Peace on Earth
Good morning, Father! Thank You so much for the wake-up call! Your love never ceases to amaze me!
Such love, such wondrous love!
Such love, such wondrous love!
That God should love a sinner such as I,
How wonderful is love like this! ~ C. Bishop
Lord, as Karen and I sat down last night after a full day I introduced her to an a cappella ensemble of singers whom I have come to love. Their name is Voctave. We enjoyed listening/watching several of their songs on YouTube. One, in particular, touched me. Technically it is a Christmas song but its message rings true throughout the year. “This Is My Wish / Let There Be Peace on Earth” is its title (click on it to listen).
I know Your heart breaks, too, Lord, as You look across the world You so lovingly created and You see what we do to each other – the anger, the hatred, the violence, the back biting, the discord – it just never ends. It is rampant. And it is everywhere…even the church…
This past week’s events in Manchester come to mind – innocent people falling victim to distorted mindsets. My heart aches for all those whose lives have too quickly come to an end and their families who are left carry their loss for the rest of their lives.
We want peace. We strive for peace…but it is illusive. The enemy of our souls is about division, not unity. And peace will not come until he is vanquished once and for all. Peace in the here and now is found only in You and peace for all eternity is found only in You.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:18,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Lord, may this be my prayer. May I also pray with St. Francis of Assisi, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Use me to touch Your world today. Amen.
May 26th, Fri, 5:06 am
Truth
I’ve had lots of distractions this morning, Father. Help me to get my mind and heart set aright on You. We both know this time sets my day on the right course. Amen.
2 John 1-13 (<<click here)
Truth. It is important to all of us on a deeply personal basis. We demand it in our relationships – parents, children, work associates, etc. and in our society – community leaders, teachers, law enforcement, government leaders, and agencies. But, Lord, when it comes right down to it, many, if they feel they can get away with it are not truthful. Many shy away from the light of accountability.
Absolute truth. Many deny its existence. “That may be true for you but it’s not true for me.” No matter how we try and twist it – truth is truth. We try to deny the reality of who You are Lord but our denial cannot change the reality. Many attempt to refute the truth held within Your commands. We want to pick and choose what we hold to be true. We, even with our free will, do not hold the final say. We will foolishly hold to what we believe and may die doing so. But the day on which we all stand before You –truth will be told and there will be no denying it.
Lord, help me to seek and know the truth as found only in You. May I reject any variations. May I, moment by moment, walk closely by Your side. This is the only way I will know the truth – filtering it all through You. Amen.
May 24th, Wed, 9:18 am
That’s a Wrap
This day, Father, is from Your gracious hand and I give myself to You. Fill this empty vessel and use me to impact the world in a mighty way for You and Your kingdom. Amen.
1 John 5:13-21 (<<click here)
As the Apostle John is wrapping up his correspondence, he touches on the assurance of eternal life and the confidence we can have in coming to You in prayer, Lord. We are admonished to avoid sin and to hold firm to the indisputable fact of Your deity.
These things are all truly important, hence John’s reminder. But his final statement catches my attention.
“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” v21
…keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
- keep away – avoid, don’t even get close
- anything – all inclusive, no “what about this?” questions
- might – even if it hints at the possibilities, no matter how innocent
- God’s place – reserved for God and God alone, nothing else suffices, nothing can usurp His rightful place
Sin and the enemy of our souls can both be very sly and subtle. We must be wary. We must be alert. He will use and throw across our path whatever will trip us up.
Lord, help me to remain true to You. May I avoid those little things that I think don’t hurt anything. Enable me to keep my eyes and my heart focused on You. Amen.
May 23rd, Tues, 6:40 am
Thou Art with Me
Thank You, Father, for accompanying me yesterday through two worship services, travel to and from Newark as we spent some precious time with Karen’s aunt and uncle who is recovering from a stroke, a short visit with her mom and dad and then a little time with just the two of us before retiring for the evening. Nothing big, but nothing below You, Father. You are all about relationship and You are constantly investing in our relationship. What a wonderful gift to me. Thank You, Father.
Thinking along these lines, I am remembering something that happened when I was a sophomore in college. I was a part of a traveling ministry team. We were on the road, and being college students we didn’t have much money. In fact, one of the girls had no money that weekend. We stopped for a quick bite at McDonald’s and to make a long story short, You provided a sandwich, I believe, for her by granting one of us a peel off Monopoly game sticker!
It may not have been anything big but it made me think then and it makes me think now, 30+ years later, You love us. You created and maintain the universe! But You know and care for each of us. You take time for me. You are never too busy. I am not a bother. I am Your cherished child.
As I go through this day, Father, I know You go with me. A portion of Psalm 23:4 comes to mind and I learned it from the King James Version,
“… I will fear no evil… for thou art with me…”
Thou are with me… and I carry on. Amen.
May 22nd, Mon, 6:26 am
Straddling the Fence
Father, You woke me up a little earlier than normal this morning. I am eager to see what You have for me. Help me to be attentive – I don’t want to miss a thing.
1 John 5:6-12 (<<click here)
11And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
Many of us like to straddle the fence – we like to keep all of our options open. But with You, Lord, we have to choose. We are either in or we are out – there is no straddling. Having You gives us eternal life, not having You does not – no gray, just a very clear black or white.
But that surely goes against the grain of our societal mindset. We proudly view ourselves as inclusive – no one left out, no one excluded. Everybody’s happy…right? Uh…no. Lots of room for gray and straddling – no room for black and white and absolutes.
One major point to drive home – Lord, You are the originator of inclusivity. The gift of eternal life is extended to everyone – not some, not a few – every one. Not a single person is excluded by You. But we can exclude ourselves. We are not mindless slaves or puppets or robots. We have also been given the gift of free will. Everyone is included but we can choose to be excluded. We can choose to not abide by the rules but we cannot change the rules.
Lord, help me to be all-inclusive in my love as You are but may I always be clear on which side of the fence I stand. I…choose…You.
May 21st, Sun, 5:59 am