Prince of Peace
Topic: Peace
II Timothy 2:22 GW Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God's approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.

It is interesting to me that the passage doesn't say "be" faithful, loving, peaceful. It says pursue these things. They don't just happen. We have to actively cultivate and incorporate them into our lives. But we can't do it on our own.

Faith, love, peace starts in God's heart. Only as we have a foundation in Him will our hearts be pure that we can pursue.

There is no peace without the Prince of Peace. Without Him all peace initiatives will fail.

Coward?
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Attitude
II Timothy 1:7-8a GW God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord ...

In an increasingly hostile to faith culture, it is
Sometimes easier to hide our light and "go along to get along," but doing so is not only a compromise, it destroys our soul.

Staying close to Jesus and sharing our faith are essentials of who we are--or should be--as Christ-followers. The world needs the message of hope and salvation. Do I care enough about others and their eternal destiny to openly live and share God's truth in love?

Psalm 139:23-24 GW Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.

Made For Relationship
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Generosity
Psalm 138:3 GW When I called, you answered me. You made me bold by strengthening my soul.

We like to think we're self-sufficient and don't need anyone else. Reality check. We are extremely dependent on others.

How many things can we do that does include the efforts of others in some fashion from eating to working, we are dependent. God created us for community, for fellowship, for relationship--starting with a relationship with and a dependence on our Creator and Savior Jesus.

Am I too stubborn to seek help? Or to sense when someone else could use a hug, a listening ear, a helping hand?

Do My Actions Celebrate Sin
Mood:  down
Topic: Sin
Jeremiah 4:22 Mkjv For My people are foolish; they have not known Me; they are stupid sons, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

As Americans we still have a form of "religion," but our focus is self-centered, selfish and self-indulgent. We justify any sin from what we watch to actions that hurt and destroy others (such as adultery, fornication, divorce, abuse, etc.). Media celebrates sin.

Our lives disintegrate with the amount of acceptance of ways that are anything but Godly. Do I fill my mind with God's ways or evil? On what do I base my thoughts and choices? Is God truly the foundation of my life?

Time to reassess what I allow into my life.

Wallow or Something Better
Mood:  blue
Topic: Choices
Psalm 136:26 GW Give thanks to the God of heaven because his mercy endures forever.

I don't feel much like being thankful today. I'd like to count my miseries instead of my blessings. But I know wallowing in my complaints leads only to more misery, to anger and to depression.

I choose to remember that God is a good God, to deliberately count my blessings, reach beyond my hurt to those who also hurt. In doing so, I find joy and the path to healing and wholeness.

Easy? No. Doable? With God's help, I chose life and joy and hope.

May you chose the same.

Choices I Make
Topic: Choices
Jeremiah 2:19 GW Your own wickedness will correct you, and your unfaithful ways will punish you. You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you if you abandon the LORD your God and do not fear me," declares the Almighty LORD of Armies.

When things don't go our way, how often do we blame God? It is easier to play victim than to take responsibility for our words, actions and choices. But, how often have we caused our own problems? How often do we admit culpability?

Good choices breed good and positive attitudes and actions. Bad choices, including negative words and actions, only make us feel bad and depress ourselves and everyone around us. Choices lift up or tear down.

What choices will I make today? Which honors God, myself and others?

Remember Who I Am
Mood:  down
Topic: Following Jesus
I Timothy 1:15 GW This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner.

We're not OK. We're not inherently good. Quite the opposite. We tend to gravitate to the lowest common denominator. It is easy to stray, to sin. Hard to stay pure and holy.

But it is only in recognizing our need that we truly understand our need of a savior.

I am a sinner who has been saved by great love and great sacrifice.

Lord, help me not to forget who I am without You that I might not walk away into disgrace and sin, but wholly lean upon You. Amen.

WORDS SEASONED WITH SALT
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Attitude
Psalm 133:1 GW A song by David for going up to worship. See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

As Christians we do tend to fight and fuss way too much over those aspects of life and faith that do not matter all that much. We're supposed to be known by our love not war-like rhetoric.

On the other hand, we're also not to discard Biblical principles and mandates or the basic truths of Scripture just to get along with those who disagree.

There is a middle ground of holding fast to the Word, letting God's love and grace dictate our attitudes, words and actions. Words and actions, seasoned with salt.

There is Hope
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Eternity
Isaiah 60:20 GW Your sun will no longer go down, nor will your moon disappear. The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sadness will be over.

No matter what happens here, if we cling to Jesus and trust Him, there will come a time when light replaces darkness, healing replaces pain, and joy replaces sorrow.

I grieve for those who have no hope, who believe this is all there is. Such people should make us sad, not angry and drive us closer to Jesus in prayer.

Thank You, Jesus, that there is more, there is hope. Show me how best to share Your hope with others. Amen.

ONE REAL SOURCE OF HOPE
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Fear
Psalm 130:3-5 GW O LORD, who would be able to stand if you kept a record of sins? But with you there is forgiveness so that you can be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and with hope I wait for his word.

Fear not as in abject terror, but reverence, honor, respect, worship. Jesus loves us so much He isn't waiting around seeking to make a list of every mistake, bad choice or sin. He doesn't need to focus on wrongs, often not near as much as we do ourselves.

Because He loves us and seeks our ultimate good, God seeks to bring us to a point of acknowledging our sin, asking Him for help. God delights in forgiving those genuinely seeking help and guidance.

Why would I refuse my one real source of help?

Psalm 130:7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, because with the LORD there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness.

Exhausted
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Strength
Isaiah 46:3-4 GW Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, the few people left of the nation of Israel. I've carried you since your birth. I've taken care of you from the time you were born. Even when you're old, I'll take care of you. Even when your hair turns gray, I'll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I'll support you and save you.

This morning I am cold and absolutely exhausted, but still face a busy day.

I am thankful that now and always I can rest in the security of God's loving arms, knowing He keeps His promises.

TY, Jesus. Amen.

No Other God
Mood:  d'oh
Topic: Following Jesus
Isaiah 45:18, 22 GW The LORD created the heavens. God formed the earth and made it. He set it up. He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. This is what the LORD says: I am the LORD, and there is no other. ... Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.

God created the world for us. He wanted us to be here. He made us. Do we really think we can ignore Him with impunity? Do we really think anything or anyone else can save us, give us hope, or help us?

Help me Jesus, bow before You as Creator, Savior, and Lord.

Future Joy
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Celebrate!
Isaiah 35:10 GW The people ransomed by the LORD will return. They will come to Zion singing with joy. Everlasting happiness will be on their heads as a crown. They will be glad and joyful. They will have no sorrow or grief.

Whatever happens here, no matter how bad, it isn't all there is. It we serve Christ and honor Him, there will come a "payday" where joy will replace sorrow. Something to focus on when life isn't all we hoped. After all, God is good and He is ultimately in control.

Simple Principles
Mood:  d'oh
Topic: Control
Isaiah 24:5-6a GW The earth is polluted by those who live on it because they've disobeyed the LORD'S teachings, violated his laws, and rejected the everlasting promise. That is why a curse devours the earth, and its people are punished for their guilt....

Over and over God's Word comes down to simple principles. Honor and serve God to blessing, or reject Him and His guidance and lose His protection and blessing.

We live in a time of personal and national rejection and reputiation of our Judeo-Christian heritage. We're seeing, with the removal od God's protecting hand, horrendous evil. But you and I do not need to follow the national trend. As for me and my house, we can serve the Lord.

Isaiah 25:1, 4a GW O LORD, you are my God. I will highly honor you; I will praise your name. You have done miraculous things. You have been completely reliable in carrying out your plans from long ago....You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rain, and shade from the heat. ...

No Security Without God
Mood:  accident prone
Topic: Strength
Psalm 125:2 GW As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people now and forever.

We can be joyful knowing our security isn't in military might, weapons or experience. Our real security is relying on God, trusting Him with our physical as well as our spiritual needs and protection.

If we as individuals and as a nation honor Jesus as Lord, God will stand as our security, if we turn our back on Him...

Even as my nation refuses to acknowledge You, Lord, help me trust in You--no matter what.

Isaiah 12:2 GW Look! God is my Savior. I am confident and unafraid, because the LORD is my strength and my song. He is my Savior."