Promises for the Battle
Promises
Peace #6—Intentional Peace
Do you want a lifetime of good times? Then don’t speak evil or treacherous words! Turn away from evil and do what is good! Seek peace and pursue it! Psalm 34:12–15 “Accidental peace,” if not exactly an oxymoron, is such an incongruous pairing that Scripture never suggests its existence. Instead, peace occurs as we intentionally … Continue reading
Peace #5—Kingdom Peace
Since the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, we pursue what makes for peace and for edifying one another. Romans 14:17–19 When Jesus began his ministry, he started by issuing this proclamation: “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe in the good news!” To the … Continue reading
Peace #4—Wise Peace
Wisdom’s ways are very pleasant, and peace characterizes all its paths. Proverbs 3:17 No panic. No damage. No regrets. Especially no regrets. No regrets along the way; no regrets at journey’s end. Whatever way godly wisdom takes us, we’ll be glad we went that way. We are wise when we align ourselves with God’s purpose … Continue reading
Peace #3—Meek Peace
Refrain from anger; abandon rage! Do not fret for this only leads to trouble! … The meek who rely on Yahweh are the ones who will possess the land and enjoy abundant peace. Psalm 37:8–11 Moses was a model of meekness; the meekest person in the land, someone said. To achieve this status he had … Continue reading
Peace #2—Imitative Peace
Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the upright! For the person characterized by peace has a future. Sinful rebels will be totally destroyed; evil people have no future. Psalm 37:37–38 See one, do one, teach one. Or, as my four year old nephew said to his two year old brother, “Watch this … Continue reading
Peace #1—Peace With God
The Bible indicates that peace is a function of integrity: Peace is what we experience when we are at one with God: when we, as regents of his reign over creation, align our lives with his good purpose. Peace is what we enjoy when we are at one with our neighbors: when none of us … Continue reading
Christmas Infinities
I am the door; those who enter through me will be kept safe, and will go in and out and find sustenance … I came that they may have infinitely more than the necessities of life. John 10:9–10 What do Ebenezer Scrooge, George Bailey, Jack Campbell and Sidney Milburn have in common? They are all … Continue reading
Speech #1—Edifying Words
Let no rotten word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification (according to the need of the moment) so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29) Because we live in a community with other human beings, it is extremely important that we be conscientious … Continue reading
Praised by God #8 — Pleasing Praise
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 Gracious God, pleasing you is such a pleasure! You have made it so simple. Creation reveals … Continue reading
Praised by God #7 — Well Done!
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Matthew 25:21 No participation trophy here. No words of praise or welcome for failure. We can only expect to hear these words … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 