Hi Everyone!

Verse of the Day 

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 (NKJV)

Quote of the Day

“God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

– C.S. Lewis

Reflection

Whenever we look for God’s gifts from other outlets, we are left empty. The idols fabricated by our hearts may appease our appetites for a brief time, but soon after, they only bring trouble. Even those of us who know the value of proximity to God may occasionally take it for granted. Perhaps the allure of a particular temptation overtakes us, or we forget to stay disciplined about our spiritual nourishment. These are real threats that believers face daily.

Today’s verse reminds us that Jesus Christ offers us peace that we cannot find anywhere else. The world offers fool’s gold, and our adversary, the devil, seeks to destroy us through many avenues. These offers of empty promises and false hopes only lead us astray and distract us from God’s mission for us. 

The devil rarely attacks us in obvious ways. Instead, he exploits our weaknesses and often comes disguised as everything we ever wanted. That’s why we must all remain vigilant.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)

All of us, including me, are capable of stumbling from time to time. Even the most seasoned believers sin and must ask God for help in repenting. We must crucify the desires of the flesh. Thank God for His grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, which comfort us when we fall short. 

When we find motivation in God’s will for us and demonstrate it in our actions, we will experience His peace in us. The world might be in shambles. Our immediate situation may prove itself difficult. There may be daunting obstacles that stand in the way of our success. But no matter what, we can rest assured that God’s peace will sustain us in all circumstances. 

As today’s verse closes, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The more we experience God’s supernatural help and provision in our times of need, the more confident we will grow that He has us right where we are for a reason.

Application

Praise God for the many tools in our arsenal against evil. He equips us with his full armor, guides us with His word, gives us access to Him in prayer, protects us with His angels, surrounds us with fellow believers, provides us with ways of escape from temptation, and leads us by His Holy Spirit.

All of these assets are priceless as we wage war against evil. All of us should have faith that we have already won the war through the victory Jesus Christ won on our behalf. However, it remains our responsibility to face each battle one by one. That constant obedience will give us peace in God that transcends all understanding.

We must proceed steadfastly and boldly in the direction that God leads us. When circumstances throw us an unexpected detour, we can rest assured that it didn’t take God by surprise. In those moments, we must utilize God’s tools, especially prayer. When we feel least inclined to pursue them, we often need them most.

Take a few moments to consider God’s track record in your personal life. Look at His constant love in the lives of our fellow believers in the Bible. Even when it seemed they had no hope, God made a way for them. In the same way, God was there for them; He will remain there for His children.

God parted the sea for Moses. He delivered Daniel from the lion’s den. He protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. He guided Noah in building an ark for safety during the flood. He empowered King David to have a heart after Him and lead Israel. Why wouldn’t He help you?

Why would we doubt His provision now if He did all that for these flawed sinners among His children like us? God is just as faithful today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. In the same way He used them, He can use us for His purposes. Embrace His call upon Your life and seek Him wholeheartedly. May all of us who believe abide in Him, obey Him, and enjoy His peace now and forever.

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for forgiving me. Thank You for Your gentleness and enabling me to repent of my numerous sins in Your sight. I know there are some I may not have even noticed I committed, and I ask You to forgive me for those, too.

I am thankful for Your peace in my life, for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, and for His daily guidance. Without Your presence and Your word, I would be lost. Thank You for all Your provisions. Without them, I don’t know what I would do.

The world we live in is fleeting. Please help me focus on what matters most in life and find peace in You. I don’t want to cling to an idol for short-term satisfaction, pleasure, or relief. I receive lasting blessings solely through Jesus Christ, Your Son, and my Lord and Savior. Thank You for not giving like the ruthless world we live in, but instead for offering Your most precious gifts of generosity and love.

Please help me not take Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for granted. Salvation may be a gift, but the cost of offering it to us was the greatest price ever paid: the precious blood of Your Son. I don’t want to lose sight of that, so I ask that You please help me redeem time for eternity.

Thank You for giving me much more than I deserve.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.