Scripture: John 16:33

The interesting thing about John 16:33 is the way Jesus makes this statement. He speaks of trials with certainty. “In this world you WILL have trials.” However, there is a comforting turn of phrase after he makes this statement, “BUT, take heart, I have overcome the world.” 

At the very beginning of this verse Jesus says that He has told them things so that they can find peace in Him. This portion of scripture is part of what we could call Jesus’ farewell address to his disciples. He speaks of His relationship with His Father and His presence with Him. Basically Jesus is saying His teachings about who He is, who His Father is and all things in between have been given to them to provide them a solid foundation of peace. Jesus knew what was coming for the disciples then and He knows what is coming for us now. 

The foundation of peace Jesus offers is not in the absence of trouble but in the midst of it. When we look at the Greek word for overcome which is “nikao,” we see that it means to have victory or to conquer. As a believer this is significant for us. The victory of Jesus is not simply a past event, it is a present reality. This has daily implications for those who call Him their Savior. Presently it means, in the uncertainty of this world we can live in the victory of our Savior. He has won and we have too! 

When you feel the pressure of uncertain times, the distress of not understanding the world around you, remember your peace is rooted in who Jesus is, what He taught us, and the victory He won yesterday, today and for all eternity. We can find strength for today in His Word. He not only told the disciples all these things so that they could have peace, but He gave His Word so that we could have peace too. Believe Him at His Word and find peace!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of peace that you’ve given me.  I recognize that I can live in the victory of Jesus, my Savior no matter what circumstances I face.  I lay my anxious thoughts at the foot of the cross and leave them there.  Replace my worry with your perfect peace during this season of uncertainty.  Thank you that I can be more than a conqueror through the blood of Jesus. In Jesus name, amen.  

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

This scripture is fairly straightforward about how we should behave as people who belong to Jesus. As Sherlock Holmes used to say in the old movies, “It’s elementary, my dear Watson!” However, as straightforward and elementary as this scripture is, we often find it hard to practice these things when we disagree with someone. 

It is easy to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to those we agree with. But we need the help of The Holy Spirit in order for us to show these things to those we do not see eye to eye with. The thing is, God gave us free will, and with that comes differing patterns of thought based on religion, culture, environment, socioeconomics, political ideologies, age, and on and on the list could go. While our decision-making looks different, as followers of Jesus, we all have access to The Word of God, and we have the ability to pray, reason, and seek the guidance of The Holy Spirit. Still, we interpret life and decisions very differently. 

The reality is that even believers fall on opposite sides of many different issues. Our role as Jesus’ followers is still to behave the way Ephesians 4:30-32 charges us to behave. Sometimes we need to agree to disagree and love each other anyway. We must let The Holy Spirit do His job and not get in His way. In this current political season in our country, being a follower of Jesus will require full surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It will require us to watch our words, guard our hearts, love well, and remember to forgive as we have been forgiven. 

Kindness is needed today and every day. Kindness, even in the face of disagreement, may just be the difference between an opportunity to lead someone to Jesus and forfeiting the right to that honor altogether. Kindness, even in the face of disagreement, may just be the difference between a unified body of Christ and a church family that doesn’t look much different than the world. 

Today, remember who you belong to and share the kindness of Jesus with everyone you interact with throughout your day, even those on the other side of a text, an email, or a social media post. Kindness from those who belong to Jesus matters, especially in a world where kindness is all but extinct. Be kind, friends – even to those you disagree with.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I surrender my thoughts and feelings to you.  Forgive me for any unkind actions or words that have harmed others.  I ask you to lead me in the way I treat those around me.  I want to reflect Jesus to everyone I meet in all circumstances.  Help me to be kind, show love, and watch my words and actions even when I disagree.  Help me to not get so caught up in life’s circumstances that I forget to do my part to bring unity to the body of Christ.  In Jesus name, amen.

Scripture: James 1:5

This scripture says we should ask God for wisdom, but how do we do that? We are inundated with information everywhere we look. Our minds are cluttered with what the world says is wise, what the world says is right, and what the world says is the smart thing to do. Did you know that the average person takes in 174 newspapers worth of information every day? It can be overwhelming. And we can be deceived by those who have an agenda in direct opposition to God’s Word. 

As His followers, we have a source of wisdom greater than anything the world has to offer: God Almighty! Asking Him for wisdom can happen in different ways, but prayer and reading The Bible are two of the best ways to seek God’s wisdom. Wisdom can also come from individuals who give wise counsel rooted in the principles of The Word of God, a Kingdom agenda! 

Seeking God’s wisdom helps us make decisions. Placing a vote in favor of a leader is best done through wisdom and understanding. God has said to ask Him for wisdom, and voting in an election is a great time to call on Him to help us make the best decision. He can help bring clarity to a decision like this if we approach Him with an open heart and mind, a heart and mind ready to listen and learn from His Word. Allow His wisdom to inform the way you make decisions and the way you vote. 

Prayer:  Thank you, God Almighty, for giving the gift of wisdom to all who ask. You could give it in small, measured amounts, but instead, You promise to give wisdom generously to each of us without finding fault. I ask today that You bless me with wisdom in all areas of my life. In particular, give me wisdom in how I should vote. Help me to focus my eyes on You and Your Word instead of on the media and all the information coming at me each day. I want to follow Your ways and make all my decisions with godly wisdom. In Jesus Name, amen.

Scripture: Galatians 6:9
Sometimes, we can doubt that the way we interact with the world around us really matters. But it does. We do make an impact on our world. That impact is in how we engage with others. How we relate can be fruitful or destructive. Even in small interactions like the way we speak to a cashier at a store or deeper interactions like we might have with a family member. The difference maker as we engage with others is usually found in whether we are operating from a place of self-focus or spirit-focus.  

In Galatians 6, Paul reminds the people that relying on their flesh and working to please their flesh will not get them anywhere; in fact, it can lead to death both physically and spiritually. He goes on to speak of the eternal life they will gain if they will focus on matters of the Spirit. Then, he encourages them not to grow weary in doing good. The nugget of truth here is that our inner focus impacts our outer attitudes and has kingdom implications. 

Today, be encouraged not to grow weary in doing good. As you lead with a heart focused on and led by The Spirit of God, your life will have a kingdom impact. The world we live in can be exhausting, but as people of God, led by the Spirit of God, focused on the kingdom of God, and looking forward to eternity with God, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up or give in. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I thank you for the opportunity I have to impact the world around me for good. I humbly ask that you would help me live on mission for you, even in this difficult world. Help me operate from a Spirit-driven heart and trust in you with hopeful expectations of what you’re going to do through me as I interact with others around me. I pray for a positive kingdom impact and ask that I will not grow weary of being who you have called me to be as your child. Grant me the patience I need to stay true to you in all I do! In Jesus name, amen.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”                (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Paul is charging young Timothy with some things to do so he can stay faithful and lead well. Paul’s list for Timothy begins with urging him to earnestly ask, pray, intercede, and give thanks on behalf of all people. There is an urgency to this ask. He then specifically tells him to do so for kings and all who are in “high positions.” Why? So that all people can lead peaceful, quiet lives that are godly and dignified. He then goes on to remind Timothy that God wants everyone to be saved and know the truth. 

Context is important when reading scripture because it helps us understand at a deeper level. When reading these words written by Paul it is valuable to know that Nero was the one in authority during that time. He was one of the most evil rulers of his time and viciously opposed anyone who was a follower of Jesus. But Paul is telling young Timothy to pray for those in authority because God wants them to be saved and know the truth that could set them free. 

Today this scripture is a humbling reminder that God wants everyone, all people, to know Him. He wants your neighbor to know Him, He wants your family to know Him, He wants school board members, city council members, mayors, sheriffs, governors, senators, kings, queens and presidents to know Him. Our job is the same as Timothy’s: to ask, pray, intercede, and give thanks on behalf of the most common among us, and the seemingly great and powerful among us. 

Pray for all people, but especially pray for those in authority. If Paul could set aside the evil perpetrated by Nero to pray for him then we should be able to do the same in this moment of history. When we set aside our feelings toward someone in order to pray for them to be saved and know the truth, it is good and it pleases our Heavenly Father! Prayer is our mandate, and it is no respecter of persons. 

Prayer:  Father, I come before you to ask, pray, intercede and give thanks for all people. God, I pray that they would come to know you. I pray for their eyes to be open to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray specifically for those in authority. Save them, Father. Soften their hearts and help them lead with dignity. Help them to lead peaceful, quiet, godly lives in every way. I lay all of our local, state, national and world leaders at your feet. Bring revelation and pour out your Spirit on all people so that all are saved. Give me a heart for the lost among us and an urgency in my prayers in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24

“Take up your cross and follow me.” This may seem scary and difficult and to do so daily may feel impossible until you read the rest of the verse: losing your life for Jesus sake will actually save you. This is all about surrender, letting go of anything that keeps you from completely, fully following Jesus. 

Someone once said, “Don’t be fooled into thinking you independently know what is most fulfilling for you. Instead, go on a one way journey with Jesus and don’t let those who criticize you cause you to turn around. Follow Jesus because He wants you to be with Him, and He wants to be with you. And in this relationship of your’s, you will find life just as the Father and Jesus have planned it for you – and nothing could be better.” In other words, let Jesus lead. It won’t be easy – that’s the cross part. But, on the other side of it all there is life, abundant life! 

We may not always understand. Life may not always go the way we planned or the way we want it to go. But if we commit to following Jesus in full surrender, giving up our life for life in Him, we will find eternal life! In today’s culture charged with anti-Christian rhetoric, taking up your cross may put you on the opposite side of many issues. Following Jesus in full surrender will not be a cake walk. Remember, the cross may be weighty but in surrender we never carry it alone! 

Prayer: Father, I surrender to you today. Thank you for sending your son to die for me. I know I must take up my cross and follow you. I know it won’t always be easy but I pray you would help me to willingly go where you lead. Thank you for reminding me of your presence while I walk and thank you for the life you have promised me on the other side of this journey. I pray you would give me the strength I need to live this life of surrender in the world I live in today. Lead me, Lord. I belong to you. Help me stay true to you no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:6

This verse in Hebrews 13 is a quotation from Psalm 118:6. It tells us the truth that real contentment comes only when we trust in God to meet our needs and to be our confidence. Strangely, we are often more likely to put our confidence and find contentment in things that are far less reliable and secure than God Himself is.

Politics and the state of our world can shake our confidence and cause fear to rise to the surface. But, if our faith is in God, we can proclaim the same words as the writer of Hebrews: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” 

God is in control. He is on the throne, and no matter what comes, He is worthy of our confidence. No man can hurt, stall, or stop what God has ordained. 

Prayer: God, today I declare that my confidence is in you. I will not fear what tomorrow brings because you are already there. You are my God, my hope, and my fortress. Be with those who will lead our community, our state, and our nation. And, help me trust that you are in control and my life is safe in your hands. You are my confidence. In Jesus’s name, Amen.