‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Looking at this photo I see strong sea shells that have been shaped over time by the ocean. We too are strong and overtime have been shaped by our faith. We can stand taller and stronger knowing the God of all peace is in control. I also see a pair of sunglasses. Those glasses can change our perception of the sun. We have the choice to put them on or take them off. Perception is a choice. 

Martin Luther King Jr. has written, “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at the goal.”

I pray each of us will choose to walk in God’s peace and rely on His strength with each new day. We know that only God can give us that strength to accomplish our goals as we read in ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Will you choose to seek God through the process of reaching your goals?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the process of reaching my goals through Your strength and for Your glory. I desire to seek You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

A tree can be a symbol of hope. Not only are trees made by God but they are also designed to transform over the years to become big and strong. I want us to reflect on four key words from this verse in Romans.

Hope: A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Joy: A feeling of great pleasure.

Peace: Freedom from disturbance; tranquility.

Trust: Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

I encourage us all to pick a word to focus on today. When we start to feel discouraged, sad, or worried may this verse transform our feelings to bring us joy, to place our trust in God so that we can experience peace and hope.

What do the coming days look like for you? Maybe you have a long to-do list. Maybe your calendar is full of appointments. Perhaps not much is planned, either way, looking at a full week can be exhausting. Good news, each day has been given its own date with 24 hours. We can take it one day, one hour at a time. Treat each day as a gift. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of today. I desire to trust in You and what You have planned for me today so that I can experience Your peace and hope. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

One of my favorite promises to stand on is from Philippians 4:13. We tend to overlook the verse that it follows, Philippians 4:12 NIV — I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

The definition of contentment; a state of happiness and satisfaction. Contentment and the gift of peace could look different for so many. It may be free of addiction, or financial freedom, or a wayward child comes home, or a marriage mended, or a loved one saved, or a cancer patient healed. As humans, we think we know what contentment looks like, so we continually strive for more. We tend to become unsettled and are no longer at peace with ourselves when our idea of contentment changes. 

I encourage you this week to evaluate what contentment looks like for you. Ask God to settle your heart and give you His perfect peace. There are days when your Journey to peace is longer than others, remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that I can do all things through You who strengthens me. Settle my heart and give me peace that only You can offer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Sunday was International Day of Peace, also known as “World Peace Day.” We live in a world full of sin and turmoil. Thankfully God has equipped leaders to lead our nations. Deborah, Ray, and I have been reading through the Bible in a year with Tara-Leigh Coble and The Bible Recap. Today we finished day 266 and we haven’t even started the New Testament yet. It amazes me to read about all the biblical kings and their destruction. It has made me thankful for our current day. 

In looking at today’s key verse, we know that God is in control. When we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, we say, “one nation under God.” Although we have different religions throughout the world, we have one Creator. The Psalms instruct us to be still and know that God is God and He will be exalted. How comforting is that!

I leave you with a challenge to pray for our nations and the leadership. Let’s join together to humbly seek peace. May we spur on the hope and peace that only God can provide.

Let’s pray. Dear God, I surrender our nations and leadership to You. I humbly come before You and seek the peace and hope that only You can provide. Equip our leaders to make decisions for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Take a moment to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭28‬-‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

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Today is International Day of Peace, also known as “World Peace Day.”

Peace and hope may feel unattainable most days. The good news of the gospel is that we don’t have to attain it on our own. God is “I am” and capable of all things.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Let’s worship together with The Great I am Can by Brandon Lake.

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