Day 21: 50 Days of Passion

We read about people petitioning for peace or hear of people striving for world peace, but I come to wonder what it is that they are actually looking for? Do they even really understand what they are striving for? Is it even possible?  With all the turmoil in the world today one could wonder if it is really an option.

 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

 

 

This verse gives us a taste and a formula on how to experience God’s peace in our lives. I take from here that peace is a confidence that you are walking with Jesus, that he has you no matter what life might throw your way and your okay with that. So here is my break down on how one might experience Gods peace.

1. You must be living in Christ Jesus – a relationship with Jesus is essential, accepting his sacrifice on the cross. This is paramount, for with out this nothing else matters.
2. Thanksgiving – be thankful for your life, and everything in it. The good times and the not so good times. God has already done so much for you, life itself.
3. Pray – ask God for what you need, and pray for others. Nothing is to small or insignificant for you to ask him.
4. Don’t worry- this can be the biggest challenge as we tend to be concerned all the time on how things will turn out. To let it go and trust God is key to receiving peace.

 

It is only when we as humanity find peace with God will we then be able to finally have world peace. I look at the bumper sticker and wonder how much truth is in those simple words.

‘No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace.’

We can’t expect those reading a sticker to understand but as believers we need to be open and willing to share our faith and help people know who Jesus is. It isn’t just knowing about Jesus either, it is about surrendering and truly knowing who he is.

 

I pray that even today you will apply these to your life, and will experience God’s peace in your life. That will protect your heart and mind from the enemies’ attack, and that you will have confidence to boldly share the peace and love you have received in Jesus.

 

Jesus, thank you so much for everything you have given us, your blessings are more then we realize. As we apply this scripture to our lives we ask that you protect us from the attacks of worry and restlessness and provide us with peace. Let us walk boldly in your peace and work to share your love with those around us. They matter to you so they matter to us. Amen

 

 

Day 17: Original 50 Days of Pray Revisited

Thoughts on Day 17: As this was just new, I was quick and some days only presented a quick prayer or though, Todays was “Today I have just have point to ponder. If marriage was easy then everyone would do it. Fight for your marriage, don’t give up, don’t surrender. FIGHT”

I have added a post from a few days after the 50 Days, to have a completed 50 Days.

 

 

Day 17

Jesus then said, “I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind.” Some Pharisees overheard him and said, “Does that mean you’re calling us blind?” Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.” (John 9:39-41 MSG)

There are three types of people in the world, the blind, those who were once blind, and those who pretend to see.

1) The blind – those who are stumbling in the darkness, easily led down paths of destruction.

2) The healed – Jesus has healed them if their blindness and now they see clearly and walk in confidence. They might not always recognize the healer as in the story above, but they sure want to.

3) The pretender – these people could have been healed at one point in their lives but at some point, choose to gouge out their own eyes, or they may never even experienced sight before. They work hard at getting people to believe that they really can see, that they can even fool those who can. Jesus tells us these pretenders will be held accountable for their actions. So if you hear if a preacher twisting the gospel to meet their needs and not Gods, run, so you don’t get entangled in his false teachings.

For a while I felt like I was a pretender, not sure if my relationship with Christ was genuine. God has shown me otherwise. I trust He has given me sight and insights that otherwise I wouldn’t have.

If your feeling lost, blind of like a pretender, ask God to open your eyes fully. Maybe you started to blindfold yourself from the truth and need Him to rip it off. God has something to show you and needs your eyes fully open to experience it.

Dear Jesus, open my eyes fully. I want to see? Your truth clearly. Help me to lead those who are blind to the healer. I want to help those who are lost in the darkness not be a hindrance to them causing them to stumble further into the darkness. Thank You for healing my sight. Amen