Peace or Conflict

Scripture:

Isaiah 2:4 (NIV)

He will judge between the nations
    and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
    nor will they train for war anymore.

Devotional

As I was getting ready to be discharged from the Navy the Golf War was underway.  I had considered extending my time in the Navy, or even enlisting for another four years.  In the end I decided it was time to go home.  The day after I was officially discharged President Busch halted all discharges.  Those getting ready to go home were now forced to stay in.  I look back and think how close I came to being over there.  I was just a decision and a day away from it all.  I have known people that were in combat in Vietnam or even a few from the Korean War.  It seems that wars and conflicts are everywhere all the time.

Matthew 24:6 (NIV) states, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Even though we will be at war and hints of war will be all around us an end will come.  Someday Jesus will return and then peace will reign.  Are we at the end of days, I don’t know.  I don’t believe so.  If you look through history man has always been at war.  We not only war with one another we are at war with Satan.  Some are even at war with God.  No matter what happens in the end Jesus already won.  Choose which side of the battle lines you are on.  Dig deep and prepare for battle.  Why because we are at war.  Not with each other but with Satan and his minions.  Ephesians 6:12 (NIV):

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

But remember in the end we win.  When all is said and done there will be peace.  Expect adversity. Expect troubles and conflicts.  Just know you are not alone and you have the peace of Christ with you no matter what and where you are. 

Serving Others

Scripture:
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!

Devotional:

Your attitude sets the stage.  It is that simple.  If you have a bad attitude people will see it.  People will not want to be around you.  Life can become miserable.  If you have a selfish attitude then your life becomes all about you.  Nothing is ever done for anyone else without a price placed upon it.  However, if you take on Jesus’s attitude your life will be filled with joy and peace. 

Think about the last time you did something for someone with no strings attached.  You became a servant and you helped another person.  When all was said and done how did you feel?  Helping others and becoming a servant is what we are supposed to do.    Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi tells us how our attitude should be.

The thing is that we cannot do this on our own.  That is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit.  To be our guide and our strength, a source of help.  Luke 24:49 states “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  We are given what we need to change our hearts and attitude.  We are given what we need to become servants like Christ.  You don’t have to rush into it.  Take it one step at a time.  Do something, anything, for someone with no strings attached.  Do something for someone in need.  It can be anything.  You can cut their grass, wash their car, or even shovel snow and ice.  Maybe they just need you to listen and be a friend.  Does someone you know need a meal or maybe a bag of groceries?  Pray and ask God how He can use you to be servant like Christ…