Daily Devotional for July 28, 2013

Luke 2:14
“Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”
Jude 1:24-25
Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
 
What are you truly thankful for?  If someone were to ask you this question, how would you answer?  Would you list your family, friends, food, clothing, and shelter…your salvation through Jesus Christ, a good job, health, a nice car to drive or good looks?  My mother often speaks of how thankful she is to turn on the tap and get hot water… something that is virtually unheard of in many corners of the world.  Are you thankful for technology… your laptop and/or smart phone…medical breakthroughs that have revolutionized health care?  Do you stop to consider your freedom… clean air… and public safety?  Do you voice appreciation for these things – to God and to others?
 
At the end of the day, each of these brings us one gift… peace. And the direct provider of this blessing is God Almighty!  Because of God and His incredible gift of Jesus, those of us who have invited Christ to live in our hearts can someday stand before our Heavenly Father and hear Him say… “All your sins have been forgiven.  Your slate is clean… you are safely at home with Me.”  Because of the blessings of God, most of us are where we are today… living in the home we have – with the family and friends we have… enjoying freedom of speech and religion, mobility and safety to go and do as we please, relatively good health, clean air and water, and all of the modern conveniences.  We probably don’t think about it this way… but at the heart of all we enjoy and everything we do, we are seeking peace.
 
Until we acknowledge God and His hand in our lives, we will never truly experience complete peace.  Until we focus on pleasing God and serving Him… until we invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and guide our every breath, we will not know complete peace… GOD’s peace.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve come to the point where THIS is tantamount to me!  What I want more than anything in life is to have God’s complete peace, because I know that unimaginable blessings come along with it.  God’s peace is the “meat and potatoes”… His blessings are the “gravy”… and I want heapin’ helpings of both!
 
What about you?  Are you struggling to find peace in your heart – about anything and everything?  Do you feel a lack… an emptiness or a gnawing sensation that something is missing?  Could it be God’s peace?  Have you thanked God for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon you… and have you asked Him to show you areas of untapped service and obedience to Him that could be blocking complete peace?  Isn’t today a great day to start discovering how you can align yourself more closely with God… and receive His peace in return?
 
What are you waiting for?  Praise God in Heaven… He is worthy, and He will give you peace!
 
©2013 Debbie Robus

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