Peace Beyond Understanding

By Pat Hodges –

I have been listening to the news quite a bit as of late. Actually, probably too much. I’ve noticed a trend. It’s been affecting my emotions, mood, and general outlook on life.

With all the negative news that’s been flying around with what’s been taking place in our nation, the erosion of our freedoms, the lack of integrity in the political arena, the economic troubles we are facing, and everything else that’s been going on in those aforementioned areas, I realized that I’ve allowed it to compromise my peace.

In John 14:27 we read, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The peace the world gives is purely circumstantial. The peace the Lord gives is in fact an impartation of peace despite our circumstances or situations. This peace transcends what’s going on in the economic and political arenas of the world and is not subject to the natural laws of this world. This peace comes from heaven and therefore is subject only to the laws of heaven.

The law of heaven is founded upon His eternal Word. “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome” (Jeremiah 29:11 amp).

So where do we go from here?

Simple. Repent for unbelief. That’s the source of fear, unrest, or any other tag we might want to put on it, and then make the conscious decision to shift back over into His peace, which opens the door to enter into His rest.

Prayer: “Father, I repent for allowing myself to fall into unbelief concerning your Word and what Your will is for me. I make the conscious decision to shift back into your peace. Thank you for opening the door to enter into your rest where I can abide because of the work of the shed blood of your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Getting Technical

By Cheri Cowell –

A while back I decided it was time to merge my e-mail list into a program where I could send my e-mailed devotions while I’m on the road. Even though they touted this program as being user-friendly, I was about as friendly with it as a porcupine is with a dog. My first step was to import all the e-mail addresses- so far so good. Then I cut and pasted my devotionals into the text box- again, so far so good. Then I was asked to whom I wanted to send the test message? I inserted my own e-mail address and clicked, “send test message.” It then gave me a happy smile with the words, “test sent,” so I went to my e-mail and, you guessed it, no message. I figured I needed a break so I left the computer and when I returned my in-box was filled with messages from my readers. Over a hundred people signed up for my new e-mail program, and I don’t even know what they received! I am so glad God does not have a technical abilities test before we can enter heaven. There is only one test.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the do’s and don’ts of the faith journey that we forget the simplicity of it all. And just like my frustrations with the technicalities of a newsletter program that is supposed to make things easier, we can get lost in the technicalities of the Christian faith. But let us be reminded today, there is only one test, Christ Jesus in us. That’s as technical as it gets.

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for providing the test and the answer to the test. Help me remember when I get lost in the technicalities of the faith, that there is only one test and one answer- Christ Jesus in me.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor. 13:5 ESV).

“Why, God? Why?”

By Gillis Killam –

In meeting with some of my not-yet Believer friends, the conversation inevitably turns to some horrible crime that was committed, or some accident that claimed the lives of young people who still had their lives ahead of them.

Theirs are questions we all have; but it is interesting how people blame God in difficult times when they have never before acknowledged Him. In their anxiety, they look for other answers only to find that no one can answer the questions to their satisfaction.

If one doesn’t believe the Bible, then there is no answer. However, the Bible gives many answers and, of course, there are things known only to God. The scripture says, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

So we don’t know all the answers to why tragedies happen. In His wisdom He has kept some things from us; but we do know that God has a design for every life and it is our responsibility to discover what He wants us to be and do. It is not for us to question the Creator, for He is from eternity and we are in time where everything in this life comes to an end. He sees time and its ultimate outcome from His view, not from our limited reality. We can’t understand why a godly person dies and a wicked person lives out his life span. Isaiah gives one answer that I think applies to all.

“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death” (Isaiah 57:1-2 NIV).

The wise man in Ecclesiastes said this after surveying the things we can’t fathom, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV).

Prayer: O God, I don’t know why there are tragedies in life, but I do know that You know best.

Living a Life that Counts

By Gillis Killam –

Recently my sister passed away. Rhoda was the youngest of my three sisters. My wife and I traveled to Atlantic Canada for her memorial. I knew I would be giving a tribute to her, but found out later that I was also to lead the service and bring the sermon. I had been away from where she lived for many years, and although we visited from time to time, there wasn’t the connection I would like to have had.

She was not a well-known person outside of her family, friends and neighbors. By the world’s estimation she had no great accomplishments, nor was she considered a famous person; but she lived for what really counted in life. She lived for her family and they were there at her death-bed before she went home to be with her Lord. She had poured her life into those that God had given her; but I didn’t realize the profound impact she had on her neighbors and friends down through the years. One after another, people came to me and told me of her gentle care and love of helping others.

The life that counts is one that lives and cares in practical ways for others. This is what people will remember. It’s what our family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, friends and neighbors remember. The things she learned from Mom and Dad she passed on to the next generation.

Solomon wrote to his son: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV).

As I listened to the tributes to my sister given by her son and a granddaughter, I thought of these words, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).

QUOTE: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21).

Prayer: O God, Help me to be a good and faithful servant honoring You and helping others. AMEN

What Takes Your Breath Away?

By Peter Lundell –

What takes your breath away? For some of us that’s what defines the best of life.

Recently the snow was great in the mountains north of LA. I had to go. When I downhill ski, I gravitate toward two things. One is to go to the steepest, most ungroomed, most obstacle-covered slope and make my way down. The other is to crouch on a gradual descent toward a steep drop- off, where I can’t see anything beyond the ledge, and then fly over it in an OMG! instant as the slope appears beneath me.

Some people may suggest counseling, but enthusiasts know it’s stuff like that that keeps us from needing counseling.

When we have to give 100 percent focus to something—otherwise we court disaster—it has a liberating effect. We’re momentarily freed, as if suspended, from every other care in the world. And after the adrenaline rush, we can return to the world and its cares with renewed freshness.

Similarly, a stunning view can take our breath away. It encompasses us and demands 100 percent of our focus just because of its magnificence. And we are momentarily freed, suspended from cares. Renewed.

The same can happen when we fall in love. Or encounter God. Or even listen to the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

We live so much of our lives doing routine things, and we’d probably die of overload if we didn’t. Though “normal” and “routine” keep us sane day by day, they need to be invaded once in a while, lest we grow comatose.

So, what takes your breath away? What makes you stop and say, “Wow!”?

In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul says that God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (NIV) Are you enjoying what God gives you? I hope you say, “Wow!”

Prayer: “Father of my life and all good things, show me Your glory in this life I live. Open my eyes, my ears, and all my senses to be always alert to the ways You may amaze me. Lead me to live above the mundane, with eternity in my heart, and in tune with the glory of creation all around me.”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world…” (Psalm 19:1–4 NIV).

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