“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
One of the things the Bible assures us is part of a relationship with God is eternal life. The other thing we discover as we read the New Testament is that Jesus Christ conquered death by rising to new life. He offers us the hope of resurrection into the kingdom of God as well. We no longer have to fear death, it is nothing more than a moment of transition from one thing to the next.
But, that’s the crux of it, isn't it!
We don’t like those transition moments. No matter how bad things are at our old job, we hang in there until the pain level has reached far past what we should have tolerated, just because we don’t want to have to trust that a new job will be much better for us. We learn to live with a certain level of emotional pain rather than make a change because we are so fearful of change.
What if it is worse than what we are living with right now? What if it is just more of the same?
I’ve asked the question over and over again of people – how comfortable are you with change? Some people embrace it, knowing that new experiences whether good or bad will always bring about a benefit; if nothing other than learning more about yourself. But, for the most part, people dread change and avoid it at all costs. Only when it is thrust on them will they force themselves through and even then, they complain and whimper all along the path they walk.
There is nothing more difficult than dragging (encouraging … whatever) a group of people through change. As a conglomerate, the process is even more difficult because they vocalize their fears to each other and things become real in their minds.
But Jesus calls us to accept that death no longer has any hold on us, that a life of peace can be ours today and a life of eternal peace can be ours tomorrow.
I can accept that change in my life.
June 16 - Romans 5:1
Sunday, June 16, 2013
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Justification is a term Paul uses to describe “being made righteous.” Notice that he emphasizes here that is something done by faith. In other words, the work has been done by God … all we have to do is believe.
This is one of those things that Christians insist on making much too difficult. In order to be saved, make it to heaven, be born again, walk among the saints … whatever you want to call it … all you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross to save you from your sins. It’s really nothing more than saying “yes” to God.
Sin is the thing that separates us from God, so … the letters of Paul and others in the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ are guidelines by which we can remain in relationship with God. However, if we do all of those things but never say yes to the gift of salvation God offered to us, that doesn't make us anything more than a good person. We've worked way too hard for … nothing in the overall scheme of things.
Paul tells us over and over that because we have said “yes,” and have faith that Jesus Christ is our Savior, we end up doing the things that continue to keep us in a relationship with God because we love Him.
Once we make that decision to say yes to God and he forgives us all of the sin that we have committed in our lives, Paul tells us that we have peace with God.
It’s as easy as that. Jesus Christ didn't come to earth in order to make it more difficult to find our way to God; he came to make it as easy as possible. He wants us to find peace. He wants there to be peace on earth.
Say yes.
June 15 - Acts 10:34-38
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Peter said, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
In Isaiah, we read, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Jesus’ arrival meant peace!
Isn't it fun to read Peter’s words and realize that he is helping his listeners remember the experiences they witnessed when Jesus was alive? These people walked beside him as he performed miracles. They listened as he spoke with the Pharisees. They were there when he was crucified and they heard the good news that he lived again, never to face death and that this resurrection was available to everyone. Salvation had come to the earth through one man. No one need fear death or be bound by sin again. Freedom was theirs. Freedom is ours.
Jesus came to proclaim peace to Israel, to a nation besieged with war and persecution. He came to bring salvation to those who would listen and follow him. He came to bring good news that it is God who is sovereign and it is God who will sit upon the throne.
God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and from then on, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection transformed the world.
Jesus’ arrival on earth meant peace!
Jesus’ arrival in our hearts means peace for us as well. He brings good tiding and salvation to each of us as we acknowledge that our God reigns!
In Isaiah, we read, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Jesus’ arrival meant peace!
Isn't it fun to read Peter’s words and realize that he is helping his listeners remember the experiences they witnessed when Jesus was alive? These people walked beside him as he performed miracles. They listened as he spoke with the Pharisees. They were there when he was crucified and they heard the good news that he lived again, never to face death and that this resurrection was available to everyone. Salvation had come to the earth through one man. No one need fear death or be bound by sin again. Freedom was theirs. Freedom is ours.
Jesus came to proclaim peace to Israel, to a nation besieged with war and persecution. He came to bring salvation to those who would listen and follow him. He came to bring good news that it is God who is sovereign and it is God who will sit upon the throne.
God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and from then on, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection transformed the world.
Jesus’ arrival on earth meant peace!
Jesus’ arrival in our hearts means peace for us as well. He brings good tiding and salvation to each of us as we acknowledge that our God reigns!
June 14 - John 16:33
Friday, June 14, 2013
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
This is one of those truths I believe most Christians I know hold on to throughout everything they face … Jesus has overcome the world.
It is the hope that surpasses our stress and our fear. The hope that there is something beyond the world in which we live … something so much more than we know in the reality of today.
When we talk about sin … Jesus has overcome sin.
When we talk about death … Jesus has conquered death.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4, New International Version).
Isaiah says, “he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 25:8).
This is the hope we hold onto and this is what brings us peace.
We don’t find this kind of peace within ourselves, we only find it in Jesus Christ.
This is one of those truths I believe most Christians I know hold on to throughout everything they face … Jesus has overcome the world.
It is the hope that surpasses our stress and our fear. The hope that there is something beyond the world in which we live … something so much more than we know in the reality of today.
When we talk about sin … Jesus has overcome sin.
When we talk about death … Jesus has conquered death.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4, New International Version).
Isaiah says, “he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 25:8).
This is the hope we hold onto and this is what brings us peace.
We don’t find this kind of peace within ourselves, we only find it in Jesus Christ.
June 13 - John 14:27
Thursday, June 13, 2013
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Jesus promised the peace that the host of angels proclaimed at his birth – the salvation of the world.
Presidents and world leaders declare peace when a war comes to a close; but it doesn’t last long. Before too long, a man of peace is replaced by another and another who have no memory of times when wars disturbed their country and soon, greed and corruption leads to unrest.
In Isaiah 11, we read:
“The wolf will live with lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goad, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-19, New International Version).
That is what peace looks like. While Creation existed in paradise, that is what peace looked like. When God restores creation, peace will look like that once more.
Jesus promised the peace that the host of angels proclaimed at his birth – the salvation of the world.
Presidents and world leaders declare peace when a war comes to a close; but it doesn’t last long. Before too long, a man of peace is replaced by another and another who have no memory of times when wars disturbed their country and soon, greed and corruption leads to unrest.
In Isaiah 11, we read:
“The wolf will live with lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goad, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-19, New International Version).
That is what peace looks like. While Creation existed in paradise, that is what peace looked like. When God restores creation, peace will look like that once more.
June 12 - Luke 2:13-14
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Do those words conjure up images of children dressed in white robes with tinsel wrapped wings attached to their backs and tinsel halos surrounding their heads?
Since Dad was a pastor, I grew up in the midst of Christmas program chaos throughout my childhood – and even into adulthood. Mom began writing Christmas programs and directing them long before I did much more than stand with my little Sunday school class and look cute while singing “Away in A Manger.”
No matter how many times I heard those words, though, my heart leapt at the arrival of a heavenly host, even if they were junior high girls who were more interested in looking pretty for their parents and grandparents.
Because with this arrival, the news of Jesus’ birth had just been brought to humanity. Every single time we approach Christmas and the reality of His birth sets in once again, I feel the same hope and expectation in my heart – that we have another opportunity to tell the world about His love.
Take the opportunity today to share the love that you know because of your relationship with Jesus. Choose to be less judgmental and more loving; smile at a child, reach out and touch someone who seems to be untouchable, send a quick note to someone who might be feeling lonely, call an old friend, buy donuts for your fellow employees. Show love, remember the excitement that surrounds you with the anticipation of remembering Christ’s birth.
Peace … on earth. Bring it!
Do those words conjure up images of children dressed in white robes with tinsel wrapped wings attached to their backs and tinsel halos surrounding their heads?
Since Dad was a pastor, I grew up in the midst of Christmas program chaos throughout my childhood – and even into adulthood. Mom began writing Christmas programs and directing them long before I did much more than stand with my little Sunday school class and look cute while singing “Away in A Manger.”
No matter how many times I heard those words, though, my heart leapt at the arrival of a heavenly host, even if they were junior high girls who were more interested in looking pretty for their parents and grandparents.
Because with this arrival, the news of Jesus’ birth had just been brought to humanity. Every single time we approach Christmas and the reality of His birth sets in once again, I feel the same hope and expectation in my heart – that we have another opportunity to tell the world about His love.
Take the opportunity today to share the love that you know because of your relationship with Jesus. Choose to be less judgmental and more loving; smile at a child, reach out and touch someone who seems to be untouchable, send a quick note to someone who might be feeling lonely, call an old friend, buy donuts for your fellow employees. Show love, remember the excitement that surrounds you with the anticipation of remembering Christ’s birth.
Peace … on earth. Bring it!
June 11 - Luke 1:78-79
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Zechariah – prophesying over his baby son, John:
“You will become a prophet of the most high … because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
John wasn't called to be the Messiah, but he had some big prophetic shoes to fill. Can you imagine growing up under the mantle of these words? But, God knows whom he calls and he prepares us long before we have to face whatever it is that is in front of us.
The great news of Jesus Christ’s arrival was that he would not only conquer sin and set aside our bondage to it, but that he would conquer death as well.
In ancient Israel, the only knowledge they had of eternity was to be remembered by your descendants. Notice the oral tradition that recited long lists of ancestors. They didn't know how to hope for life after death.
But that no longer applies. We have been given the good news of Jesus Christ! We know what that peace can look like and what that hope will bring us.
So … if you know and live in that peace and hope … tell someone.
“You will become a prophet of the most high … because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
John wasn't called to be the Messiah, but he had some big prophetic shoes to fill. Can you imagine growing up under the mantle of these words? But, God knows whom he calls and he prepares us long before we have to face whatever it is that is in front of us.
The great news of Jesus Christ’s arrival was that he would not only conquer sin and set aside our bondage to it, but that he would conquer death as well.
In ancient Israel, the only knowledge they had of eternity was to be remembered by your descendants. Notice the oral tradition that recited long lists of ancestors. They didn't know how to hope for life after death.
But that no longer applies. We have been given the good news of Jesus Christ! We know what that peace can look like and what that hope will bring us.
So … if you know and live in that peace and hope … tell someone.
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