Tag: peace

Let Us Find Our Rest in Thee

OLD TESTAMENT: Malachi 3-4

POETRY: Psalm 150

NEW TESTAMENT: John 21:15-25

Our bodies were designed to rest. It is a precedent set by the Heavenly Father on the seventh day and continued through the Law on the Sabbath. Whether it is sleep, a cup of coffee at work, or a walk between sets, taking a break gives us refreshment, repair, and a chance to catch our breath. Without this all-important pause, our bodies and minds suffer, leading to exhaustion, reduced cognitive function, and weakened resilience. But like all things, even our rest must be found in Jesus Christ.

In today’s reading, Peter has emerged not only from a day of hard labor but easily his most tumultuous season of life. He took up arms for Jesus, denied Him, went into hiding, grieved, and then saw his Risen Savior. Now, a moment to rest presents itself with a warm meal, a fire, and friends. Jesus seizes this restful moment to restore and recenter Peter. Rest and relaxation do not always go hand-in-hand.  A volley of questions and the allusion to a martyr’s death may seem more stressful than restful, but Peter receives His commission in a fireside chat—not in the labor of picking up loaves and fishes or walking on water. We need time to unpack the hard things away from the hard labor so our weary, heavy-laden souls can respond to the kindling of Christ’s call.

One of the most important elements of this rest is stillness. Unfortunately, distraction, coping, or physical stillness alone is incomplete when compared to God’s command of stilling oneself. Many times, we choose spiritual brain rot to fill our thoughts, keeping our minds occupied and leaving no vacancy for our Heavenly Father to speak. Today, in the repeated reading of Psalm 150, we have an opportunity to be still in the words and to meditate upon them. Just as sleep provides an opportunity for our brain to repair—removing waste, mitigating damage, regulating our mood, and increasing immune activity—meditation upon the words of God doesn’t ignore life’s challenges. Instead, it reframes our circumstances within the glory of God, offering many of the same benefits.

Finally, in God’s rest, there is peace—which is like rest, but sustainable alongside the most dire of circumstances, experienced by His treasured, faithful remnant. In the chaos of Judah and Israel’s departure from God, there is still a promise that our Heavenly Father will send His messenger to prepare the way for the Lord – and he did.  Now, we are now the messengers who battle with our own time and culture. Because we too have been filled with the Holy Spirit, we receive one of its many gifts, a peace that passes understanding. We can stand as the harbinger for the return of Christ in the unfair, the overwhelming, and the disastrous, because these things run parallel to our peace. Thank you, God, for standing as a defense and a mighty tower, so we can retreat into Your promises and find our rest in the arms of Jesus Christ.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you give your body rest? What can you do to improve in this area?
    How do you give your mind rest? What can you do to improve in this area?
  2. How can you/do you find rest in Scripture?
  3. If Jesus met you on the beach after one of your biggest failures what questions and directions do you think he would have for you?
  4. How can you tend/feed/shepherd Jesus’ sheep?

BE WATCHING FOR ANOTHER POST/EMAIL TO COME LATER TODAY WITH THE 2025 SeekGrowLove BIBLE READING PLAN! One little teaser word: chronological. Thank you for reading in 2024! May we continue to Seek Him, Grow in our faith, and Love the Almighty God, His Son, His people and His word – more and more!

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Become One in Purpose

OLD TESTAMENT: Zechariah 7-8
POETRY: Psalm 145
NEW TESTAMENT: John 17:20-26

Zechariah 8:14-17(NLT)  For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 15 But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. 16 But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. 17 Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the LORD.”

Psalms 145:3-7(NLT)
3 Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

John 17:20-26(NLT)  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Father God we pray that we will be one in purpose with your Son just as he is one in purpose with You.  We are so in awe of your great love that you have loved us with.  Give us the knowledge and wisdom to tell your Word to the world and to help to reach those You have chosen.  We declare your faithfulness to our children, our friends and to all those with whom we have the opportunity to share.  In Jesus’ wonderful name we pray this day.

Our reading this day takes us through a strong admonition from God in Zechariah to walk in God’s truth with each other.  We need to deal honestly and truthfully with all, using the measure of truth that God has given us to judge and deal with all.  Our speaking the truth should bring peace to each situation.  This is many times very difficult to achieve.  Most people will see as a good verdict one that only gives them what they want.  God calls us to make peace which is to speak the truth – but in the love which we see as the standard for our conduct and thinking from our reading in John 17.  The Christ in us is our strength to speak the words which will give grace to the hearers and bring resolution to situations where we find ourselves.  Our witness is not to prove that we are right but to show the grace and love of God to people.  The goodness of God brings people to repentance and salvation.  Make our message one that is positive and uplifting giving grace to the hearers. 

Jesus Christ is one with the Father??  What does this mean??  Some trinitarians like to use these verses to demonstrate that Jesus is God the Son.  But then it says that he desires that we would be one with them also.  Does this make us part of the godhead?  We must read the Word of God as it is written.  The purpose of asking for us to become one with Christ and one with God is that we must become one in purpose with them.  God is the originator of salvation; Jesus Christ is the way that God brings salvation to us.  We are the way that others will hear and believe to come to righteousness also.  This is what it means to be one in purpose.  Other people are going to see Christ through our lives and speech.  When we see Christ, then we come to a larger understanding of who our Father God is.  God has revealed Himself through His Word but especially through the life of Christ.  It is God who is in Christ who is in you today.  This should give us confidence and power in this world to do good, especially to reconcile people back to the Heavenly Father. 

2 Corinthians 5:19-20(NLT) For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Have a great day walking and talking with your Father and His Son.  Hear the words of knowledge and wisdom He speaks in your ears to bring His message of hope alive for you and all you meet.  True peace is to bring back together that which is apart.

2 Timothy 1:9-10(NLT) For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

-Tom Siderius

Reflection Questions

How do we grow in our spiritual relationship with the Father and His Son?

Who can you minister peace to today?

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Jerusalem

OLD TESTAMENT: Ezekiel 18-20

POETRY: Psalm 122

NEW TESTAMENT: John 1:1-18

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a sneak attack on Israel.  Nearly 1200 Israelis were killed.  251 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive and held hostage by Hamas.

This was not the first time Israel had been the victim of an attack and taken captive by enemies.  They were enslaved by the Egyptians thousands of years ago.  They were taken into exile by the Babylonians nearly 3000 years ago.  They were attacked and occupied by the Romans and their Temple was destroyed and they went into the diaspora almost 2000 years ago.  They were victims of the Holocaust nearly 100 years ago when nearly 6 million Jews were murdered in gas chambers.

Psalm 122 was one of many Psalms that were prayed by the Jewish people during many of these numerous times of attack and war.   

Psalm 122. A song of ascents. Of David.

1 

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2 

Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.

3 

Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.

4 

That is where the tribes go up—
    the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.

5 

There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

6 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.

7 

May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”

8 

For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”

9 

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.

This Psalm is a prayer for peace in Jerusalem.  It is a prayer that God’s people will live in security and protection.  Today we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.  True and lasting peace will not come to Jerusalem until the Messiah, God’s anointed King, our savior Jesus Christ returns.  When Jesus returns there will be Peace in Jerusalem and eventually Peace on earth in God’s Kingdom.

Let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Let us pray for the release of those being held captive.

Pastor Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. Compare and contrast Jerusalem, including it’s history and current situation, to that of the New Jerusalem we recently read about in the final chapters of Revelation. What causes the differences and the similarities?
  2. How often do you pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Would adding a visual reminder to your home or device help you remember?
  3. How might you be able to seek the good and prosperity of Jerusalem?
  4. How often do you pray for the coming of the New Jerusalem and pray for its occupants, that those you know will be ready – recognized as the people of God, wearing white and not left outside?
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Quiet Living

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 7-8

Poetry: Psalm 93

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4 continues in the instruction of how believers should be living. Paul commends the people in Thessalonica for doing well in following God’s commands and encourages them to do even more. Paul writes that God calls us to sanctification. Sanctification means to be made clean or holy. God calls us to be clean and holy. He provides this cleansing through Christ’s death and resurrection. Hebrews 10:10 says “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (NASB95). This verse is in the midst of a passage that expresses that Jesus’s sacrifice is sufficient for us and there will be sanctification and forgiveness through his sacrifice. It aligns with what Paul writes confirming that we have been made clean from our sins through Christ. 

In the 2 Chronicles reading for today, some of that same theme of cleansing/forgiveness of sin can be seen. God appears to Solomon after the finishing of the temple and tells Solomon that He will be present in the temple. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” God has often reminded His people that He will forgive their sins. In the time of Solomon, the cleansing of sins was sought through prayer with an animal sacrifice. Hebrews shows that the sacrifices are no longer needed because of Christ and 1 Thessalonians encourages how to live out this cleansing of sins. 

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Paul discusses one of the ways to live a sanctified life. Paul reminds the readers to love one another which God has taught them previously. In the case of the Thessalonians they were doing well with showing this brotherly love to those around them. Because they are doing well, Paul encourages them to love even more. What a high praise to have received from Paul and great encouragement to continue not only in doing well but to do it even more! If Paul wrote you a letter inspired by God, would he praise you for the love you show others or would he need to teach you what it means to love those around you? 

            1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, “to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you” (HCSB).  This reminds me of Hebrews 12:14 which says, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (NASB95). A quiet life that pursues peace with all people can be a difficult life to lead. Living a quiet life that is minding your own business and seeking peace with those around you is centered around living out our sanctification. Through our forgiveness, we are called to love those around us which looks like living quietly, minding our own business, and seeking peace. 

            If you’re in any social setting where people are involved, it can be difficult to both love them deeply and also mind your own business while trying to pursue peace. Everyone has something that you won’t like about them. It might annoy you and get on your nerves. It could be anything from a difference of beliefs or political views, to the way someone pronounces a specific word. It’s really easy to get frustrated and lash out at someone who is annoying you, but that is not living out our sanctification. When a moment comes where you are feeling frustrated, annoyed, upset, or angry with someone, try to take a moment to remember the two verses from the previous paragraph. When in a place of disagreement or frustration, seeking peace and loving the person takes priority over being right and having your way. Showing grace and forgiveness will display the forgiveness you have received. It will also allow the person to feel loved and cared for. 

-Makenna Landry

Reflection:

  1. How do you live out sanctification in your life?
  2. When someone is getting on your nerves or you come to a disagreement, how do you seek to live peacefully and quietly with them?
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Peace & Joy – Even in Trials

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7 & 8

Poetry: Psalm 71

New Testament: Galatians 5:22

“And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”

This phrase shows up twice in chapter eight of 2 Samuel. The repetition of this phrase  tells me that it must be an especially important message that God wants us to hear. Reading this sentence calls to mind the passage in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NIV) We know this promise was not just reserved for the Israelites because this promise is referenced again in Hebrews 13 in a message to all believers: 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

I also want to throw in verse 6 for good measure since it really helps drive home the point.

6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”

I love that the passage in Psalm 71 is coupled with today’s reading. We can see that David is ever mindful of his source of help and strength and this whole passage reads like a recipe for having joy in the midst of suffering.

6 

From birth I have relied on you;

    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.

    I will ever praise you.

7 

I have become a sign to many;

    you are my strong refuge.

8 

My mouth is filled with your praise,

    declaring your splendor all day long. (NIV)

19 

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,

    you who have done great things.

    Who is like you, God?

20 

Though you have made me see troubles,

    many and bitter,

    you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth

    you will again bring me up.

21 

You will increase my honor

    and comfort me once more. (NIV)

Psalm 71 reminds us that we are not promised a trouble-free life. In fact, Jesus promises us just the opposite in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Notice the promise that we can have peace in spite of suffering and trouble. Peace is even a fruit of the Spirit listed in today’s passage of Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (NASB 1995). 

What is the key to having this peace? Abiding in Christ and holding fast to our hope that Jesus has overcome the world is key! 

We are further reminded of this promise in today’s passage of 2 Samuel 7 that unfolds God’s covenant with David that will be fulfilled through Jesus Christ:

12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” (NASB 1995)

No matter what life throws our way, we can have peace and joy by abiding in Christ and holding fast to the hope we have in him thanks to the loving plan of our Heavenly Father. May we be especially comforted by God’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. We are not alone in this journey and God—the maker of the universe—cherishes us and is with us every step of the way! Wow!

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (NASB 1995)

-Kristy Cisneros

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you needed to hear Psalm 71? How can you relate to David and his words?
  2. If you were to make a poster, memory card or bumper sticker of one or two verses from Psalm 71 which verses would you choose and why?
  3. Where would you rate your peace – even in the midst of trials? Where would you rate your joy? What can you do to increase your peace and joy? How can you abide more closely to Jesus, how can you trust more fully in His Father and yours?
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The Implications of Living in God’s Love pt. 3 

Old Testament: Jeremiah 35 & 36

Poetry: Proverbs 21

New Testament: 1 John 4

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18 

Implication #3: we don’t have to live in fear 

What is fear? 

Fear is often ugly, manifesting itself in ways that harm our sense of peace. Anxiety, worry, and terror are all results of fear hampering our mental health. What is not mentioned often (or, maybe I just don’t hear it) is that our spiritual health plays an essential role in fear’s impact on our lives. I think fear is generally caused by not knowing (with certainty) what is going to happen, what has happened, or what is happening. We worry after an autopsy is performed because we don’t know if the doctor will come back with “cancer” or “not cancer”. We stress when we cannot get in contact with our spouse because of what may or may not have happened to them while they were running errands. And we are terrorized by the creaking we hear in the ceiling above because we’re unsure of what it could be. In all these things, there is fear in not knowing.  

Love and fear 

Perhaps thinking about fear in this way will help unlock John’s meaning behind the phrase “perfect (or, complete) love casts out fear”. The beloved disciple tells us that fear is related to punishment and, particularly, within the context of this section of the letter, punishment on the day of judgment. So, the fear is not knowing “will I be punished, or will I be rewarded?”. Contemplating the difference between everlasting life versus everlasting death seems like a perfectly reasonable motive for fear. John, I think, recognizes this, which is why he wanted to assure his readers that there is no need to fear for the ones who are children of God, which is to say, the ones who love one another. Those who love one another are the ones who have understood and embraced the love of God. Only because God first loved us can we love Him and each other in the way commanded by Jesus. It is because of this love that God showed us that we can know there is no punishment for those who know Him—that is, those who have embraced Him, His son, and have His spirit working through them).  

Doesn’t stop at fear of punishment 

But not being afraid of judgment day is only part of the story. We can live life without fear and its many manifestations. As Paul says in one of his letters, there can be a peace beyond comprehension. It seems easy to have peace when everything is going right for us, but it is quite rare for this state of serenity to last for more than a few moments. The real trick is to have peace at all times despite what is going on around you, despite not knowing everything that has happened, is happening, or will happen. The key is abiding in and trusting the One who made all things and will, through His son, make all things new.   

For the one who believes and lives in the love of God, there is no fear because they know that God is going to one day redeem this broken world and that even if they suffer here and now, the never-ending glory experienced in the redeemed world will make anything faced now blur from focus and memory. What many of us fear now will have no power when one has placed their hope and life in the hands of a loving Father. The mark of a fearless child of God is that they love one another. If you aren’t yet living without fear, worry, or anxiety, it seems like John would suggest it is because you haven’t yet truly known the love of God and begun to live in that love and live it out. If that’s the case, return to the gospel written by the beloved disciple (John) and read of the one who reveals God’s great love for us. 

-Joel Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. What impact has fear had on your life? How have you let it control what you do or don’t do?
  2. How has God given us an example of how to love? What does it mean to you that He loved you first?
  3. The end of 1 John 4 says we can’t love God and hate our brother. How can you show better love for all your brothers and sisters? Who in particular do you need to love better?
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Fulfillment

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61-62

Poetry Reading: Psalm 89

New TestamentReading: James 3

Every city has a story. My parents and extended family grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and most school breaks, I went to Cleveland. While some refer to it as “the mistake on the lake”, I love the city! I like the architecture and history, the cultural diversity and ethnic foods, the Westside market, being right on Lake Erie, the Metropark system, a plethora of cute donut shops putting my hometown in southern Indiana to shame, and what is still my favorite ice cream place ever, Malley’s! But, while I enjoyed visiting and genuinely liked the place, I didn’t have the memories of what it used to be like or appreciate the changes as much as those in my family who had known its previous years. It seemed like around every corner though someone had a story. My Dad’s old high school is now an apartment complex. My Mom’s old church that she went to take pictures of is….shall we say…. no longer in a neighborhood welcoming cheerful little ladies in Oldsmobiles with cameras driving slowly down the street snapping photos and pointing. Now Cleveland hasn’t been destroyed like Jerusalem was, and it is still a great city, but as a person who never saw the “olden days”, I couldn’t appreciate all of the changes in the same way. In today’s reading of Isaiah 61, I think it is important to remember that Isaiah KNEW Jerusalem.  He had grown up there in its glory days, and he knew what it had been. Similar to stories of people who see their cities and countries devastated by war today, Isaiah had seen a city destroyed.  When he uses phrases like verse 4 “ancient ruins” and “devastations of many generations”, he could visualize exactly what it used to be.  How painful that must have been without the promise God gave him that he shared with others through his prophecy.

The Hebrew name for Jerusalem is Yerushalayim which I recently learned while attending a Bible study, is a combination of the Hebrew word “Yireh” (referencing an abiding place) and “Shalem” (meaning peace or complete). Hence….sometimes we hear “the City of Peace”. Hmm. If you haven’t heard much about Jerusalem yourself, a quick Wikipedia scan of facts doesn’t seem to cry out “city of peace” to me:

  • destroyed twice
  • besieged 23 times
  • attacked 52 times
  • captured and recaptured 44 times

And really, who could possibly keep count of the violence and destruction given – it’s one of the world’s oldest cities. But, it is also a city of current world conflict, not just the past. We see its involvement in current world events, and we can read of its historical and future significance in the Bible. In fact, Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible! It seems to be a place that is important to God. Eternal peace also seems to be important to Him, and while Isaiah saw the city destroyed once, Isaiah also prophesied the LORD’s message regarding a coming day of peace that we’ve read about several times this week already.

For those hearing this in Isaiah’s days (and for the next 700 years or so!) there would have been some questions. While we certainly still have our own questions today, Jesus himself takes care of explaining Isaiah 61 pretty nicely in Luke 4.

“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. And He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18 “the spirit of the lord is upon me,

because he anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

he has sent me to proclaim release to captives,

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to set free those who are oppressed,

19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

20 And He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all the people in the synagogue were intently directed at Him. 21 Now He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

 New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Lk 4:16–21.

I love to picture Jesus just unrolling the scroll written ~700 years before, skimming along to see….oh yes….this is one of the passages talking about me.

Some of Isaiah’s prophecies are already fulfilled, some are yet to achieve complete fulfillment in the New Jerusalem. But, in our generation, we have the privilege of looking back at so many already which have taken place to provide assurance and hope for the best one yet to come. We can thank God that through Jesus, we do have peace and reconciliation with Him, and one day, we will all live in true peace. Until then, may we all seek to know the word of God the way Jesus did, may we all seek to be peacemakers, and may we share the message of true peace with others in a world in desperate need.

Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth:

Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation is coming;

Behold His reward is with Him, and His compensation before Him.”

12 And they will call them, “The holy people,

The redeemed of the Lord”;

And you will be called, “Sought Out, A City Not Abandoned.

 New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Is 62:11–12.

-Jennifer Hall

Reflection Questions:

1. Jerusalem isn’t alone in not always being a place of peace. Our minds can be places of war and devastation sometimes. What worried, anxious, angry, depressed, un-peaceful weights should you share with the LORD through Jesus today?

2. How does looking back over history and seeing scriptures fulfilled boost your confidence in the Bible and its message? Are there questions you have that you could ask someone in the body of Christ?

3. How can you use the hope of Isaiah’s message to find peace with God and to be a peacemaker in situations in your life?

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Resting in Unfailing Love

Old Testament: Job 11 & 12

Poetry: Psalm 36

New Testament: John 16

There are few moments as peaceful as gazing at the stars on a clear evening.  While it is easy to feel insignificant as you consider expanse and distance of space, it can, ironically, make you feel closer and connected.  I contemplate how Abraham looked at the same stars as a promise of a nation, David pondered the same heavens in the Psalms, and wise men looked to the same sky to follow the sign that a Savior had been born.  While this backdrop has slightly changed since its inception from God, it is a constant source of contemplation of our Creator.

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 36:5, 7

How wonderful to know that our God’s love reaches to the heavens. It literally can find us up in a plane, on a rocket, or wherever the technology of our generation takes us; moreover, his love reaches as far as the heavens, meaning it can find us in any location at any time.  The same is true for his faithfulness.  It endures in any situation, setting, or circumstance.  This combination creates not only a love that can find us, but also a love that can sustain us.  The Love of God is our refuge.  He is our shelter from the storm and the sustenance through scarcity.  Jesus Christ speaks to the weariness of living in the present evil age when he pleaded, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28).” In the ransom of our Savior, and in the comfort of the Spirit of God, we can find rest.

“”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Rest isn’t shut-eye.  It isn’t “me” time.  Finding rest in the unfailing love of God means spending time walking and talking with our Father.  If you want rest, set your alarm a few minutes early to pray over your day and your mission field.  If you want rest, offer praise to God in the middle of the night in the exhaustion of new parenthood.  If you want rest, spend your break at work reading a devotion.  If you want rest, ask for direction in your next steps under the stars. Even though we are guaranteed trouble in this life, when we live in the shadow of our God, we can solace in His enduring love in any time, in any condition, and in any place.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you already know about the stars and heavens God has created? You might enjoy doing even just a few minutes of research on the stars. What impresses you most about the starry night sky God created?
  2. Have you experienced the rest and peace Jesus the Son of God offers? If you have, how would you explain it to someone who hasn’t? If you haven’t, how can you put yourself in a position to come to Jesus, listen to him and receive his peace and rest?
  3. How can you arrange your day – and night – to find more opportunities to find rest in the unfailing love of God?

(I am sorry this is arriving so late in your email inbox. I thought I had published this morning – but apparently had shut the computer before it completed. My apologies.)

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Itchy Ears and Slow Learners

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 20-22

Poetry: Psalm 7

New Testament: 1 Timothy 3

            Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with my ears.  I had surgery on my ears several times before I was 8.  I almost completely lost the hearing in my right ear- before the surgery the doctor told my parents that the infection was so bad when he got in there he might have to completely remove the contents of my ear rendering me completely deaf in that ear.  Fortunately, he was able to save my hearing.  But I’ve still had struggles.  The most irritating thing for me these days is my ears are itchy inside.  When they start itching I pull out the q-tips and scratch away—such sweet relief.  But then the next morning they itch again.  I went to my ear, nose and throat doctor and he looked inside and asked, “How often do you use q-tips?”  “Every day,” I said.  “You need to stop!”  And he explained the reason why.  Your ears naturally produce oils to keep them lubricated so they don’t dry out.  When you use q-tips it removes the oils, your ears dry out and become irritated… and itchy.  The thing I do to relieve the itchy ears – q-tips, is the cause of them continuing to be itchy.  The solution.  Stop using q-tips for a few days, allow the oils to return and lubricate the ears, and they will stop itching.  If I could just trust him and endure a few days of itchy ears without q-tips, then they would stop itching.  Problem solved.

            The first few days were miserable.  They itched so bad.  All I wanted to do was use a q-tip to scratch, but I resisted.  After a few days, sure enough just like the doctor promised, the itching stopped.  I had learned something new that made my life better.  Until I forgot.  Old habits die hard.  I took a shower and used a q-tip to dry out my ears (he told me to use a hair dryer instead).  The scratching felt familiar and good, and pretty soon my ears dried out and got itchy again.

            Change can be hard.  I can be a slow learner about some things, like q-tips and itchy ears.  In today’s reading we see Jehoshaphat could be a slow learner about some things as well.  In yesterday’s reading we saw that he got into trouble when he violated God’s instruction and entered into an unequal alliance with the king of Israel, and how it led to some problems.  Jehoshaphat learned a lesson, repented of his actions and things became better for a while.  He learned to trust God instead of trusting in an alliance with Israel’s idol-worshipping King Ahab.

            In today’s reading, we see how fully Jehoshaphat learned that lesson and learned to trust God.

            First, Jehoshaphat receives a report that a vast army of Ammonites and Moabites and others are coming to attack.  Jehoshaphat becomes “alarmed” at the news.  Does he reach out to the Israelites to become his allies?  That’s normally what would happen. (My ear itches, I’ll do what I always do and grab a q-tip).  But Jehoshaphat learned a valuable lesson in the last story.  So instead of entering into an alliance which God has forbidden, he decides to ask God for guidance.

            Jehoshaphat calls for a fast and all the people of Judah came together to seek God’s guidance.  They prayed to God: “God, we don’t know what to do, our eyes are on you.”  Notice it says all the men, women, and children stood before God in an act of humility, reverence, and solidarity, seeking his guidance and direction.

            Then something amazing happened. God answered them.  The Spirit of God came on Jahaziel, the prophet, who then brings a word from God. The message is clear: “Don’t be afraid or discouraged for the battle belongs to God.  Trust that God will defend you against your enemies.”  God instructs them to go toward their enemies, stand firm, and then watch what God will do.  Israel responded by worshipping and praising God with singing.

            What happened next? God set an ambush against them and then, the enemies of Judah all turn on each other and destroyed each other.  The people of Judah came to the overlook as God instructed so that God could show them the destruction of their enemies.  They collected the plunder and it took them 3 days to haul the plunder back to Judah.  As a result, their other enemies were afraid of God. God gave Jehoshaphat peace. (No more itchy ears when you follow the doctor’s orders and quit using the q-tips).

            But old habits are hard to break sometimes.  Jehoshaphat forgot to remember. Jehoshaphat made another alliance, and again there were consequences: “Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.’ The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.” 2 Chronicles 20:37.  Out came the q-tips again.

            Jehoshaphat isn’t the only slow learner.  This, it turns out was a pattern for generations of God’s people.  God would give people instructions, the people didn’t fully trust God and tried to do things their way, God sent consequences to discipline them, the people didn’t like the consequences so they repented and started obeying  God.  Things got better for the people…. Until they once again forgot to trust God and tried to do things their own way and the cycle repeated itself over, and over and over again.

            Fortunately, God was patient with slow-learning Jehoshaphat, and with slow-learning Judah.  Fortunately, the same God is also patient with us.  Psalm 103:8-12 reminds us:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

            Through Jesus Christ God mercifully provides us with a saving way to turn from our faithless and disobedient ways, to learn to trust and follow God’s ways.  Learning to trust God fully is a journey that can take time.  We still are tempted to grab that q-tip and begin scratching away at those itchy ears.  But if we can learn to simply trust God’s ways, no matter how itchy the ears or scary the invading armies might seem, we can trust and know that God will show us a way to peace and joy (and unitchy ears.)

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1.  Why do you suppose Jehoshaphat’s “itchy ears” was his difficulty depending on God and not alliances with other kings?
  2. What are some of your “itchy ear” areas where you have difficulty trusting God’s ways and try to do things your way (which usually makes things worse?)
  3. What is one step you can take today toward trusting God in this area of your life?
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Is it Worth It?

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 13 & 14
Psalms Reading: Psalm 35
*New Testament Reading: Romans 5

Some may be tempted to think the burden of living a Christian life just isn’t worth it.  Life is boring, you can’t have any fun, and all the rules make life almost not worth living.  If someone ever thought that, Romans 5 is for them.  This is an exciting chapter in an exciting book.

Romans 5 talks about justification – which refers to how a person can be declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ.  The first half of Romans 5 talks about the benefits of being justified, and the second half tells how justification is possible.  

You might think the benefits are just for the future, limited to eternal life in God’s future kingdom.  Think again.  There are real benefits to living a life completely sold out to God right here and right now.

Romans 5:1 starts out in the past tense, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Chapter 4 pointed out that being justified before God has always been through faith, not through works.)  If we’re living the life God called us to live, and we are living by faith, we have been reconciled to God through Jesus.  If we meet the criteria, whatever else we have done in our past is forgiven, and we have been declared righteous.

We’re told the alternative in Isaiah 48:22, “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked.”   Peace with God versus no peace.  Let me think, which should I choose?  I want peace!  When you live a life of sin, you’ve declared war against God.  If you’re currently at war with God, how’s that working out for you?  Consider peace.

Romans 5:2a continues by talking about the present, “through whom [speaking of Jesus] we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”  In the Old Testament, Jews didn’t have direct access to God.  Only priests could even enter the tabernacle, and only the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies only once a year.  And Gentiles couldn’t even come into the inner courtyard.  Through Jesus, we have gained access to God’s grace, and ultimately to God.  And this is for today, not just in some distant future.  We can boldly approach His throne of grace, and pray directly to God in Jesus’ name.

Romans 5:2b tells of the future “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”  When Jesus returns, the faithful will live eternally with God.  That’s not just a “hope” in the ordinary meaning of the word, that is our assurance.  And in the assurance for our future, we can rejoice today – no matter what problems today may bring.  Again, I want that tangible benefit today.  Especially when times are tough.

The next passage points out that we won’t be immune from suffering, just because we have a great relationship with God.  But instead of destroying us, that suffering will be for our benefit, building Christian character, and making us more firm in our future hope.

Romans 5:5 finishes this paragraph by saying, “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  As we wait for our future hope, we also have the love of God in our hearts today (that goes right along with the peace above).

The next section tells us that God loved us so much, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  We didn’t deserve it.  In fact, since we were at war with God, we deserved only death.  That shows how much God loved us, even when we were in open rebellion against Him.  So since we have been justified, we have been reconciled with God, and He will save us from His coming wrath through Jesus’ blood.

I’d say all of this is a powerfully compelling reason to live a Christian life today, completely sold out to God.  Even if there wasn’t a future reward (which there is!).

The rest of Romans 5 tells us how we are justified, but first, it reminds us how sin entered the world.  Adam sinned, and all of his descendants inherited his punishment – death.  You might think that isn’t fair.  Honestly, God was gracious in establishing this pattern, and I’ll explain why.  If each of us had the opportunity of never dying in this current age if we just didn’t sin, we’d still all sin, and all die.  So the result would be the same as inheriting our punishment from our first ancestor.  But since God established the pattern of one person earning something, and many others inheriting that… God was able to use the same pattern to have Jesus live the only perfect life, and to have his spiritual descendants inherit His reward.

This shows God’s incredible grace.  One sin caused innumerable deaths, even for those before Moses (when the law was given) who didn’t break a specific law of God.  But Jesus’ one act of obedience – paying the penalty for sin with his perfect life – was after a seemingly infinite number of sins.  Romans 5:19b says, “…so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

The bottom line is this:  Only Jesus deserves eternal life, because only Jesus lived the perfect life God requires.  Jesus wrote us into his will with his blood, leaving his reward (eternal life) to those who would believe in him and live the life God called them to live.  Jesus died to put the will in effect.  He now lives, and is distributing some of the benefits of that will to believers today including: 

  • Peace with God
  • Access to God’s grace and to God himself
  • Hope today for a future in God’s kingdom
  • Building Christian character through suffering
  • God’s love in our hearts

The final distribution of Jesus’ will will be at the Great White Throne Judgement when Jesus will judge the living and the dead.  Those whose names ARE NOT found in the book of life will be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  This is the second death.  Those whose names ARE found in the book of life will have God “wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4) And will get to live with God and Jesus in paradise forever.

So, is it worth it to live a Christian life?  As for me, absolutely!  Sign me up!  

What do you think?

-Steve Mattison

Reflection Questions

  1. Is it worth it to you to live a Christian life? Why? What benefits do you receive? What is the alternative and the consequences?
  2. What do you know about God from your reading today? Thank Him.
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