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…

Over Loaded

Scripture:
Exodus 6:1-13 (NIV)

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord.  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.  I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.  And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.”

But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”

Family Record of Moses and Aaron

Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh King of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

Devotional:

Shortly after the economy crashed in the mid 2000’s where I worked developed a no hire policy.  Essentially the only positions that were filled were those that were deemed necessary.  No one was laid off or let go.  If they left they were not replaced.  Slowly departments became even more understaffed than before.  Everyone’s work load increased.  Benefits got worse and morale dropped.

The Egyptians oppressed the Israelites more and more as time progressed.  The Pharaoh decided to give them less straw to make the same amount of bricks.  Their work load increased and their burdens got heavier.

Does this sound like you?  Do you feel the weight of work or home weighing down on you?  Do you ask God where He is and why all this?  God did hear the Israelite nation cry out.  God saw what the Pharaoh was doing to them.  He heard and He sent someone to save His people.  God was with the Israel nation as they wandered through the desert for forty years.  He provided, guided, and protected His people.

You are one of His own and He will do the same for you.  God is with us today.  He will never forsake or leave us. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”   God will always be with us no matter what.  We are not alone and have to lift our burdens by ourselves.  Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV):

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Share the weight you carry with Jesus.  He can hold up much more than you can.  He is there waiting to help.  Call upon Him…

The Spotter

Scripture:

Psalm 55:16-22 (NASB)

As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.
He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me,
For they are many who strive with me.
God will hear and answer them
Even the one who sits enthroned from of old Selah.
With whom there is no change,
And who do not fear God.
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
He has violated his covenant.
His speech was smoother than butter,
But his heart was war;
His words were softer than oil,
Yet they were drawn swords

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Devotional:

Have you ever felt overwhelmed?  What has you feeling so bogged down you cannot even think straight.  As I ponder this I think about my burdens and what I see other people go through.  I first think that my load is way too much for me.  Then as I see what other people are going through I think maybe my burden isn’t so bad after all.  Even if my trials do not seem as bad as others they are still burdensome.   

Seriously though when I feel the weight is more than I can hold up I know I am not alone.  I can cry out to God and He will hear me.  I can place the burden upon Him and He will lift it from me.  It is through the strength that Christ gives that enables me to continue on.  For it is no longer me holding up the weight but Christ is there helping me hold it up.  Think of it like lifting weights.  A weight lifter has a spotter.  Their job is to stand ready just in case you cannot lift the weight.  When that happens the spotter steps in and assists in lifting the weights.  Jesus is spotting you and waiting for you to cry out.  Once you do He will step in and help you lift the weight up and off your shoulders…

You are not alone.  Christ hears your cries.  He is with you and is willing to be your spotter…