Peace Like a River

By Cheri Cowell –

 

The word ‘obey’ is not considered a positive word today. Ask children to tell you what the word ‘obey’ means and many would have no idea. We don’t stress obedience. Perhaps this is because we struggle with our own obedience. It feels like we are surrendering, giving up, even losing. That’s because at the heart of obedience is the requirement of humility. Humility asks us to bend and finally surrender our wills.

Yet, the amazing thing about obeying God is the peace that flows through you and your life when you finally surrender to him. Like a full-flowing river, peace will wash over your life when you quit struggling and finally surrender. When you obey and give up your right to be right, good things flow to you like rolling waves of the sea. When your will is fully surrendered to God, peace will flow in your life like a refreshing river.

“If you had obeyed me, you would have had peace like a full-flowing river. Good things would have flowed to you like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18 NCV).

Prayer: I admit I struggle with obedience and the humility required, but I long for my life to flow with peace. So, help me to bend and surrender my will to Yours, God, so good things will roll in my heart like a refreshing river.

Put On Your Shine

By Cheri Cowell –

 

Let’s be honest. Two subjects are lightning rods in the workplace—politics and religion. Some workplaces are zero-tolerance zones when it comes to religion. Even if you are blessed to work in a business run by those with Christian principles, the differences on religious views can be tricky to navigate. So as not to rock the boat, do you simply put your Christian values in a lockbox from nine-to-five?

Scripture gives us an alternative approach to the lockbox. We’re told to let our light shine. Light doesn’t use words. It doesn’t argue its point. Light simply brightens a room, and it helps show the way. How? It does it through its presence. When we let our inner light, which is Jesus Christ, shine, that interior light warms hearts. When we put on our Shine, we bring glory to God without a single word spoken. If you work where it is unwise to discuss your faith, determine to let your light do all the talking.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

Prayer: Help me remember that arguing my point is often less effective than simply putting on my Shine—Your Light shining through me.

Man at the Top

By Cheri Cowell –

 

When implementing big policy changes or sweeping shifts in workflow it is important to have everyone on the same page. Buy-in is necessary from the top all the way down to the bottom. If someone feels threatened by the proposed changes, if they don’t agree to set aside their own views and go with the flow, the plans can be sabotaged before they even begin.

We might have great plans for our futures. But if we have not cleared those plans with the Man at the Top, we are sabotaging our own plans. It is not as if we need God’s buy-in on our plans, but our plans must be aligned with His ways. This is ‘committing’ our plans, when we align them with the will of God. Only plans that have been committed to God will succeed. Only plans that are aligned with the Man at the Top will bring us peace. Have you set about on your own path, or have you committed your plans to God?

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3 NIV).

Prayer: I’ve made plans and then sabotaged them by not bringing them before You. Help me to commit my ways to You so You will help me succeed.

 

Wealth Envy

By Cheri Cowell –

 

“Daddy, are we rich?” the young daughter of a wealthy businessman asked.

“Well, we’re rich in health, a great family, and good friends.”

The girl shook her head. “No Daddy. I mean, do I have a lot of money?”

Without hesitation the wise father answered, “Until you are eighteen you do, but then you will be poor like I was and you’ll work your way up.”

Some of us are falling prey to wealth envy that teaches if someone has more than their fair share there is less for me. The Bible teaches another way of looking at wealth. Not only does God provide the wealth, he gives us the ability to use it wisely and to enjoy its blessings. Whether you have a storehouse of money or your riches are counted in other ways, God is the source of that wealth. So, thank him for the wealth you have, and then go a step further and praise God for what others have.

“As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NKJV).

Prayer: God, help me to avoid wealth envy, and instead enjoy the wealth I have because all good things come from You.

The Blessing Bunch

By Cheri Cowell –

 

Henry Ward Beecher is quoted as saying, “A proud man is seldom a grateful man because he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.” Those of us with a personality prone to the weakness of pride can also agree with the Apostle Paul. He said that although he knew what he wanted to do, he couldn’t seem to do it—at least not all of the time.

Pride tends to slip up when we feel unappreciated, unnoticed, overwhelmed, and taken advantage of—all signs of a self-focused person. God has given us a remedy for this sin. He tells us we should get our eyes off of ourselves and onto our blessings, especially those we receive through others. When we realize it is not “all about us,” it is easier to think of how we might be a blessing to others. When we put others first, we become a member of God’s Blessing Bunch, and soon discover that the blessings go both ways.

“When you think about them, let it be with great love in your heart because of all the work they have done. Let peace live and reign among you” (1 Thessalonians 5:13 VOICE).

Prayer: I want to be a part of Your blessing bunch, whose members take their eyes from themselves and who place others first.

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