Peace...

 

Psalm 34:14  "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."  (NIV)

"...seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!"  (AMP)

"embrace peace---don't let it get away!"  (MSG)

Do we treat the idea of peace too lightly?  Have we given up on the idea of peace as an impossible goal?  I think that many of us have.  World peace?---impossible!  Family peace?---hard to maintain at times.  National peace?---recently proven to be very fragile and easily set aside.  Personal peace?---often seems like an unattainable dream.

But we are told to seek peace, to actively pursue it, to hang on tightly to it.  Peace is important!  Peace is desirable.  Jesus tells us that peacemakers are blessed and that they are "sons of God".  Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus is our Prince of peace.  Peace in all things is a most worthy goal.  

We find true peace in Jesus Christ.  We find it when we "turn from evil and do good."  We need to pray peace into every situation and every person's life that we come into contact with.

God of peace, please give us your peace every day and help us to actively seek and pursue peace in every situation knowing that Jesus is our source of peace and that he is with us always.  Than you for your everlasting peace in Jesus Christ.  amen

Hope...

 

 Romans 8:24-25  "...Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."  (NIV)

It is a cold winter day and I long for spring and warm sunshine.  It isn't time yet, but I wait patiently knowing it will come.  Spring is a promise that is always fulfilled.  

As we wait for our future glory and all Christ has for us in heaven, we also wait patiently knowing this promise will also be fulfilled.  God is faithful.  His promises come true in time---his time.  Our hope remains solid and sure, because we know our God is solid and sure. 

 Hope is a beautiful word, full of God's promise and his unfailing love.  Hope isn't wishful thinking.  Hope is prayer waiting for the answer we know is coming.

Thank you, Father for your unfailing love and your faithfulness.  Thank you for the promises we know will be fulfilled in your time.  Thank you for all the good things that you have for us.  amen