Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Peace


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Give Peas a Chance!

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

As a little girl, I got away with hiding those detested peas in my napkin.  When excused from the table, I would take the napkin with me and flush those peas down the toilet!  As the youngest of four, my poor Mother was none the wiser.  Thankfully I got over my distaste as peas are such a great healthy food!  To give peace a chance however, is a much more important idea!  John Lennon of the Beatles popularized this phrase with his first solo single hit released in 1969, “Give Peace a Chance.”

Today’s verse encourages the believer to live at peace with everyone.  Paul includes some qualifying conditions; if it is possible and as far as it depends on you.  Sometimes peace just is not possible if both parties are not willing to work at it.  But there is plenty that can depend on our own responses.  Being able to live peacefully with those intent on provoking us seems nearly impossible.  But when we remind ourselves that God is just and He will repay and avenge (verse 19) then we can at least find that peace of mind for ourselves.

I wish I could say that all my relationships are always peaceful.  But even the best of them occasionally go through turbulent times.  However, I know when I am making things worse.  And the first step in making peace usually starts with a humble apology for the part I played in the drama.  That first step requires me to put aside my pride.  That is the part that depends on me.  I can then trust the Lord to work through the rest.

Help me Lord, to do all I can to live peaceably.

 


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Knee Jerk Reaction

Scripture for Today: Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

No one enjoys this part of a physical exam!  When that reflex hammer strikes just below the patella, the leg is supposed to extend as an automatic reflex.  This reaction is what helps maintain balance and posture without conscious thought.  But the term has also come to mean an immediate unthinking and emotional response.

Today’s verse addresses the problem of worry, which for me tends to be my knee jerk reaction!  Worry just seems to come naturally as a first response.  Sometimes my worries do not even have a basis in reality but arise from my imagination!  But Paul, who had plenty to worry about as a prisoner, gives us the solution.  Paul could experience God’s peace even when in chains.  And that is because He gave over his worrisome thoughts to the Lord in prayer.

Worrying changes nothing, but praying can.  Talking to the Lord and unburdening myself to Him helps my heart to trust Him.  He already knows what worries are running through my head.  But He asks me to name those worries in the form of petitions.  What freedom can be mine when I give it all to Him!  He replaces that worry with His peace that guards my heart and mind.  Instead of being consumed with worry, I can get some distance from that problem.  And in faith I can thank Him in advance for His answers.  My mind and heart can be at rest, knowing I can trust His hand to work.

Lord, keep me from that knee jerk reaction of worry.  Help me turn every anxious thought into heartfelt prayer.


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Globe Skimmer Dragonfly

dragonfly-species-may-be-the-longest-distance-flier-out-thereScripture for Today: Ephesians 4:3 “Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of the Spirit in the binding power of peace.”

Who would have thought that this one and a half inch insect could travel non-stop between India and Africa?  For some of these globe skimmer dragonflies, their transcontinental flight is a “suicide mission.”  What could possibly motivate them to make such an arduous journey of 4,400 miles?  They migrate from the dry season to a wet one in order to mate.  The large surface of their wings allows them to glide and conserve energy.  And having two sets of wings working independently means they do not have to beat them as often.

Today’s verse tells us that believers have harmony and oneness because of God’s Spirit.  He provides peace and that peace gives us power to accomplish much!  Just as those two independent sets of wings work together to cover long distances, so believers need one another.  Through the power of the Spirit, we have the same mind and the same love.  We can be united and intent on one purpose (Phil. 2:2).  But this unity is something we strive to keep and it is something to be preciously guarded.  It is not our natural tendency to work together.

Which wing is the most important of those four?  Which one is in the front and which in the rear?  Working together can only happen when we are humble, gentle, patient and loving (verse 2).  When I worry about who gets the credit then I am out of sync.  When I am easily annoyed with someone else’s lapse, or am harsh in correcting another, than I lose ground.  I might be content with the result but maybe we could have gone much much further.

Lord, keep us together!

 

 


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Emotional Support Animal

Scripture for Today: Psalm 46:1-2a “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear…”

You see them more and more.  The “emotional support animal” is often a dog but can really be any animal.  They are allowed anywhere the public is but only with a doctor’s prescription.  They differ from service animals as there is no special training to do any work or task.  All that is required is that the animal provide a calming effect for the owner suffering from mental, emotional or psychiatric disabilities.  Their very presence is meant to bring comfort.

The truth of today’s verse brings a comfort far greater than any animal can give.  God Himself is our refuge and strength.  Regardless of the trouble faced, He is there to help.  His very presence is the source of protection, strength and comfort.  Realizing His presence keeps us from giving in to fear.  He is bigger and more powerful than any challenge.

When tragedy strikes someone close, I often do not know what to say.  But it is not what we say that brings comfort but the fact that we show up.  Our presence is what counts.  The person in crisis draws strength just from us being there.  How much more true is this principle with God’s presence.  Burrowing my head in an animal’s fur can only console me so much.  Crying on the shoulder of a friend or family member is important but does not go deep enough.  But when it is my Heavenly Father there, He can and does touch my soul with His loving presence.  He reassures me of His love and control.  He gives me hope.

Thank you Lord, that when troubles loom large, You are there.


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Seven

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:164-165 “Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous Laws.  Great peace have they who love Your Law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

There is something about the number seven.  Gamblers consider it a lucky number.  The character, George Costanza, thought “Seven” a beautiful first name.  Many ancient cultures had seven gods.

In Scripture, the number seven has special significance.  Creation, with the Sabbath, took seven days.  Solomon’s Temple took seven years to build.  The walls of Jericho came down after seven days of marching.  Revelation records seven stars, lampstands, churches, seals, trumpets, and bowls.  Seven is thought to be the number of perfection or completion.

In our verse for today David does not use the number seven literally.  David mentions praying three times a day in Psalm 55:17.  In fact, David writes that His praise shall continually be in his mouth (Psalm 34:1).  He uses the number seven here to express a desire to worship the Lord perfectly, or completely.  In turning towards a holy and righteous God, David is showing a special care in his devotion.  His praise is specific; for God’s Law.  He recognizes the stability His Law gives to life.  In following God’s righteous way, one will not stumble as the wicked do whenever calamity strikes (Prov. 24:16).  David praises God for the great peace that comes from being obedient.  He knew the difference.  He experienced first hand the agony and awful consequences of breaking God’s Law.

What a beautiful and worthy subject of praise!  God’s Law gives stability and direction to my life.  It keeps me from stumbling.  Following His Law gives me heart peace instead of guilt and confusion.  Seven times a day is only the beginning of my praise and worship!

Lord, may I continually praise You today!  You are worthy!

Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.