Let Peace Rule

Colossians 3:15
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

We are conflicted at birth.  I think we may be conflicted at conception.  Babies come out kicking and screaming and needing constant attention.  From there our old sin nature begins.
 
We are born in sin.  Yet when we are reborn or "born again" (saved)... we are called to peace and the formula for reconciliation is in our hearts.  Peace within and peace with others.  There is one key word and one key phrase in this verse that put this all in perspective.  The word is "let".  We must LET peace rule.  Which means we have to give up control.

The phrase is "And be thankful", which sounds like an addendum to the peace verse but is not connected to the next verse so it belongs here because thankfulness which leads to gratitude can help us maintain peace.

The Word says we are conflicted often because we don't get what we want.  That is a problem because we aren't grateful for what we have.  Comparisons and jealousy lead to conflict.  So today I am going to LET peace rule and be thankful.  Maybe tomorrow and the next day too.

In Him,


Pastor Fred 

Grace Plus Nothing

Today's Devotional comes to us from council member Faith Peay.

One of my favorite books , “Grace Plus Nothing” by Jeff Harkin, is a book  I read  a few years ago and it had such an impact on my Christian walk that I love to share.  So here goes:   Let’s face it.  We live in a society that has more information about God than any other place on this planet.  There are more how- to get holy, to be healed, to have prosperity to, well, you name it. But even if you feel you are successful in righteousness, you will still yearn for that abiding peace and lasting satisfaction.  Where are they?  Christians are supposed to have them right?

I had an angry parent to live with who was very religious to a fault.  She knew all of the rules about obeying God, and what you should and should not do.  It was all about doing things right and perfect, and that’s how you get God’s love, approval and favor. It took years to understand that that just isn’t true.  Every Christian must face this truth:  Our righteousness can’t do it.  That’s the first chapter of Jeff’s book.   I felt I could never live up to God’s expectations.  It seemed like everyone was more holy than me.  I felt condemned.  I finally gave up.  I can’t do this, and this allowed God to intervene in a powerful way in my life.  God does not cause your failure,  but he allows you to fail in order to reveal that your righteousness can never satisfy his requirements for righteousness.

The standard of the gospel is always God’s righteousness.  How do we obtain this?

(Romans 3: 21-24) But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is Christ Jesus.

God’s standard is always God’s righteousness, and that is where you find peace.  You do not find peace trusting in your own righteousness, but from trusting only Christ, by having faith in Him and His gift of righteousness.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for letting me share,

Faith

Outsiders

Daily Devotional

"Outsiders"

Colossians 4:5
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."

As the saying goes, "You may be the only Bible some people will ever read." It is definitely wise to be very careful how we represent our faith, particularly to those who are outside the faith. As Christians we too often mess up our initial and subsequent impressions with potential believers. Too often it has been understandably said, "If this is how Christians act, why would I want to be one?" 

We need to more carefully choose our words and monitor our actions in public and private conversations and situations. Especially these days when we are being scrutinized all the time. So, we can't be perfect, as we know, but we could sure clean up our act. How about we clean up from the inside out? Then we could just be who we really are. And..... when we are unwise, admit it right away.

I have acted and spoken in ways that are inappropriate with "outsiders", and for that I am sorry. Perhaps just as much, I am sorry for how I have messed up with "insiders" too. Whether in actions or words, inside or outside, we could all be wiser. That would make the most of every opportunity far more often.

I know I should be more conscientious, how about you?

Humbly,

Pastor Fred

Grace and Peace

I Corinthians 1:3
"Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
Paul shares several variations of this basic blessing in all his letters.  This is also exactly what I am feeling today.  I want everyone who reads this today to experience grace and peace.
A great definition of grace is "getting what we don't deserve".  The gift of grace is nothing we earn.  God bestows it to us out of His unconditional love.  He paid for it and it is free to us.  I wish all of you God's grace.
A wonderful illustration of peace is "the peace that passes understanding".  Peace that is beyond our comprehension.  I hope for all of you this kind of peace today.  That at any moment your hearts could be flooded with the goodness, kindness and joy of God's grace and peace.  Receive it today from Him.
I love in this verse the pairing of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and am connected to Him eternally through my faith in the salvation that comes through my Lord Jesus Christ.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you today by the power of the Holy Spirit, blessing your every breath with grace and peace.  Receiving it now myself and passing it on to you.
With His Love and mine,
Pastor Fred

Gratitude is a Choice

Today’s devotional is from James MacDonald and was provided by Lifeway stores.

“Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1Thessalonians 5:18

Gratitude Is a Choice

Life is all about choices.  Attitude is the first one.  When you encounter a situation that isn’t what you think it should be, you must choose to see it like the proverbial glass half-full or the glass half-empty.  Those two paths take you to different places, depending on your attitude.

In Numbers 14 God said to a whole generation of His own children, “I can’t take your attitude anymore.  Go back into the wilderness and die.”  He loved these people; He miraculously and dramatically rescued them.  But no matter what He did for them, they refused to stop murmuring.  So God decided to give their kids the blessing they wouldn’t let Him give to them—all because they refused to change their attitude.

All it would have taken was a heartfelt thank-You.  God would have been pleased if they had just been grateful for all the ways He had protected and cared for them just as He had promised to do.  A simple acknowledgment of what they had received from His hand was all He wanted.  Their gratitude would have changed history.

Pay attention to almost any self-improvement book, magazine article, blog or television talk show that provides a list for a better life, and you’ll find that the number one answer is to be thankful for all the good in your life.  Even pagans see the truth in the choice of a thankful attitude.

A God-centered, faith-oriented, grateful life is a healthier, happier life.  This advice is from people who don’t even know God.  It’s commonly accepted that fulfillment comes when you get outside yourself.  Joy begins to flow when you stop focusing on the glass half-empty and focus instead on the glass half-full by giving thanks.  God’s fullness comes to those who turn from complaining and embrace thankfulness as the focus of their thought life.

Where’s your attitude taking you today?  You may be putting up a good front, but is your heart stuck somewhere between a complaining and a thankful attitude?  Need help getting out of a wilderness?

Begin the trek out with this thought: God is kind and good to offer us another path, the higher road of a thankful attitude.  Let’s get on it.

Faith

I am currently pulling a few Daily Devotionals from the Grace Harbor archives. This devotional written by Kim Caldwell struck a cord with me. Our Women’s Bible Study Group is currently working on a study by Beth Moore titled “When Godly People Do Ungodly Things”. This is a reminder not to give in to the devil’s seduction and be in God’s Word everyday. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land” God is looking for men and women who will live by the Word not just by what they may see, smell, taste, feel and hear. God’s word has to be the absolute authority in your life. When the word of God is mixed with faith it becomes an active, living Word. Faith has to be believed and acted on so it can benefit you. Do you believe a lie?? Do you really believe God?? It is easy to get caught up in the daily stuff of this world and yes we can all fall easy to believe a lie. But when we believe a lie, we forfeit our intimate relationship with God. We cease to be an instrument through which God can get the glory. We forfeit the blessing of getting in on the riches that God has for us. It is a costly thing to believe a lie. My brothers and sisters in Christ……..please do not take your eye off of our Lord…….walk with Jesus and Jesus only……..a believer has no trouble with faith when he sees Jesus. But the devil will do everything possible to keep you away from the BIBLE……why? Because this is where we as Christians see JESUS. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, the road ahead will seem like a huge mountain that you will never be able to cross. You have to be in the Bible everyday to really see what God has in store for your life. Have a friend that will hold you accountable. Go to our Wednesday night bible study class for Men and Women……..come to church on Sunday and get fed the Word of God………stay connected my friends and keep your eye on Jesus. Oh how precious our Lord is. There is only one answer to faith……….and that is GOD. Love in Christ, Kim Caldwell

God Lifts The Pressure

Today’s Devotional comes from the Grace Harbor archives from previous Council Member, Dolly Whitlock: “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 In this Psalm, David begins by telling the "mighty ones" to give the Lord glory and strength, and to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. David then goes on to recount the strength that the Lord holds in His voice. The Lord's voice thunders, is full of majesty, breaks the cedars, divides the flames of fire, shakes the wilderness and strips the forest bare. The Psalm ends with the good news that the Lord will give strength to His people, and bless them with peace. What kind of strength do you need today? Physical? Emotional? Mental? Spiritual? Are you lacking peace? What do you need help accepting? facing? forgiving? letting go of? Lift your voice to the Lord as best you can, and ask. Ask Him today for strength and peace, and look forward to hearing the Lord's mighty voice in your spirit. Worship Him in the beauty of holiness, and feel the peace that can be yours today. May Strength And Peace Be Yours Today, Dolly Whitlock