Day 17
Bible Texts:
Matthew 8:24-26 "Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
James 3:17-18 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
So much dissension, arguing and anger it’s like a raging sea. That storm is not just causing ripples, but waves that are divisive and destructive to the core of what America stands for.
The waves cause some of us to be fearful and afraid, others of us jump right in and join in the storm. However, we are called to trust in God when fear comes and we are called to be peacemakers. So if our reaction to the storm is to be afraid, God commands us, “Fear not!” His promises are true and we can trust that when He says He will strengthen us, help us, and be with us, that is exactly what He means. We are also called to be peacemakers. This doesn’t mean we water down the truth or don’t speak it. It means we speak Jesus’ truths in love, with a heart filled with kindness and gentleness and with a desire to be part of calming the storm. We sow peace when we act peacefully.
Prayer: Cry out to the Lord today on behalf of America and her people. Ask the Lord to quiet the storm and the waves. Ask Him to bring peace into our hearts that we might walk fearlessly into our day knowing He is always with us. Ask Him to give us the strength to be peacemakers when our reaction is to join the storm or make it bigger.
By Ann Goehner
Matthew 8:24-26 "Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
James 3:17-18 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
So much dissension, arguing and anger it’s like a raging sea. That storm is not just causing ripples, but waves that are divisive and destructive to the core of what America stands for.
The waves cause some of us to be fearful and afraid, others of us jump right in and join in the storm. However, we are called to trust in God when fear comes and we are called to be peacemakers. So if our reaction to the storm is to be afraid, God commands us, “Fear not!” His promises are true and we can trust that when He says He will strengthen us, help us, and be with us, that is exactly what He means. We are also called to be peacemakers. This doesn’t mean we water down the truth or don’t speak it. It means we speak Jesus’ truths in love, with a heart filled with kindness and gentleness and with a desire to be part of calming the storm. We sow peace when we act peacefully.
Prayer: Cry out to the Lord today on behalf of America and her people. Ask the Lord to quiet the storm and the waves. Ask Him to bring peace into our hearts that we might walk fearlessly into our day knowing He is always with us. Ask Him to give us the strength to be peacemakers when our reaction is to join the storm or make it bigger.
By Ann Goehner
1 Comment
Jesus, show me how to be a bold peacemaker. Help me to seek--above all else--Your truth, mercy, love, and peace. In Your Name, Amen