Nov 15 Live in Peace

Father, Paul encourages us to “…live at peace with all men and be holy…”.  Allow “no bitter root to grow up.”  And to make moral decisions now because the consequences later may be too much to bear.

Because of my human nature, these are sometimes very difficult things to do.  When I feel wronged, or hurt, angry, disappointed or jealous; help me see from Your perspective so the root of bitterness doesn’t poison my relationships.  When circumstances seem unjust or aren’t going my way, diffuse my anger before it ”causes trouble and defiles many.”

Give me Your peace so I can reflect peace to those around me.  Help me see what is important and what is not so I will not be part of foolish arguments, but will be able to live at peace with men, and women too.

Father, do not let me put too much value in things that can be shaken: possessions, politics, governments, worldly fame.  Let me consider what You would have me do in response to any circumstance, rather than just react from an emotional place.

Help me live my life with the understanding that I am Your creation, here for Your purposes.  Give me guidance and wisdom to be the best wife, mother, daughter, friend, neighbor I can be.

Father, thank You that I can approach You every time I need support in any of these areas.  Not like in Moses’ time where anyone who touched even the mountain where You were had to be killed. You have done with Your precious blood what the blood of goats and lambs could not.  I can now come to You directly, and hear Your voice without perishing.

I want to live in peace as Paul suggests.  You are my help.  And there is none like You: The Prince of Peace.  Amen

Hebrews 12:14-29

Nov 15 Help me live in peace

 

“…live at peace with all men and be holy…”.  Allow “no bitter root to grow up.”  Make moral decisions now because the consequences may be too much to bear.

 

 

Because of my human nature, these are sometimes very difficult things to do.  Give me Your peace so I can reflect peace to those around me.  Help me see what is important and what is not so I will not be part of foolish arguments, but will be able to live at peace with men, and women too.

When I feel wronged, or hurt, angry, disappointed or jealous; help me see from Your perspective so the root of bitterness doesn’t poison my relationships.  When circumstances seem unjust or aren’t going my way, diffuse my anger before it ”causes trouble and defiles many.”

Let me consider what You would have me do in response to any circumstance, rather than just react from an emotional place.

Help me live my life with the understanding that I am Your creation, here for You purposes.  Give me guidance and wisdom to be the best marriage partner, parent, friend, neighbor I can be.

Father, thank You that I can approach You every time I need support in any of these areas.  Not like in Moses’ time where anyone who touched even the mountain where You were had to be killed. You have done with Your precious blood what the blood of goats and lambs could not.  Now I can come to You directly, and hear Your voice without perishing.

I want to live in peace as Paul suggests.  You are my help.  And there is none like You: The Prince of Peace.  Amen

Hebrews 12:14-49

Mar 5 All I am, All the time

 

Your greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  That is a mouthful!

 

The Greek words from this scripture where You quote the Hebrew words don’t have the exact meanings of the English translated words that are used today.  But the idea is that I need to use all that I have to adore, worship, spend time with and follow You, my Lord.  There is no element of my life that is to be without Your influence.

For my heart, I think my emotions need to be measured by You, so I don’t get overly carried away or swept up into something without thinking.  I need to be aware of where my passions are leading me and find a place of balance.

When discouraged or depressed, I need to fight back against that inner voice berating me with negativity, by speaking Your truth in scriptures about my identity in You:

  “I am a child of God” John 1:12

“I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.”  Colossians 3:12

“I am forever free from condemnation” Romans 8:1

I heard once that people spend the first half of their lives trying to satisfy body and mind and the second half trying to satisfy their soul.  That inner part of me that seeks peace and wholeness gains it by recognizing the truth of Your Word.  So I will learn the real peace and wholeness that comes from You, not the world’s counterfeit found in popular philosophies.

My mind needs to seek “godly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”  The wisdom of the world is based on the logic of the mind, and the weight of pros and cons are only understood by a limited human viewpoint.

Godly wisdom is what must guide my choices and decisions.  As I seek this wisdom, protect my mind from thoughts that do not come from You.

I dedicate my strength to Your purposes: the strength of my body, of my will, my self-determination.  Help me realize when my strength is enough, and rely on Your strength to work through my weakness.

And I need to do this all the time?!  It is obvious that I can never achieve this on my own.  I will never be able to love You this perfectly.

Fortunately, “with God, all things are possible!”  So I rely on You, Lord, to guard and guide my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength; and to use them for Your glory.  This is how I desire to be obedient.  Amen

Mark 12:29-30; James 3:17; Mark 10:27

Sept 17 Shalom Shalom

“You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.”

I have always loved this wonderful promise and beautiful picture of Your provision.

There is also an accountability piece that reminds me that I have a responsibility if I desire that promised perfect peace: to keep my mind focused on You.

I do forget, especially during times of trouble and hardship like this cancer, to keep focused on You. I get distracted by worrying over things I cannot control. Negative emotions draw me deeper into fear and discouragement, the opposite of peace.

But the realization that I am not feeling Your peace pulls me back into this verse, reminding me to refocus my attention.

“You” – the Creator of the universe. You, who created my mind and who gave me the ability to know You and to trust You. You: Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, who holds everything together by Your Word.

“will” – absolutely resolve by the force and power of who You are

“keep” – the Hebrew word “natsar” meaning to guard with fidelity, watch over, preserve, maintain, guard from dangers

“peace” – wholeness, wellness, purposeful living in joy, with abundant provision, harmony, safety, security summed up in the Hebrew word “shalom.”

“in perfect peace” – the Hebrew doesn’t say perfect peace. It says “shalom shalom” or peace peace. This is a concept of peace upon peace. It is illustrated by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea that lap up onto the coast of Israel. It signifies an unending peace like the waves at the shore.

A wave will move up on the sand and crash, spilling out it’s water, stretching up the beach. It begins to recede back to the waters’ edge, but before it reaches the low point, another wave overtakes it and brings it back up onto the beach, covering the sand afresh with the spreading water; one after another, wave upon wave, endlessly.

Your perfect peace is like that. When I turn away from being consumed with whatever problem I have, and focus on You, You bring a wave of calmness, wholeness, healing to me.

It covers the situation and creates in me that sense of security. And just when it seems that I may be losing it, exposing my fears again, You send another wave of Your “shalom” over me, to cover me anew. This continuing “re-covering” is the perfect peace You promise.

Father, thank You for Your wonderful provision.

It doesn’t mean the problem goes away. But it does mean that You are with me, and that the problem doesn’t get the better of me. And because my mind is focused on You, I can see more from Your perspective; things, solutions I wouldn’t have thought of.

“I will trust in You forever, for You, The Lord, are the Rock eternal.” Amen

Isaiah 26:3-4

Mar 5 All I am, All the time

 

Your greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” That is a mouthful!

 

 

 

The Greek words from this scripture quoting the Hebrew words don’t have the exact meanings of the English translated words that are used today. But the idea is that I need to use all that I have to adore, worship, spend time with and follow You, my Lord. There is no element of my life that is to be without Your influence.

For my heart, I think my emotions need to be measured by You, so I don’t get overly carried away or swept up into something without thinking. I need to be aware of where my passions are leading me and find a place of balance.   When discouraged or depressed, I need to fight back against that inner voice berating me with negativity, by speaking Your truth in scriptures about my identity in You:

“I am a child of God” John 1:12

“I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.” Colossians 3:12

“I am forever free from condemnation” Romans 8:1

I heard once that people spend the first half of their lives trying to satisfy body and mind and the second half trying to satisfy their soul. That inner part of me that seeks peace and wholeness gains it by recognizing the truth of Your Word. So I will learn the real peace and wholeness that comes from You, not the world’s counterfeit found in popular philosophies.

My mind needs to seek “godly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”; whereas the wisdom of the world is based on the logic of the mind and often the weight of pros and cons as they are understood by a limited human viewpoint. Godly wisdom is what must guide my choices and decisions. As I seek this wisdom, protect my mind from thoughts that do not come from You.

I dedicate my strength to Your purposes: the strength of my body, of my will, my self-determination. Help me realize when my strength is enough, and rely on Your strength to work through my weakness.

And I need to do this all the time?! It is obvious that I can never achieve this on my own. I will never be able to love You this perfectly. Fortunately, “with God, all things are possible!” So I rely on You, Lord, to guard and guide my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength; and to use them for Your glory. This is how I desire to be obedient. Amen

Mark 12:29-30; James 3:17; Mark 10:27

Nov 15 Help me live in peace

Father, Paul gives some tall orders here: “…live at peace with all men and be holy…”. Allow “no bitter root to grow up.” Make moral decisions now because the consequences may be too much to bear.

Because of my human nature, these are sometimes very difficult things to do. Give me Your peace so I can reflect peace to those around me. Help me see what is important and what is not so I will not be part of foolish arguments, but will be able to live at peace with men, and women too.

Being holy means to be set apart or to be dedicated to You. Help me live my life with an understanding I am Your creation, here for You purposes. Give me guidance and wisdom to be the best wife, mother, daughter, friend, neighbor I can be. And when You give me direction, give me the focus and energy to follow through on whatever it is. If I am not inclined to be obedient, change my view, my inclination.

When I feel wronged, or hurt, angry, disappointed or jealous; help me see from Your perspective so the root of bitterness doesn’t poison my relationships. When circumstances seem unjust or aren’t going my way, diffuse my anger before it ”causes trouble and defiles many.” Let me consider what You would have me do in response to any circumstance, rather than just react from an emotional place.

These are tough assignments. And Father, I need Your help in my life right now! Thank You that I can approach You every time I need support in any of these areas. You are my help. And there is none like You. Amen

Hebrews 12:1-4

Sept 24 Strengthen me

“O Lord, out of Your glorious riches, would You strengthen me with the power through Your Spirit in my inner being.” Father, You own the cattle on a thousand hills, the earth and everything in it is Yours. And not just Your right of Sovereignty over all things, but the richness of Your character allows You to pour over me all that I might ever need.

Father, would You strengthen me:

physically – give me Your healing in all the areas of my body where there is illness or weakness.   Increase my strength and stamina to be able to do the work You set before me;

mentally – when I need to focus, or clear my mind of distracting thoughts. Give me the ability and the diligence to take every thought captive to You, and to be alert to dangers around me. Do not let my thinking become muddled by the vain philosophies of man or the half-truths and lies of the evil one;

emotionally – give me relief from discouragement, sadness, fear, anger, guilt, anxiousness. Help me deal with my circumstances according to Your wisdom and not be led by my emotions;

spiritually –bolster my faith with the remembrance that no matter what – You are in control – that even if the fig tree does not blossom, no grapes appear on the vine, the olive crop fails and the fields produce no crops – I can still rejoice in You! And spiritual strength to recognize and combat the enemy, dressed in my spiritual armor.

Father, would You do this so that “You will dwell in my heart through faith”. Help me to “be rooted and established in love”. Lord, like a tree planted by the water, let my spiritual roots go down deep into the soil so I can draw deeply of Your love. You are love, so You are the true source of love that can strengthen and fill me. Father, help me understand Your love: “how wide and long and high and deep” it is. I ‘understand’ Your love in that I read about it. But Father, help me really know it, in my heart and in my spirit; not just in my head.

When I can fathom Your love, I will have wisdom that surpasses knowledge. And I will be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of You.”

Thank You that “You are able to do immeasurably more that I can ask or even imagine, according to Your power that is at work in me.” I give You all the glory and praise, for ever and ever. Amen

Ephesians 3:16-21

 

Mar 5 All I am…All the time

Your greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” That is a mouthful!

The Greek words from this scripture quoting the Hebrew words don’t have the exact meanings of the English translated words that are used today. But the idea is that I need to use all that I have to adore, worship, spend time with and follow You, my Lord. There is no element of my life that is to be without Your influence.

For my heart, I think my emotions need to be measured by You, so I don’t get overly carried away or swept up into something without thinking. I need to be aware of where my passions are leading me and find a place of balance.   When discouraged or depressed, I need to fight back against that inner voice berating me with negativity, by speaking Your truth in scriptures about my identity in You:

“I am a child of God” John 1:12

“I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.” Colossians 3:12

“I am forever free from condemnation” Romans 8:1

I heard once that people spend the first half of their lives trying to satisfy body and mind and the second half trying to satisfy their soul. That inner part of me that seeks peace and wholeness gains it by recognizing the truth of Your Word. So I will learn the real peace and wholeness that comes from You, not the world’s counterfeit found in popular philosophies.

My mind needs to seek “godly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”; whereas the wisdom of the world is based on the logic of the mind and often the weight of pros and cons as they are understood by a limited human viewpoint. Godly wisdom is what must guide my choices and decisions. As I seek this wisdom, protect my mind from thoughts that do not come from You.

I dedicate my strength to Your purposes: the strength of my body, of my will, my self-determination. Help me realize when my strength is enough, and rely on Your strength to work through my weakness.

And I need to do this all the time?! It is obvious that I can never achieve this on my own. I will never be able to love You this perfectly. Fortunately, “with God, all things are possible!” So I rely on You, Lord, to guard and guide my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength; and to use them for Your glory. This is how I desire to be obedient. Amen

Mark 12:29-30; James 3:17; Mark 10:27