Do you ever come across a verse in the Bible that has the ability to just kind of haunt you? While you're reading you come across the verse and it causes you to pause and contemplate and then hours or even days after you read it, you find that it is still lingering in the back of your mind and thoughts?
2 Timothy 4:10 has been that verse for me lately.
"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia."
Having loved this present world and is departed.
Those are the words that have haunted my mind for days. It has caused me to think outside of the black and white print of the page in which these words are written. I have pondered and contemplated the man of Demas, what was he like? How long had he been serving and working with Paul? What finally caused him to turn and depart?
I use the word finally there because the Bible says that he departed because he loved this present world. Love is a choice and it is usually developed over time, not over night. So my conclusions narrow down to the fact that Demas became distracted by the things of this world, while serving in God's will for him. Though it may have started as distractions, the more time and attention Demas gave to the world and the things it had to offer, the more his heart and his love were drawn away from God and His will.
If I am not careful, who is to say I would not do the same as Demas. That is why the Bible instructs us to be sober and to be vigilant and in the very same book that Demas is mentioned, Paul exhorts Timothy to "flee youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22).
Distractions can be hard to ignore. Our present world is filled with them. It is sometimes a wonder how anything really gets done considering all the things we allow in our lives that distract us. But luckily, we have the Word of God that instructs on what weapons we have available to us when fighting distractions.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:11-13
The grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and if we do that, we can live soberly and godly even in our present wicked and sinful world.
When we give into the ungodly distractions of this world, we run the risk of ruining some very important things such as our testimony and we lose out on opportunities to serve God.
In 2 Timothy chapter 4, just a few verses before Demas is mentioned, Paul describes that he has fought the fight and finished his course and he knew that when he got to Heaven, he would get a crown of righteousness because he stayed by the stuff, he didn't give in to the distractions of the world, as tempting and alluring as they may be.
Stay focused fellow Christian. Keep your mind (and your heart) stayed on Christ.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3
Demas was working with one of the greatest Christian examples and he was serving the one true and holy God. His name is even mentioned in the Bible for people to read for years and years. Although he is mentioned, the only thing written of him is how having loved this present world, he departed.
Don't be a Demas. Use the power that is found in the grace of God to deny the distractions of this world and strive to live godly, soberly and righteously, with a mind stayed on Him. The end result will be an untarnished testimony, a crown of righteousness in Heaven and perfect peace.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Through Christ
The calendar may say Spring came this past weekend but it seems as though North Dakota missed the memo.
As with many of my fellow ND drivers, I had an interesting drive home last night after work. The snow was wet and heavy and coming down pretty steadily. I carefully made it to my street and to the front of the house and that is when the "fun" began. I tried backing in to my regular parking spot but got stuck between my spot, the sidewalk and the front yard. Oh boy. So I grabbed my shovel and cleared out some driving area to maneuver my car into my spot. What a spectacle I must have been.
Shovel, shovel, shovel, get in. Drive. Reverse. Gas pedal. Tires spinning. Drive. Reverse. Gas pedal. Tires spinning. The more I tried the more my car slid.
Great.
I finally got fed up and was just going to leave it. I had already spent almost 30 minutes on just trying to park my car. I felt like a fool.
I got in my car again and decided to give it one last attempt. Only this time, I was going to try a different technique. I got in, put the key in and turned the engine on but before I shifted into a different gear I prayed. "Lord, please help me move my car so I can get it parked and be done with it." I was wet, cold, tired, embarrassed and frustrated but I tried again. Drive. Gas. Reverse. Gas. Tires spinning - again. I sighed and pleaded "Lord, please" and then while trying to shift into PARK, the gear actually shifted into Neutral and the next thing I know I was gliding right on out into the street.
Freedom!
I was caught off guard but oh so happy to be freed! I shifted into drive and went around the block, came up to my street and then gracefully pulled right into my parking spot. I celebrated this little victory and then this verse came to mind: "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13
Now I know some reading this may think it is ridiculous to pray about parking your car but the verse says I can do ALL things through Christ. I obviously couldn't get my car parked in the right spot within my own power and believe me, I tried. Yet as soon as I asked for God's help, even though it was just to help me park my car, He helped me.
I'm so thankful for His help too. He's always there. I didn't want to call my dad, or brother and have them fight the weather and I didn't have anyone else available to help me but I have God. He's never more than just a prayer away and that is a very comforting thought.
I can do all things through Christ!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
One of these days...
One of these days I'm going to tell my uncle about the man who owns my heart. I am going to tell him about the love He has taught me, the assurance He has brought me, the protection He provides and the guidance He has over my life. I am going to tell him how this man has completely changed my life in so many unexpected ways. This man cherishes me and is always, always, always there. I want to tell my uncle how much I want him to meet this man, tell him that this man loves him more than anyone else ever can. I want him to know that with Him, my uncle can experience true love, true joy, true peace and true life. My uncle needs this man. I need to tell him...one of these days.
One of these days, I'm going to stop cracking jokes all the time and tell my co-worker about this guy I met. I want to tell them of the miracles He has done and how simply amazing He is. It's so easy to talk about everything else: the weather, society, problems and people but one of these days, I'm going to lean across my desk and tell this fellow worker about something we don't have to work for. I am going to tell them about the free gift that is offered to them, tell them that it is right there, waiting for them to accept it. I'm going to tell them...one of these days.
Because one of these days, ahh, one of these days, I'm going to see this man, really see Him. If not in the clouds, then on the other side of life, where I know He'll be waiting. He'll be waiting just for me. I can see Him now, standing there all perfect and bright, with His arms outstretched. I will run to Him and He'll hold me close. Finally together. Finally with the One whose given me so much. I'll finally see Him and finally be with Him...one of these days.
One of these days, this flesh and body of mine will be gone and done away with. It's going to be replaced with one that is perfect and holy. Pain, sorrow, tears and heartache, disappointment, frustration, burdens and sin will all cease to exist. I imagine they will be easily forgotten there, too. For our mind and our time will be consumed with praise and glory and our lips will overflow with "hallelujahs". On our knees we will be when our Savior we finally see...one of these days.
One of these days, I will stop dragging my feet and unashamedly, I will speak. I will tell my uncle and tell my coworker that the man who has given me everything, is offering it to them as well. One of these days, I will tell them...because before i know it, "one of these days" could come a day too late.
One of these days, I'm going to stop cracking jokes all the time and tell my co-worker about this guy I met. I want to tell them of the miracles He has done and how simply amazing He is. It's so easy to talk about everything else: the weather, society, problems and people but one of these days, I'm going to lean across my desk and tell this fellow worker about something we don't have to work for. I am going to tell them about the free gift that is offered to them, tell them that it is right there, waiting for them to accept it. I'm going to tell them...one of these days.
Because one of these days, ahh, one of these days, I'm going to see this man, really see Him. If not in the clouds, then on the other side of life, where I know He'll be waiting. He'll be waiting just for me. I can see Him now, standing there all perfect and bright, with His arms outstretched. I will run to Him and He'll hold me close. Finally together. Finally with the One whose given me so much. I'll finally see Him and finally be with Him...one of these days.
One of these days, this flesh and body of mine will be gone and done away with. It's going to be replaced with one that is perfect and holy. Pain, sorrow, tears and heartache, disappointment, frustration, burdens and sin will all cease to exist. I imagine they will be easily forgotten there, too. For our mind and our time will be consumed with praise and glory and our lips will overflow with "hallelujahs". On our knees we will be when our Savior we finally see...one of these days.
One of these days, I will stop dragging my feet and unashamedly, I will speak. I will tell my uncle and tell my coworker that the man who has given me everything, is offering it to them as well. One of these days, I will tell them...because before i know it, "one of these days" could come a day too late.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
No strings attached
It's been awhile.
It's been awhile since I have come across something that didn't have a "Terms & Conditions" jargon for me to read through and "accept" or have fine print to read when purchasing something. It seems as though everything these days comes with conditions. I began to think of something that comes with no strings attached, no fine print to read...something unconditional.
I ended up with a pretty short list.
The best thing I could think of was unconditional love. How could it not top the list?
But I am not talking about just any type of unconditional love. I am talking about unconditional love in it's purest and finest form.
God's love for us.
The Bible tells us what the best unconditional love is in John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Who laid down his life for you? Jesus Christ did.
He willingly gave his life in place for me. God the Father, willingly gave His only son to die and pay the penalty that I owed. He watched as His son was mocked, scorned, beaten and ultimately killed.
All of that was done, without condition on my part.
Romans 5:8 " But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
He did all of that out of love for me. Without expecting that love to be reciprocated, he showed me His love. If I never did anything to love God or show my love for him, He still would have died for me.
There is no greater love than that.
But just like any other type of love relationship, when love is demonstrated to you, naturally you want to demonstrate your love back. This concept caused me to evaluate my love toward God. His love for me is perfect, timeless, limitless and purely unconditional. But can I say that of my love for Him? Do I base my love for God on my current conditions/circumstances?
We ought not to limit our love for God. That is my challenge: to be sure that my love for God is not conditional. To praise Him and love and obey Him when things are good and to do so when I am in the thicket of a trial.
"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised." Psalm 113:3
No matter what happens, Lord, may my love for you never waiver.
It's been awhile since I have come across something that didn't have a "Terms & Conditions" jargon for me to read through and "accept" or have fine print to read when purchasing something. It seems as though everything these days comes with conditions. I began to think of something that comes with no strings attached, no fine print to read...something unconditional.
I ended up with a pretty short list.
The best thing I could think of was unconditional love. How could it not top the list?
But I am not talking about just any type of unconditional love. I am talking about unconditional love in it's purest and finest form.
God's love for us.
The Bible tells us what the best unconditional love is in John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Who laid down his life for you? Jesus Christ did.
He willingly gave his life in place for me. God the Father, willingly gave His only son to die and pay the penalty that I owed. He watched as His son was mocked, scorned, beaten and ultimately killed.
All of that was done, without condition on my part.
Romans 5:8 " But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
He did all of that out of love for me. Without expecting that love to be reciprocated, he showed me His love. If I never did anything to love God or show my love for him, He still would have died for me.
There is no greater love than that.
But just like any other type of love relationship, when love is demonstrated to you, naturally you want to demonstrate your love back. This concept caused me to evaluate my love toward God. His love for me is perfect, timeless, limitless and purely unconditional. But can I say that of my love for Him? Do I base my love for God on my current conditions/circumstances?
We ought not to limit our love for God. That is my challenge: to be sure that my love for God is not conditional. To praise Him and love and obey Him when things are good and to do so when I am in the thicket of a trial.
"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised." Psalm 113:3
No matter what happens, Lord, may my love for you never waiver.
Monday, March 14, 2011
"...the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Psalm 33:5
"Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him."
Psalm 33:8
Next time you step outside, pause for a moment. Close your eyes and draw in a deep breath. As you exhale, open your eyes and take in your surroundings.
That's God.
Stand in awe.
of Him.
Psalm 33:8
Next time you step outside, pause for a moment. Close your eyes and draw in a deep breath. As you exhale, open your eyes and take in your surroundings.
That's God.
Stand in awe.
of Him.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Attitude adjustment
I am in need of an attitude adjustment.
The easiest thing to do when things aren't going that great is usually to focus and dwell on the negative but I don't want to do that. I want to do the opposite and take an opportunity to list a few of the many blessings God has given me. I decided to take this approach after reading Psalm 103:2 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." I don't want to forget the things God has given me so here are some of the things from my "blessings list"...
- I still can't get over the fact that I can have a personal relationship with God. The man who spoke the oceans into existence and carved the mountains not only knows what I am going through but cares about me, cares about my thoughts, my aspirations, my struggles and my strengths. He has plans for me. He desires to teach and guide and provide for me. He gave his life so that I may live and when I cry out in praise or plea, He hears me. He loves me like no one else can. How that is possible is beyond my comprehension.
- "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 I am so thankful for the Bible. God preserved it, perfectly. When I open it and read it, I can have confidence in those words. It brings comfort, encouragement, wisdom and warning. I own my very own copy of His precious Word and can freely read it which is a privilege that I do not want to take for granted.
- My family. What can I say and where do I start? They leave me speechless, sometimes because of just how great they are and sometimes for other reasons. :) We may not have the nicest things this world has to offer but we love each other and enjoy spending time with each other. I laugh the hardest with my family, even though you may not be able to hear me. :) As I get older I appreciate them more and more. They are always there, no matter what, no matter what mistakes I make, no matter what foolish things I say, no matter if we disagree from time to time, no one on Earth knows me better or loves me more than my family. They look past my faults and just see their daughter or their sister. As my family continues to grow, it just gets that much better! Most importantly, everyone in my immediate family is saved. We have decided to follow Jesus and it so wonderful to be able to serve Him together, with family. I am very truly blessed and thankful for MY family.
- I am very blessed to be part of a wonderful church. I have plenty of opportunity to serve God. From teaching Sunday school to the coolest 3-6 year olds around to singing at a local nursing home and even cleaning the little white church on the corner. These are all opportunities to serve Him. They are opportunities and not duties. I do them out my love and gratitude to Him and what He has done for me and I am thankful to be a part of a church where He is emphasized, His Word is preached and serving and loving Him is encouraged. The musical talent that seeps from the mismatched pews is astounding as well and is about as close to the Heavenly harmonies I think we can ever experience here on Earth.
- I am blessed with great friends. Godly friends who send a text encouraging me to not give up and reminding me that I am loved and friends who also are waiting on the Lord, not willing to settle for less than His best and not lowering their standards to give in to the lusts and temptations of the world. I have great friends who leave a container of homemade soup in my fridge so I can have some for lunch and friends who will scrub my kitchen ceiling and of course those friends who are willing to play the occasional game of pinochle with me, even though I don't lead out with trump. I am so undeserving.
This isn't a complete list by any means and I know I will post more at a later time but let me wrap this post up with a posing a question to you...what would your "blessings" list look like? Is it longer than your "complaints" list?
I know mine is.
"Let everything that hath breath praise the lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 150:6
The easiest thing to do when things aren't going that great is usually to focus and dwell on the negative but I don't want to do that. I want to do the opposite and take an opportunity to list a few of the many blessings God has given me. I decided to take this approach after reading Psalm 103:2 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." I don't want to forget the things God has given me so here are some of the things from my "blessings list"...
- I still can't get over the fact that I can have a personal relationship with God. The man who spoke the oceans into existence and carved the mountains not only knows what I am going through but cares about me, cares about my thoughts, my aspirations, my struggles and my strengths. He has plans for me. He desires to teach and guide and provide for me. He gave his life so that I may live and when I cry out in praise or plea, He hears me. He loves me like no one else can. How that is possible is beyond my comprehension.
- "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 I am so thankful for the Bible. God preserved it, perfectly. When I open it and read it, I can have confidence in those words. It brings comfort, encouragement, wisdom and warning. I own my very own copy of His precious Word and can freely read it which is a privilege that I do not want to take for granted.
- My family. What can I say and where do I start? They leave me speechless, sometimes because of just how great they are and sometimes for other reasons. :) We may not have the nicest things this world has to offer but we love each other and enjoy spending time with each other. I laugh the hardest with my family, even though you may not be able to hear me. :) As I get older I appreciate them more and more. They are always there, no matter what, no matter what mistakes I make, no matter what foolish things I say, no matter if we disagree from time to time, no one on Earth knows me better or loves me more than my family. They look past my faults and just see their daughter or their sister. As my family continues to grow, it just gets that much better! Most importantly, everyone in my immediate family is saved. We have decided to follow Jesus and it so wonderful to be able to serve Him together, with family. I am very truly blessed and thankful for MY family.
- I am very blessed to be part of a wonderful church. I have plenty of opportunity to serve God. From teaching Sunday school to the coolest 3-6 year olds around to singing at a local nursing home and even cleaning the little white church on the corner. These are all opportunities to serve Him. They are opportunities and not duties. I do them out my love and gratitude to Him and what He has done for me and I am thankful to be a part of a church where He is emphasized, His Word is preached and serving and loving Him is encouraged. The musical talent that seeps from the mismatched pews is astounding as well and is about as close to the Heavenly harmonies I think we can ever experience here on Earth.
- I am blessed with great friends. Godly friends who send a text encouraging me to not give up and reminding me that I am loved and friends who also are waiting on the Lord, not willing to settle for less than His best and not lowering their standards to give in to the lusts and temptations of the world. I have great friends who leave a container of homemade soup in my fridge so I can have some for lunch and friends who will scrub my kitchen ceiling and of course those friends who are willing to play the occasional game of pinochle with me, even though I don't lead out with trump. I am so undeserving.
This isn't a complete list by any means and I know I will post more at a later time but let me wrap this post up with a posing a question to you...what would your "blessings" list look like? Is it longer than your "complaints" list?
I know mine is.
"Let everything that hath breath praise the lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 150:6
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Days of defeat
Do you ever just have one of those days? Days where nothing seems to go right, you go to the store to buy one specific thing and they are out, you manage to mess up even the smallest and simplest of tasks and you kind of just feel numb to the world?
It's been that kind of weekend for me.
Now I have to admit, it hasn't been all bad. I had a wonderful afternoon with my family and even got to see my sister and future brother-in-law on Skype and I had a day filled of high-fives from my favorite kids and even a colored picture from Maddy. Not bad stuff. :)
But as the weekend unfolded, disappointment and frustration seemed to meet me at almost every turn. For example, my gas tank was teetering on empty for most of the weekend so tonight after church I went to fill it up. My gas light was on so I didn't want to risk running out and stopped to fill up at a gas station that I normally don't go to. I got everything hooked up and began fueling when I noticed that it was filling up extremely slowly. Time was passing by faster than the gas was pumping - after 5 minutes I hadn't even broke the 3 gallon mark yet. So the clerk reset it (10 minutes and 6 gallons later) and when I went inside to pay, the reset had messed up my bill which took another 10 minutes to clear up. Almost 30 minutes for 12 gallons of gas.
I think I need to get a bike.
So I finally get home and I am very much looking forward to relaxing before this next week has to start. I make it down the ice-covered stairs of death, miraculously without falling and get inside, only to realize that I have no Band-Aids. Even though I had been to the store twice already, I had managed to forget Band-Aids, which I need for the morning. So I head back out, drive to Wal-Mart, find a parking spot, go inside and make a bee-line for the bandage aisle only to find out that out of all the different selection of Band-Aids they have to offer, the ONLY ONE that is completely out is the very one that I need. Wonderful.
I grab some other ones that will make do with and I know it is nothing important to get upset over but it felt like just another little blow to my weekend. If you have enough small blows and they come at you quickly enough, they can hurt just as much as the major ones.
I say all this to not vent out frustration but to hopefully show how much of a relief it was for me to come home, open my Bible because I am looking for SOME encouragement and it flips open to 1 Peter. I look over the page and notice a few of the verses that have been highlighted, specifically 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you."
Sometimes it just really nice to know that He cares.
I forget that sometimes but I'm glad he cares and I'm thankful for the comfort that that verse and His word can bring, just when we need it.
It's been that kind of weekend for me.
Now I have to admit, it hasn't been all bad. I had a wonderful afternoon with my family and even got to see my sister and future brother-in-law on Skype and I had a day filled of high-fives from my favorite kids and even a colored picture from Maddy. Not bad stuff. :)
But as the weekend unfolded, disappointment and frustration seemed to meet me at almost every turn. For example, my gas tank was teetering on empty for most of the weekend so tonight after church I went to fill it up. My gas light was on so I didn't want to risk running out and stopped to fill up at a gas station that I normally don't go to. I got everything hooked up and began fueling when I noticed that it was filling up extremely slowly. Time was passing by faster than the gas was pumping - after 5 minutes I hadn't even broke the 3 gallon mark yet. So the clerk reset it (10 minutes and 6 gallons later) and when I went inside to pay, the reset had messed up my bill which took another 10 minutes to clear up. Almost 30 minutes for 12 gallons of gas.
I think I need to get a bike.
So I finally get home and I am very much looking forward to relaxing before this next week has to start. I make it down the ice-covered stairs of death, miraculously without falling and get inside, only to realize that I have no Band-Aids. Even though I had been to the store twice already, I had managed to forget Band-Aids, which I need for the morning. So I head back out, drive to Wal-Mart, find a parking spot, go inside and make a bee-line for the bandage aisle only to find out that out of all the different selection of Band-Aids they have to offer, the ONLY ONE that is completely out is the very one that I need. Wonderful.
I grab some other ones that will make do with and I know it is nothing important to get upset over but it felt like just another little blow to my weekend. If you have enough small blows and they come at you quickly enough, they can hurt just as much as the major ones.
I say all this to not vent out frustration but to hopefully show how much of a relief it was for me to come home, open my Bible because I am looking for SOME encouragement and it flips open to 1 Peter. I look over the page and notice a few of the verses that have been highlighted, specifically 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you."
Sometimes it just really nice to know that He cares.
I forget that sometimes but I'm glad he cares and I'm thankful for the comfort that that verse and His word can bring, just when we need it.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Finding Peace
We live in a time of very little peace.
There is a lack of peace overseas, Egypt and now Libya for current examples, a lack of peace in our own country, our own government can hardly agree often enough to get anything productive done and there is a lack of peace right in our very own homes, you can look to the divorce rate of our nation to draw that conclusion.
So what can we do to find peace? There is obviously a need for it.
I think I realized at least one option and in my opinion, the best source of peace...God's Word.
"Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them." Psalm 119:165
God proved that verse to be true to me this week.
I have a tendency to not be very "peaceful" at work. My job is often considered stressful and I believe that is a justifiable description. Unfortunately, I usually do not handle the work stress very well. I let it get to me. I let it change my mood and my attitude and allow myself to become stressed, irritated and annoyed.
But this past Monday was different. My calls weren't any different. I still had people talking my ear off for 30 minutes about irrelevant information that I didn't need to know or want to know and of course, plenty of the people I talked with still found the need to ask a question only to interrupt me 2 words into my explanation. Since my calls hadn't changed, what was making the difference? Why was it already late in the afternoon and I was still in a chipper mood and it was a Monday?
Then I looked over and noticed something different.
I always have my Bible sitting on my desk but I noticed that today, after I had finished my regular reading routine I had just left it open. As I replayed the day through my mind I realized I had actually caught a few extra verses here and there throughout the day as well. Hmmm....
That's when Psalm 119:165 came to mind.
"Great peace have they which thy law, and nothing shall offend them." Well, what is "thy law"? It is God's Word. The more in love you are with God's Word, the more peace you will have and I can attest to that statement because since starting this blog, it has caused me to be in my Bible more and not just reading more but actually studying more and I have peace over situations and circumstances that I never really thought I'd have peace about. It's wonderful!
While reading and studying God's Word I also came across John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
"That in me ye might have peace" is a statement by Jesus Christ. We can have peace through Jesus Christ and through God's Word.
We spend time with the ones we love. We spend time doing the things we love, eating foods that we love. The Bible promises peace to those that "love thy law". If you need peace, may I suggest you start with spending time with Jesus Christ in prayer and take the time falling in love with God's Word.
There is a lack of peace overseas, Egypt and now Libya for current examples, a lack of peace in our own country, our own government can hardly agree often enough to get anything productive done and there is a lack of peace right in our very own homes, you can look to the divorce rate of our nation to draw that conclusion.
So what can we do to find peace? There is obviously a need for it.
I think I realized at least one option and in my opinion, the best source of peace...God's Word.
"Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them." Psalm 119:165
God proved that verse to be true to me this week.
I have a tendency to not be very "peaceful" at work. My job is often considered stressful and I believe that is a justifiable description. Unfortunately, I usually do not handle the work stress very well. I let it get to me. I let it change my mood and my attitude and allow myself to become stressed, irritated and annoyed.
But this past Monday was different. My calls weren't any different. I still had people talking my ear off for 30 minutes about irrelevant information that I didn't need to know or want to know and of course, plenty of the people I talked with still found the need to ask a question only to interrupt me 2 words into my explanation. Since my calls hadn't changed, what was making the difference? Why was it already late in the afternoon and I was still in a chipper mood and it was a Monday?
Then I looked over and noticed something different.
I always have my Bible sitting on my desk but I noticed that today, after I had finished my regular reading routine I had just left it open. As I replayed the day through my mind I realized I had actually caught a few extra verses here and there throughout the day as well. Hmmm....
That's when Psalm 119:165 came to mind.
"Great peace have they which thy law, and nothing shall offend them." Well, what is "thy law"? It is God's Word. The more in love you are with God's Word, the more peace you will have and I can attest to that statement because since starting this blog, it has caused me to be in my Bible more and not just reading more but actually studying more and I have peace over situations and circumstances that I never really thought I'd have peace about. It's wonderful!
While reading and studying God's Word I also came across John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
"That in me ye might have peace" is a statement by Jesus Christ. We can have peace through Jesus Christ and through God's Word.
We spend time with the ones we love. We spend time doing the things we love, eating foods that we love. The Bible promises peace to those that "love thy law". If you need peace, may I suggest you start with spending time with Jesus Christ in prayer and take the time falling in love with God's Word.
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