raise up leaders with the greatest potential of godly leadership, those who can ease confusion, expose illusion, and heal delusion. You alone hold the power to turn the hearts of leaders, but You listen and use our prayers to move them into right action. Help us to be faithful to care and to pursue Your heart in prayer.




Help our leaders to be quick to admit failure, but ready to rebound in persistent resilience. Encourage them to choose wisely, and when they don’t know what to do, help them keep their eyes on You. Let them take a firm stand on issues that truly matter to You, regardless of the consequences or approval ratings. Make them God-pleasers, not puppets; leaders filled with conviction, not corruption.




As a nation, God, help us to desire righteousness more than rights, and to mirror sacrifice more than selfishness. You know us well, and You understand our flaws. Turn those weaknesses into strengths; bathe us with Your grace and mercy, though none of us deserve it. Fill us with the boldness to choose the kind of freedom that will benefit all, rather than a few. Open our eyes to see others as You do-with godly potential and value. But help us, too, to recognize our own pride in trying to elevate ourselves and others above You and Your purpose for our lives.




We need, You, God. Oh, how we need You! You have exercised nothing but faithfulness and fairness in Your treatment of our country, even when we’ve turned our back on You and forgotten Your goodness to us. Your discipline at times is hard, but You are just. Your purpose is always to draw us close to You, to bless us, and to make us a nation who honors You. You are a good, good, Father-and Your love for us has a proven track record.




Forgive us for wanting our own way and making our own paths-often the ones paved with least resistance. Forgive us for fence-walking, or for ignoring completely the truths that can so easily set us free. Deliver us from mindless quarrels and destinations that lead us nowhere, but away from You. Free us from divisiveness, and melt our hardened hearts to love, not hate, and to heal, not debate.




Our history has cried for king-like leaders who will solve our problems and meet our needs. But there is only one King, and that is You, Lord. We have blindly sought answers from others to life’s unresolved questions through the years, but You are the only wise Counselor. We have longed for peace, but You are the only Peacemaker, and the only Prince of Peace. We've clung to our weapons of warfare, not as measures of defense, but as strongholds of selfish pride. We look at outward appearances; You see the heart. With You, nothing formed against us can prosper. Without You, we are nothing.




Make us a great nation, yes. But more than that, make us good, Lord, with a heartbeat that wants every person of every creed and color to know Your love, Your goodness, and Your worth. Make us wise as serpents, but gentle as doves. Turn our fears to faith, as we look to You and You alone for the future of our country. Give us God-confidence that no matter what happens, we will believe You are not only in control, but that You know exactly what is needed to accomplish Your purpose. Help us not to second-guess Your moves, but to move at Your command, always without hesitation.




We look to You and to You, only, Lord. Help us make wise decisions that move our country in the right direction. Help us to do our part in praying and in staying with what we know is right according to the truth of Your Word. Teach us to make our actions count and our words matter, and line them both up to Your sense of rightness, not ours. Guide us with Your eye; grip us with Your strong arm; teach us what we need to know to make our lives-and our nation-count for you. We pray for our leaders, but we ask You to make us both leaders and followers: leading in the way of Truth, and following those who honor You.


In the precious and powerful name of Jesus,
Amen

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