From: October 15, 2023
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT).
Although Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians in Greek, as a Jewish background believer he almost certainly had the Hebrew word, “shalom,” in mind when he offered this benediction of peace. Shalom is more than a cessation of hostility. It is a deep and abiding state of rest and a sense that all things are well and that all things will be well.
It is the “Lord of Peace” who gives us this peace. For in Christ we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). After His reconciling peace makes us right in our vertical relationship with God, it works inward to give us peace in our minds and hearts and then outward to work peace into our horizontal relationships with others. The Lord Jesus Himself is our shalom, our peace. When we abide in Christ, we have shalom in our souls.
Are you going through a time or situation that causes anxiety? Pray. Turn your worries into prayers and let the peace of Christ flood your soul. As we read in Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we lift our worries up to You. For You alone are able to give us true peace. Even though we still face trials and troubles in this world, we know that all things will be well. For You are our God. You are our peace. Strengthen us to serve You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 15, 2022
HAVE YOU HEARD GOD’S ENTIRE MESSAGE?
God told the prophet Jeremiah to preach the “entire message” that He had given him. God’s purpose was to warn His people of their sins, so that they might repent, not to tickle their ears.
God’s instruction to Jeremiah is the same today. Medicine is ineffective absent its active ingredients. Preachers are to preach the whole Word, not leaving out the unpleasant parts. And hearers are to listen to every word, especially the parts that convict, and turn from their sin. Reading and hearing the entire message is what opens people’s hearts to repentance and salvation. The power is in the Word, not the eloquence of the preacher.
We need the whole Word. That’s why we encourage others to join us in reading the One Year Bible. We’re getting a dose of God’s entire message every day, 365 days a year.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. May we swallow it whole. For it is both food and medicine for our souls. Help us to give it out whole when we teach and preach. Help us to apply the entire message to our lives and repent of anything that displeases You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 15, 2016
Do you need to be revitalized? Has life lost its joy? When no amount of rest and relaxation seems to revive you. When recreation does not distract you from a dull discouragement. Where will you turn? The Psalmist tells us to turn to the Lord, to ask Him for life and joy!
From: October 15, 2015
Paul’s prayer: May the Word spread quickly and be held in honor by all. Paul asked the Thessalonians to join him in praying that the gospel would go out unhindered and be accepted, just as they had accepted it. Would you join me in praying Paul’s prayer? That the Word of God would “run swiftly” in our city, our region, our country and in our world. And that it would be “glorified,” in human hearts as they receive it as the gospel of God.
From: October 15, 2014
God told the prophet Jeremiah to preach the “entire message.” God’s purpose was to warn His people of their sins, so that they might repent, not to tickle their ears. God’s instruction to Jeremiah is the same to those who would preach God’s Word today. We are to preach the whole Word, not leaving out the unpleasant parts. Medicine is ineffective absent its active ingredients. Preaching the entire gospel message is what opens people’s hearts to repentance and salvation.