“I am leaving
you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I
give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don't be
troubled or afraid.” Jn. 14:27
As in
Ezra’s day, America too has become a land polluted by the corruption of her
populace, as her people fill it with their impurity from one end to the other.
(Ez. 9:11)
We are immersed, yet God tells us to “keep from being
polluted by the world.” (Jms. 1:27) Why? Because He knows her perspectives and
ideals are seductively enticing. They feed our flesh and cause us to hunger for
more all the while, cause us to stray from the only source that truly feeds and
fills.
Feeling worn-out and
weary?
It’s no wonder! God tells us that we’re at constant war
against 3 major things:
1)
our flesh (Gal. 5:16-17)
2)
spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6:12)
3)
our world system (1 Jn. 2:15-17)
Want to find lasting
rest and peace, mercy and grace?
God’s rest is
bestowed in proportion to our obedience to what He says is important to Him.
His peace is amplified as we mature in
Him. Mercy and grace are given when we approach the Throne of Grace with
confidence, where God promises to help us in our time of need. (Matt. 11:29;
Jn. 14:27; Heb. 4:16)
There is POWER in the Lord and in His word.
“All
Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make
us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and
teaches us to do what is right…It is living and active, sharper than any
two-edged sword…discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 2 Tim.
3:16; Heb. 4:12
So HOW do I live in
the world but not be overly influenced by the world?
By living alert and resolutely purposeful in God’s hand, getting
rid of the filth in our lives, humbly accepting the word God has planted in our
hearts, deliberately swimming against the current of society for His glory,
all-the-while loving others the way we want to be loved.
Easy? Heck no. ~~But
nothing truly excellent is effortless, right?
In our difficult
relationships and circumstances this week, let’s choose to live for Jesus, who
is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His
power that is at work within us.
Much love,
~Shaun and Betsy
