Tag Archives: peace

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Work Week Devotion 06.25.2017

Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV): Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing… I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Everyone has a past. Maybe you’ve made some bad decisions and have lots of regrets over hurt you’ve caused yourself and others. Maybe you’re just frustrated by your lack of intentionality or how you haven’t used your time or gifts wisely.

Satan would have you beat yourself up over what you have or haven’t done but God tells you DO NOT REMEMBER! He has done a new thing in you and your life. He will make a road in the crazy wilderness you have created or a river in the desert of your procrastination and inactivity.

Awesome Father, thank You for being all knowing yet able to forget our past. Help us to remember that in Jesus we are a new creation. Please forgive us when we listen to lies that tell us we have to live in the past. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 02.26.2017

I Timothy 4:12b

I Timothy 4:12b (NLT): Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.

Everyone is watching. An unbelieving world is watching. Other believers are watching. Some are watching for guidance and inspiration. Sadly, some are watching to catch you in a weak moment. We can’t separate the worldly and the spiritual, work and church, recreation and responsibility.

We are to reflect Christ in all aspects of our lives: the way we do business, the way we treat our families, how we act on vacation, our thoughts when we’re alone. We won’t ever be pure and perfect but we should always remember that we are to be an example to all believers and hopefully to non-believers. After all, everyone is watching.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the patience and grace you extend to us. Please forgive us when we do not reflect Christ as we should. Help us to be an example of light to fellow believers and to an unbelieving world. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 11.06.2016

Election Week Edition

Daniel 2:20-21 (NLT): …Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.

You should always vote when you have the opportunity. It is a great privilege and responsibility. We should pray before we vote, pray for who we vote for and, perhaps most importantly, pray for whomever is elected. After every election there are some very disappointed people. Social media makes it easier than ever to share that disappointment in some very toxic ways. This week I would like to remind you of some of the things that should NOT change, no matter who is elected to what position.

– How you treat your family. You are not a three year old child. Your personal feelings should never dictate how you treat your children, your spouse and others in your household. No elected leader has the power to change that. Don’t act as if they do.
– How you treat your clients/customers/patients/students. Policy changes can make many things more difficult. Being kind and giving good service costs zero dollars. Smile. Be patient and helpful. Make their day better in whatever way you can.
– Your work ethic. Sometimes life is unfair. That’s too bad. Do the best you can, to do that best job you can, no matter what. It honors your good name and more importantly it honors God.
– How you treat those with whom you work. If you are in a workplace of any size, there will be someone who doesn’t share your beliefs or opinions. You can remain steadfast in those beliefs and not compromise without being a jerk. Even if the other person is being a jerk. Take the high road even if you get a nosebleed. It’s a lot easier for God to use you when you don’t have your foot in your mouth.
– How you represent yourself on social media. Anything you post should have the aroma of Jesus, not the stench of the world. Hatred, sarcasm, bitterness and selfishness all stink. It doesn’t matter if what you are posting is based on truth; if it is mean-spirited or unnecessarily negative you are not advancing the Kingdom.

All Knowing Father, Thank you for giving us the freedoms and blessings that we have. Forgive us when we misuse them and misrepresent You. We pray for you to raise up Godly leaders for our communities and our nations. We humbly ask that you show us how to be more like Jesus in all areas of our lives, no matter the circumstances. Amen.

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Work Week Devotion 10.02.2016

Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 (NLT): Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

To have peace! To be still! It’s what we crave in the midst of our busyness. If I only had more time…If the kids were more calm or didn’t have so many activities…If my spouse were available to help more…If my job would slow down…If I could just get this one project done…We live in a world of constant motion and stimulation.

Peace isn’t the absence of activity, it is the presence of Christ in our heart and mind regardless of the whirlwind around us. We can’t make the world slow down and be peaceful for us but we can find peace in the midst of our busy world. We can access that peace no matter where we are or what we’re doing – meeting in the boardroom, teaching in the classroom, doctoring in the exam room or vacuuming in the living room.

Father God, thank you for being our peace in the midst of our whatever. Help us to remember that we can access that peace at any time and any place. Let us be an example of Your peace in a world that so desperately needs it. Amen.