‭‭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.

@biblegateway @youversion

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

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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‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

This weekend we are taking the opportunity to spend time in Greenville, South Carolina while visiting our son in Clemson. I am reminded of all our trips to Shriners Hospital for our daughter’s scoliosis. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Scoliosis at age 4. Her strength, determination, and positive attitude was a testimony of God’s goodness. Even in the midst of a test, God gives us what we need.

We can savor our testimony by continually sharing it with others. Will you bless others with your story and your testimony? Don’t know what to say? Take a moment to jot a few bullet points on a note card. Keep it in your car, purse, or wallet so you’re ready when God calls you to share.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for being in the midst of my story. Help me to always be ready to share my story and my testimony to those who need to hear it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Believing in John Wesley’s style, that the life of faith is a journey, we don’t ever fully arrive. Mark Batterson asks in his IF book: “What if everything in your past is God’s way of preparing you for something in your future?”

Often you read or hear me share about my life verse, Philippians 1:6. By sharing my life verse, I am able to share how I am a continual work in progress for God’s glory. On Tuesday I asked you to recall a time in your life you have been tested. I will share some of my tests and trials that have helped shape me. 

Wednesday I shared about my Dad’s cancer journey. If you have ever read my personal testimony, you know I have overcome the power of addiction. I have also overcome cervical pre-cancer from the Human Papilloma Virus. In each story, God has used my test to give a testimony. What testimony has God impressed upon your heart to share?

Dear God, thank You for times when I can share Your glory, rather than focus on the trials. I pray for our readers and listeners, that they will feel encouraged to share their testimony for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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