From God's Power to Sharing His Peace
Week 25 establishes the foundational truths of Christian living. This week invites you to marvel at God's creative power, embrace suffering as part of discipleship, trust daily through life's challenges, and discover your purpose: sharing Christ's peace with a hurting world.
Recognizing God's power and expressing gratitude for His blessings.
"I am the one who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts."
What a delight it would have been to see God creating our universe from nothing, to see order from chaos. And now we live in a remarkable world with finely tuned mechanisms that He established to provide us a pleasant home.
Learning to follow Jesus Christ and disciple others, with an emphasis on self-examination and spiritual growth.
"Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled."
Our Father never promised us the absence of pain and suffering; we sometimes suffer because of the disobedience of others and our own sin, yet we receive His blessings. What could be greater than being blessed and cared for by the Creator of the universe?
Surrendering to God's will and acknowledging His grace in transforming lives.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord."
In our sojourn in this life, each day has its own challenges that we must deal with—just and unjust events in our homes, our families, our friends, and in our realm of influence. And yet, day by day, God blesses us as we learn to trust Him more and more.
Being aware of God's presence and the situations He presents for service.
"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Each day for me begins anew and afresh, even those days that come after not-so-good days or nights when we struggle with sleeplessness. This daily newness begins when we start the day in prayer and Bible study, spending time at the Master's feet, listening as He explains His scriptures.
Embracing God's call and caring for others, including family and fellow believers.
"All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies."
Every morning I spend quality time with my heavenly Father, listening as He prepares me for the day ahead. On some days I will teach discipleship or maybe academic skills in a Christian school, or maybe it is a day when I get to pray with others. All these are ministries that the Lord leads me through as I try to obey Him.
Living out God's commands and serving others wholeheartedly.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Pride can easily rise up in our minds and influence our attitudes, especially when God uses us in a mighty way to accomplish His purposes. We can be prideful because we are saved and privileged. God is our adopted Heavenly Father. We must remember that He didn't choose us because of our goodness, but so that we could be changed from within by grace and not by our works.
Understanding the needs of others and sharing the hope of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
So this is the message that we are to share with a hurting world: we have peace, and so can they when they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through grace.
💭 My Reflection on Day 1