The Peace of God

Matthew 7:14 (The Message)

 ^13-14"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. 

When you read the title today you might have thought, “Oh no!  One more thing I have to do!”  “One more discipline I have to work into my life!”

Actually the “total attention” that God’s is talking about is just meeting with Him each day.  How easy is that??  You may have to rearrange some things to make this “meeting” a priority but in the end, the direction you receive from Him each day will simplify your life.  

As God is “front and center” in your life, peace will flow from Him to you.  This peace (and the joy that results), will radiate out to all those you come into contact with during your day.  In a world where peace and joy are in short supply, God will use you to shine for Him. 

GPS  (God’s Direction)

Matthew 6:33

Matthew 4:16

Isaiah 61:9b

Prayer Focus:

Thank your Father for spending time with you each day.  

Encourage Yourself In God

1 Samuel 30 : 6 (King James Version)

 ⁶And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 

David was under great stress. Not only was he hurting personally, but he was responsible for the great personal loss of the soldiers in his army.  They were about to turn on him!

So what did David do?  He “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”  It says “his God,” which confirms to us that David had a personal relationship with God.  I call it a “working relationship” with God—one in which I can openly and honestly come to God and get His practical instructions for the situation that I am in. 

God’s encouragement (and strength) is always available to us. Just like David, we can say,  “God, I need your help!”  When David turned to God and asked for directions, God answered him with instructions of what to do.  And He added His grace (His strength) to get the job done successfully.  Whew!  Now that is a good word!!

GPS  (God’s Directions)

I Samuel 30: 1-6   The entire story

Psalms 18: 3,6

Psalms 55: 16

Prayer Focus: 

Spend a few minutes thanking God for the times He has helped you in the past and don’t be afraid to talk openly to Him about your present situations.  He is waiting to hear from you!

God Has Favorites

Luke 4:19 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁹To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day ^[a]when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.

Yes, God does have favorites and you are it!!  Remember how in gym class some kids always got picked first and some were always last.  Well, guess what?  In God’s kingdom He always picks you first—even if you are not perfect.

Acts 10:34 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. 

We are all His favorites!!  Sometimes in a family it “seems” like one child is favored over another.  But in God’s family, the Father loves us all the same.  He loves us all the most because He is God.

God knows we are human and we are going to make mistakes, just as we know that about our kids.  Do we love them any less?  Nope!

Here’s what God says….

Hebrews 4:16 (New King James Version)

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If we are in the family of God—there is a place for us right up close to His throne.  If you are in God’s family, you are His favorite and  there is a place for you right beside Him.

GPS  (God’s Direction)

2 Corinthians 9:8 Amplified Bible     “every favor”

Exodus 33:21    “a place beside Him”

Psalms 103: 14   He knows we are human

Prayer Focus:

Thank Him for His favor towards you.