Tag: Peace

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Imagine

Daily Reading

John 16-18

Daily Thought

Jesus stirred up conflict, but in him the world would find peace, and he told us so, “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” (John 14:27). 

On Christmas Eve 1914, in the midst of World War I, silence replaced gunfire between the Germans and the British. Then singing sprang from the German side; a Christmas Carol, Stille Nacht (Silent Night). A placard was raised above a trench, “YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT.” The British responded, “MERRY CHRISTMAS.” Soldiers emerged, cautious at first, then joyfully. Gifts were exchanged, chocolate cake and wine, photos of families. A soccer game erupted (British 3, Germans 2). And peace. It was Christmas, after all. 

It didn’t last. The generals did not like it. It was war, after all. But for a day there was “peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

John, the Beatle, not the writer of this Gospel, invites one to “Imagine there’s no heaven.” Sorry, John, “all the people living life in peace” will only happen when heaven happens. Why in this world would I Imagine otherwise?

Daily Prayer

God of peace, I look forward to the day the world is brought into order, when the lion lays with the lamb, when there are no enemies, no war, no hatred, no tears. No death.

Your Son brought Your Kingdom near. Embrace me with the peace You bring to my life.I know my future and have nothing to fear because my eternity rests in You.

Amen

Daily Question

What brings you the most peace?

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Peace

Daily Reading

1Kings 1-2

Daily Thought

The first words of the first book of Kings remind us our time is transitory, “Now King David was old and advanced in years” (1 Kings 1:1). The reign of David would pass on to another, to his son Solomon, and God tells David, “Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days” (1Chronicles 22:9). Except the first chapter of his reign was bloody. His inauguration was marked by violent justice, because true and lasting peace comes, not from wishfulness, but righteousness. Solomon would be the man of peace who delivers righteousness, cleansing a land stained in blood.

Before Solomon could claim the throne, however, another of David’s sons, Adonijah, seeing an opportunity, asked for Abishag to be his wife. Abishag had been King David’s concubine. If she became his wife, it became Abishag’s claim to the throne. Unfortunately for Adonijah, who asked for Abishag, Solomon, instead, asked for wisdom, and wisdom saw through the treachery. “Ask for him the kingdom also!” (1King 2:22), cried Solomon, for he knew the true heart of Adonijah was not for Abishag, but for the throne. Adonijah’s treachery was exposed and Adonijah was executed.

Two others had displayed treachery in the past and could not be trusted in the future, and they, too, would feel the sword of justice. Joab had spilled the innocent blood of Abner and Amasa while David was king. Shimei, a relative of Saul, aroused rebellion in the people. “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity” (Proverbs 22:8)–you reap what you sow–and at the inauguration of his reign, Solomon sowed justice and blood was spilled. Justice shall rule the land; and through justice, righteousness; and out of righteousness, peace.

To find peace, you first must pursue righteousness, and only then will peace follow.

Daily Prayer

God of peace, I know that You are good and You made this world good. When I follow You, I am blessed. Your discipline is good. It comes from Your love and Your desire to see me live a life of righteousness and peace.

Your correction is painful, at times, but I am glad for it. It puts me back on the right track. Do not let me become blind and deaf to the consequences of evil, but help me remember the joy of walking with You, so I will always long for it.

Amen

Daily Question

Why is righteousness essential for peace?

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Peace on Earth

Daily Reading

Luke 2-3

Daily Thought

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not…” ~Luke 2:8-10 

The angels said, “Fear not,” not because they are not terrifying. They are! And not because we should not fear them. We should. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” said Solomon the wisest (Proverbs 9:10). Fear is not merely respect, but appreciation, a terrifying appreciation of God’s overwhelming majesty, his awesome power, and something even more, his wonderful goodness–and how much we fall short, how much we are outside, even at war, with his goodness. We rightfully fear the fulness of God’s majesty, his power, his justice, and his goodness, so, Jesus comes in humility to a little town of Bethlehem, to a manger, to shepherds in a field.

The angel of the Lord said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).  God chose shepherds in the field, not kings in their palace, because kings would consider it their due. Shepherds have no illusions to their own power or majesty or position. It is only in humility that a baby in a manger will be recognized as Savior of the world. God chooses shepherds to show us the Savior.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:13-14

Peace is not something found in this world, it finds us from heaven. This is the beauty of Christmas, God finding favor in shepherds and an unwed mother and her husband-to-be and wise men from the east who kneel before their Savior. Peace comes when you fear God, and nothing else. 

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, like King David, I am amazed that you pay attention to me. That You would come to us, not in Your majesty, but in humility. I did not find You because I look in the wrong places, not Bethlehem, not a manger, so You found me in humility. You brought me to my knees and I would stay there, but You lifted me up and now I stand before You and for You. 

Thank You for the peace that passes any earthly understanding. I look forward to that day when You come again in full majesty, and peace returns to its eternal place in this world. I love You, Jesus. 

Amen

Daily Question

Do you fear God? Should you? What does it mean: to fear God?

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Like a Child

Daily Reading

Matthew 11-12

Daily Thought

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ~Matthew 11:25-26

On the wall over the fireplace is mounted a “Smart TV.” It is filled with hundreds of apps showing thousands of programs, all accessible by pressing a few of the thirty buttons on one of the three remotes laying on the side table. I just want to watch the Packers play the Rams. But which channel? Is it ESPN or Amazon Prime or one of the Networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX. I am ten minutes into the game before I figure it out.

Sometimes I long for childhood when the TV had three channels plus UHF (which no kid watched because it only showed documentaries). Sure, there were too few stations to show all the games, and none may be showing the game I wanted. but the game that was on, I watched, and so did all my friends, and the next day at school we had something to talk about because we all watched the same game. It was something we shared. It was community. It was simple. It was good.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28

More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just more. I am a grandpa now, “Bapa” to Zoë and Clarke. There are times when this cluttered life leaves them distressed, but I have two arms for two granddaughters and I open them and they snuggle in and their heads melt into my chest and life is simple and good again.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 18:3

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am amazed that you wait for me with open arms. I rush by you, rush away from you, so often, for things I think are important. They never satisfy me like You do. Keep reminding me to seek You first and let You take care of everything else. You are in charge of this world. I should let You order it. There is only one place of peace I know and that is in Your arms.

Amen

Daily Question

Are you happy with the amount of activity in your life?

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The Fear of God

Daily Reading

Habakkuk 1-3; Zephaniah 1-3

Daily Thought

The prophet Habakkuk cries out to a righteous God, “You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent?” (Habakkuk 1:13). The powerful Chaldeans are wicked people and they are attacking us. God, do you not see the evil in this world?

Mr. Dubose was the mean neighbor in the white house three houses down from my childhood home. One day, playing kickball in the street, the ball went astray and hit the rear tire of his corvette. Mr. Dubose held the ball out for me to retrieve, but as I approached, he reared back and fired it into my chest knocking me over. This was Goliath versus David, the Chaldeans versus Israel, Mr. Dubose versus 7-year-old me. Except I have a dad and my dad came out and had a “talk” with Mr. Dubose. My dad was a Marine in World War II and fought in the battle of Okinawa. I had never seen my dad fight (and never would), but as I watched him talk with our neighbor, I gained a sense of what he was capable.

In chapter 2, God responds to Habakkuk: “Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own” (v 6); “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house” (v 9); “Woe to him who builds a town with blood” (v 12); “Woe to him who makes his neighbors drink” (v 15); “Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise!” (v 19). God may be unseen, but he sees all. He sees all the plunder, the pride, the warfare, the debauchery, the idolatry, so he has a “talk” with the Chaldeans, but these woes are more than a warning to an evil people, they are words of assurance to God’s children. Habakkuk can rest; he belongs to God. God is by his side and on his side.  

Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us. ~Habakkuk 3:16

Mr. Dubose did not change. He remained the mean old man in the white house, but he did not frighten me anymore because I knew my dad was here, he was capable, and he cares. 

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love.  ~Zephaniah 3:16-17

Daily Prayer

My God, Yours is the Name above all names. There is authority in Your Name, and in Your Name I find life. Your Name is holy and good, righteous and powerful. I know this and I am learning to trust You. And as I learn to trust You, I find rest. If you are for me, who can be against me? I am glad You are here, You are almighty, and You love me. 

What foe shall I fear when God is my friend.

Amen

Daily Question

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” What does that mean?

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The Little Green Car

Daily Reading

Isaiah 54-58

Daily Thought

He drives fast, whips around a little green car who is not in a hurry, and speeds ahead. The next light is red. Brake. Green light. Accelerate. Red light. Brake again. His eyes dart from the rear view mirror to the road ahead and back to the mirror. He will see the cop before the cop sees him. Switching lanes for the 20th time in 12 miles, the last turn is ahead. He checks his watch. Fifteen minutes. Not bad. 

His shoulder aches.  “Why am I so tense?” he wonders, as he rubs it.  

“The wicked are like the tossing sea;
for it cannot be quiet,
and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” ~Isaiah 57:20-21

He turns the corner and, one last time, glances at the mirror, spying the little green car coasting through the intersection from which he turned 10 seconds ago.

Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” ~Isaiah 54:17-18

The guy in the green car, his shoulders feel fine.

Daily Prayer

God of Peace, when I follow You, when I walk on the path You lay before me, when I pursue righteousness, I live confidently and I enjoy peace. Peace is found only in righteousness. What a wonderful feeling it is, Father, to think back on my day without shame. To smile because I made You smile. To know that I do not fear getting caught because I have nothing to hide. To live in the truth because I told no lies. 

God, when I do what is right, I find rest. And it’s a lot easier to talk with You.

Amen

Daily Question

Would you describe your life more often as hectic or peaceful? Why?

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Insomnia’s Cure

Daily Reading

Psalm 74-77

Daily Thought

“I can’t sleep!” That’s what Psalm 77:1-4 says, and we’ve all been there. Something is turning over and over in Asaph’s mind, troubling his thoughts, “You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled I cannot speak” (Psalm 77:4). He is focused on the problem and he cannot figure it out. The problem is a big one, Babylon has captured Judah and there is no more Israel. It seems God no longer cares, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” (Psalm 77:9). Israel’s constant rebellion has finally taken its toll and God has given up and is no longer listening. 

That’s what it seems, anyway.

Then change comes, not in God, but in Asaph. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old” (Psalm 77:11). Asaph stops thinking about Babylon and remembers Egypt. Babylon is about captivity; Egypt is deliverance. God does not give up; he saves his people.

When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled. ~Psalm 77:16

Babylon, like Egypt, did not fear God. How foolish. Water fears God! And obeys his word. The seas parted, Israel escaped, Egypt met God’s vengeance, and Asaph remembered and it gave him rest.

Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. ~Psalm 77:19-20

You should fear God, Babylon. It should keep you awake. And Asaph, go to sleep. 

“Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.” ~Psalm 77:13-14

Change comes, not in my circumstances, but in me, when my focus shifts from my problems to my God

Daily Prayer

My Creator, You are Lord of all. You establish justice and promote righteousness. You have made Your ways known, Your Laws are clear and they are good.  May I ever remember that You do not change, and that is good. You are always holy, always good, always just, and always gracious, so no matter how bad my circumstances, they will change before You do. I can count on You God, always. May I always remember that.

I will walk in Your ways, God, because Your path is straight. It gets me where You want me to go, and that is a good place.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you fear God? Why or why not?

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Imagine

Daily Reading

John 16-18

Daily Thought

Imagine there’s a heaven, all the people living life in peace.

Jesus stirred up conflict, but in him the world would find peace, and he told us so, “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” (John 14:27). 

On Christmas Eve 1914, in the midst of World War I, silence replaced gunfire between the Germans and the British. Then singing sprang from the German side; a Christmas Carol, Stille Nacht (Silent Night). A placard was raised above a trench, “YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT.” The British responded, “MERRY CHRISTMAS.” Soldiers emerged, cautious at first, then joyfully. Gifts were exchanged, chocolate cake and wine, photos of families. A soccer game erupted (British 3, Germans 2). And peace. It was Christmas, after all. 

It didn’t last. The generals did not like it. It was war, after all. But for a day there was “peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

Sorry, John (the Beatle, not the writer of this Gospel), “all the people living life in peace” only happens when heaven happens. Why in this world would I Imagine otherwise?

Daily Prayer

God of peace, I look forward to the day the world is brought into order, when the lion lays with the lamb, when there are no enemies, no war, no hatred, no tears. No death.

Your Son brought Your Kingdom near. Embrace me with the peace You bring to my life. I know my future and have nothing to fear because my eternity rests in You.

Amen

Posted on

Peace on Earth

Daily Reading

Luke 2-3

Daily Thought

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not…” ~Luke 2:8-10 

The angels said, “Fear not,” not because they are not terrifying. They are! And not because we should not fear them. We should. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” said Solomon the wisest (Proverbs 9:10). Fear is not merely respect, but appreciation, a terrifying appreciation of God’s overwhelming majesty, his awesome power, and something even more, his wonderful goodness–and how much we fall short, how much we are outside, even at war, with his goodness. We rightfully fear the fulness of God’s majesty, his power, his justice, and his goodness, so, Jesus comes in humility to a little town of Bethlehem, to a manger, to shepherds in a field.

The angel of the Lord said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12).  God chose shepherds in the field, not kings in their palace, because kings would consider it their due. Shepherds have no illusions to their own power or majesty or position. It is only in humility that a baby in a manger will be recognized as Savior of the world. God chooses shepherds to show us the Savior.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~Luke 2:13-14

Peace is not something found in this world, it finds us from heaven. This is the beauty of Christmas, God finding favor in shepherds and an unwed mother and her husband-to-be and wise men from the east who kneel before their Savior. Peace comes when you fear God, and nothing else. 

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, like King David, I am amazed that you pay attention to me. That You would come to us, not in Your majesty, but in humility. I did not find You because I look in the wrong places, not Bethlehem, not a manger, so You found me in humility. You brought me to my knees and I would stay there, but You lifted me up and now I stand before You and for You. 

Thank You for the peace that passes any earthly understanding. I look forward to that day when You come again in full majesty, and peace returns to its eternal place in this world. I love You, Jesus. 

Amen

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The Little Green Car

Daily Reading

Isaiah 54-58

Daily Thought

He drives fast, whips around a little green car who is not in a hurry, and speeds ahead. The next light is red. Brake. Accelerate. Brake again. A “Speed Checked By Radar” sign, his eyes dart from the rear view mirror to the road ahead and back to the mirror. He will see the cop before the cop sees him. Switching lanes for the 20th time in 12 miles, the last turn is ahead. He checks his watch. Fifteen minutes. Not bad. His shoulder aches.  “Why am I so tense?” he wonders, as he rubs it.  

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” ~Isaiah 57:21

He turns the corner and, one last time, glances at the mirror, spying the little green car coasting through the intersection, 30 seconds behind. The guy in the green car, his shoulders feel fine.

For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;
he enters into peace;
they rest in their beds
who walk in their uprightness. ~Isaiah 57:1-2

Peace and rest are found only in righteousness.

Daily Prayer

God of Peace, when I follow You, when I walk on the path You lay before me, when I pursue righteousness, I live confidently and I enjoy peace. What a wonderful feeling it is, Father, to think back on my day without shame. To smile because I made You smile. To know that I do not fear getting caught because I have nothing to hide. To live in the truth because I told no lies. 

God, when I do what is right, I find rest. And it’s a lot easier to talk with You.

Amen