One of Christ's predictions of what would mark the end of time was the incessant cry from the world for, ?Peace, Peace!? This has come to be more than we could have ever imagined as the multiple layers of our need for peace are exposed. Our thirst for peace is global in scope, nation to nation seeking peace. It is a thirst for relational peace, person to person seeking peace. It is a thirst for inner peace, the reconciliation of mind and soul peace. It is also a thirst for spiritual peace, man to God and God to man peace, which leads ultimately to a quest for eternal peace, a place of post mortal righteousness.
Though peace has such a scope to it with its many layers, it is easily recognized by all. A young boy once described peace as 'something that makes you feel all smooth inside?. Others like Thomas A. Kempis said "Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." Let's look at a brief statement made by Paul that on the surface looks like a pleasantry but underneath has a complexity of truth. Turn with me to 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18.
I. The Source of Peace Originates in the Character of God Not In Logic.
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Is it easy to hold grudges, rather than forgiving someone? Has someone done something to you or said a harsh word that you've had trouble forgiving? I ran across an article in a magazine where two Mothers had lost their sixteen year old sons to a gunshot. One was minding his business with friends, walking on the street, and a drive by shooting occurred, and he died. The other Mother's son made a mistake by going to a party and got into a fist fight. The other guy pulled out a gun and shot her son to death. I am sure the pain and agony was terrible on those Moms, as well as their anger toward the shooters. But both Moms learned to forgive, through the Word. One of the Mothers said she was praying the Lord's prayer and the word ?forgive? just jumped out at her. She said she knew, at that moment, she had to forgive the killer. The other Mom was sitting in court, when she realized that God said we had to forgive. She bought a Bible and took it to the teenager in prison, hoping it would keep him from ever wanting to use a gun in that way again. He later said she had shown a true Christian attitude, because she could have held a grudge the rest of her life.
I believe holding grudges only hurts us, not the perpetrators. Often, they don't realize that they've done anything to hurt us. And, some could care less. But, if we hold it in, it can cause stress, sickness, and . . .
I believe holding grudges only hurts us, not the perpetrators. Often, they don't realize that they've done anything to hurt us. And, some could care less. But, if we hold it in, it can cause stress, sickness, and . . .
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In the spring of 2003 a young man named Aaron Ralston was hiking alone in the canyons of Utah
When we find ourselves pinned between a rock and a hard place, the choices may not be as dramatic, but sometimes the solution can be life changing. Sometimes the changes can even be liberating.
Jacob and his family are headed home to Caanan and an encounter with Esau.
The reason they are headed home is because Jacob's relationship with his father in law, Laban had taken a turn for the worse.
Through a bit of very curious trickery, Jacob had ended up with the majority of . . .
When we find ourselves pinned between a rock and a hard place, the choices may not be as dramatic, but sometimes the solution can be life changing. Sometimes the changes can even be liberating.
Jacob and his family are headed home to Caanan and an encounter with Esau.
The reason they are headed home is because Jacob's relationship with his father in law, Laban had taken a turn for the worse.
Through a bit of very curious trickery, Jacob had ended up with the majority of . . .
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This time of year makes me a bit jittery. It's that time when people ask, "Do you garden?" I take that question personally. I guess it's a hold-over from my Yukon days, but I always have the feeling the person is really asking, "What are you good for, anyway?" The question always makes me squirm because I'm not good at it. I inherited my mother's black thumb. I'm death to fruits and vegetables.
Not that I haven't tried. For twelve Yukon summers I dutifully planted rows of cabbage and broccoli, peas and lettuce. I even built a greenhouse and kept a fire burning in it at night to keep a few tomato plants alive. Once I replanted three times when late frost hit, only to have it all wilt from an early one in August. With a season of twenty-four hour sunlight, the plants that survived grew furiously. So did the weeds. A neighbour once drove by, honked and called out ? "tendin? the weed bed, are ye?"
I wanted to give up, but at the end of each summer, I harvested what had managed to survive. I was thankful there was a grocery store in town. We . . .
Not that I haven't tried. For twelve Yukon summers I dutifully planted rows of cabbage and broccoli, peas and lettuce. I even built a greenhouse and kept a fire burning in it at night to keep a few tomato plants alive. Once I replanted three times when late frost hit, only to have it all wilt from an early one in August. With a season of twenty-four hour sunlight, the plants that survived grew furiously. So did the weeds. A neighbour once drove by, honked and called out ? "tendin? the weed bed, are ye?"
I wanted to give up, but at the end of each summer, I harvested what had managed to survive. I was thankful there was a grocery store in town. We . . .
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If you put a twist on the age old line, ?Why did the chicken cross the road?? and instead ask, ?Why did the church cross the road?? the answers could look like this:
Mark Twain would have said, 'the news of its crossing has been greatly exaggerated.?
Emily Dickinson would have said, ?Because it could not stop for death.?
Charles Darwin could have said, ?It was the logical next step after coming down from the tree.?
Captain James T. Kirk of Star trek would have said, 'to boldly go where none has gone before.?
Aristotle would have said, 'to actualize its potential.?
The Ethiopian Eunuch from Acts 8 would have said, . . .
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The Spur Article Count: 92
Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada. Her devotional book The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others. To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Written By Richard Gunther.
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
Harris Dvores is a corporate lawyer in Orlando, Florida. But only from 9 to 5. For more than 20 years, he has pursued his passion to create: everything from Christian music and church skits, to Star Trek scripts and board games. His new website, www.harrisdvores.com, is a playground for the mind and spirit. A Jewish believer, Harris has been given truly amazing stories to share about the power of God.
Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count: 49
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count: 2
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis is the interim pastor at Somerset Bible Chapel, Manitoba, Canada.
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
Diane Davis, a former policewoman in Toronto, recently retired from a lengthy career as a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police. Amongst many things, she is now turning her attention to writing, music, and her 5 grandchildren. She is also Pastor Tim's mom.
Melva's Devotions Article Count: 48
Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.
Barb's Mantle Article Count: 59
Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site. Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra Boyte Article Count: 10
Writing poetry that brings glory to God is Sandra's passion. No matter where she has lived, or what she has gone through, she has found that God is always there before her to lead her in His paths and to catch her when she falls. Married, with two sons two granddaughters on the way, Sandra's future goals include writing more poetry trying her hand at writing short devotionals for children.
Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count: 98
Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Peggie's Den Article Count: 77
"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"
Misc Article Count: 77
Miscellaneous archived items.