Living At Peace - As Far As It Depends On Me

In summary of Romans 12:18 it says, "If possible and to the best of your ability, live at peace and to get along with everybody."

Bottom Line:
If possible and to the best of your ability, do all you can to at peace, getting along with everybody.

What this means to me:  
If it is possible, God wants me to do all I can (as far as it depends on me) to live in peace and get along with everybody I encounter.    This is a big “if it’s possible” not always “it is possible”.  Secondly his word tells me “as far as it depends on me.”  There are some individuals in which nothing I can do will bring peace with them.  Often it’s directly related to their pain and their hurt.  What I need to realize is that it may not always be about me.  When I run into situations like this the best I can do is continue to do what I know is right and possibly just be silent / leave it alone.  I can however pray for them and then leave it in God’s hands.

God Has Made This Day; Rejoice And Be Glad In It

In summary of Psalm 118:24 it says, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. " 

Bottom Line:
This is the day which the Lord has brought about he has created it. Given that we will rejoice and be glad in it.

What this means to me:
Like all creation and everything in it, God also created today.  I should rejoice in this day as in all days.  He has created it and has plans for what should be accomplished in it.  Because of that I need to steward well what he has entrusted me with today.  This is extremely helpful for me today, especially as I struggled just to get up this morning.  I just felt like sleeping and wasting the day away.  So I ask you God through your power and your word to help energize me this morning and to truly rejoice and be glad in what you created today; and not just today but all my others days.

Jesus Offers Mercy, Not Condemnation

In summary of Romans 8:1-2 it says, "There is no condemnation or guilty judgement for those who follow and belong to Christ Jesus because through him the law of the Spirit of life sets you free from the law of sin and death.  

Bottom Line:
When you follow and actually belong to Christ Jesus you are no longer subject to a guilty verdict.  Through Him the law of the Spirit of life sets you free from the law of sin and death.  Free to live the life he wants me to live.

What this means to me:
God began the work to bring me back into his presence long before I was even born.  He knew I couldn’t make it on my own, so while I was still helpless, he provided a means that saved me from the end effects of my sins (past and future) with Christ dying for me.  It is through His Son, and my now belonging to him (by following him and making him the leader of my life,) that now provides this protection from the law of sin and death / eternal separation from him.  No matter what I had done, making Christ the boss and leader of my life keeps me from ultimate condemnation.  Christ sits at God’s right hand, not as an accuser but rather as my advocate - he gave his life for me.  Jesus wants to bring me back into an intimacy with the Father, he’s not interested in making me jump through hoops to prove myself worthy or in any attempt to earn my way.  It is God’s gift and Jesus’ sacrifices that have washed me clean.  Given this, I can now approach God with confidence, knowing that I will find mercy and grace to help me in my time of needs and difficulty.  I need to remind myself today that I don’t need to earn God’s approval or provide some type of sacrifice or offering in order to make up for my wrong doings.  I need to just walk today in the confidence that I have God’s mercy and Jesus as my advocate.  I won’t get caught up in things of the world today, instead I want to concentrate on loving God and loving those he has put around me.

God Wants To Give You Freedom

In Summary of John 8:36 it says,"If the Son liberates you and makes you free men, then you are really unquestionably free through and through."

Bottom Line:
If Jesus sets you free, you are unquestionably free.

What this means to me:
Jesus has the power to liberate me and truly free me from my fallen state and if Jesus sets me free then I am unquestionably free.  This translates into no longer being a slave to this world or its ways.  To me the world defines freedom as “life without any restraint; one in which you can do or say anything you’d want to do,”  and while this practice may burn others, one would get their own way.  In summary you get freedom but by being totally selfish.  Scripture tells me that the the only way to be free is through Jesus.  Real freedom from him provides freedom from fear, where I’d be truly free from any guilt, worry, bitterness and death.  I would be free to quit any pretending because I would be free.  So the best way for me to move forward and to eliminate any of these fears in my life is to let God live me.  I need to remember that God loves me and when I keep this in mind then I can begin to live in true freedom.  God way takes the focus off of me (selfishness) and puts it on; love for him and love for others (serving, helping others.)  Today I will keep in mind how much God loves me and has shown me how to be free from guilt, worry and bitterness.

A Servant Who Leads

In summary of Luke 22:31-32 it says, "Simon, stay on your toes.  Satan has asked excessively that all of you be given up to him, to be taken away and separated from the power and keeping of God, that he might sift all of you like wheat.  But I have prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out, that your faith may not fail.  So when you have repented and turned to me again, you will strengthen your brothers, establish them and give them a fresh start."

Bottom Line:
Simon stay alert, Satan wants to distract you, take you away, separate you from the power of God, sifting you like wheat.  But Jesus prayed that Simon would not give in or give up, that his faith would not fail.  So explained to Simon that after you have realize this sifting that you would repent and turn back to God again.  Then strengthen and encourage your brothers in their walk, remind them of the fresh start that can be realized when one repents and returns to God.

What this means to me:
This is a reminder to me that Satan is ready at any time to distract me and get me off course from following God and having the protection that comes from a close intimate relationship with God.  I too have a strong advocate (Jesus) praying that I would not give in / give up or lose faith.  This verse also reminds me that not if, but when I’m not alert and I allow myself to be drawn away, that I can repent of my waywardness and come back to God.  God is still in control and his presence inside me (his Spirit) is greater than our enemy Satan.  God wants me to encourage others around me when I see this happen to them or when they get too discouraged that a fresh start is always available (my own example) when we return to God.  It's likely the times of sifting probe my current weaknesses, revealing what’s really on my heart and in my thoughts.  I need to remember that it’s not in my own strength that I can resist and think differently, but with the strength that comes from him.  The sifting helps identify the distractions that are likely hindering me from fulfilling my purpose and allow me to refocus.  Overall, God wants me to survive the sifting and return stronger, with the purpose of strengthening my brothers.  In a sense, it’s like being a servant who will lead others.

Meekness Is Not Weakness

In summary of 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid or timid (being shy with his gifts), but that of power, love, self-discipline and self-control (being bold, loving and sensible.)"

Bottom Line:
God did not give us a spirit of timidity (being a coward or shy), but one of power and of love, a calm, well-balanced mind, disciplined and self-controlled.

What this means to me:
God provides me with a spirit of power and of love, not one of being timid or a door stop.  He has provided me with a well-balanced mind and self-control in which to conduct myself.  With this spirit from him, I can be bold, but at the same time loving and sensible.  Christians are meek, however this meekness does not translate to weakness.  Meekness means to have a strength that is under control, a power that is now ready for the master’s use.  God does not expect me to cave in just because someone wants to manipulate me.  It is ok to say “no” at times when it doesn’t make sense to say “yes”, (especially as it relates to immoral issues.)  God wants me to deal with those who try to manipulate with a power (confidence), in love (focusing on their needs), and in self-control.  Typically I tend to be a people pleaser, but I must always realize that I can’t please everyone.  Instead, I need to remember to hold my ground, then pray for those who want to persecute me.  After that I can just leave the rest to God.  I just need to remind myself that God’s spirit isn’t intended to make me timid or to be a weakling, instead I’m a power (strength) under control for his use.

Remember Always, I’m Unique

In summary of Psalm 139:13-14 it says, "You made my whole being; shaped me first inside then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.  I praise and thank you for making me in an amazing and wonderful way.  What you have done is wonderful, how well I know it."

Bottom Line:
You completely shaped me starting inside, then out while I was in my mother's womb.  I praise and give you thanks for making me in such an amazing and wonderful way.  I well know that what you have done is awesome.

What this means to me:
God has uniquely made me starting from the inside and working his way out; and all of this while still in my mother’s womb as you had prescribed and defined me before my birth.  You know what I would be like.  You chose me and my particular characteristics for your purposes.  This makes me unique, there is only one me.  So what this teaches me is that if I don’t be me, who will be what he made me to be.  I should be glad always for who I am.  I don’t need to try to be someone else.  I need to keep from comparing myself with others and look to God to define what I should be.  God you deserve all the praise and thanks I can give for the amazing way you have made me.   God, daily I will look to understand more about you and what you defined for me to be each day.