August 25, 2015
Great Peace
Psalm 119:165
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
Why are the 10 Commandments so offensive? Why is Jesus’ life considered an impossible standard? Lots of people readily commit to an exercise program, diet, or exhaustive work hours on the job willingly, diligently, and faithfully. Why not use that kind of energy and enthusiasm for living a life of obedience to God and following Jesus?
I know runners who get up and run at 4am every single morning even when they wake up and don’t feel like it, even when it’s raining, even when it’s a holiday. People who have decided to be runners never not run. That makes me want to be a Runner for Jesus! I want to wake up every day and have forgiveness, love, grace, submission, and self-control for whenever it is required of me – whether I feel like it or not, whether conditions are favorable, and not take a day off from my commitment either.
Look at the benefits: Great peace. Not stumbling. These benefits are more desirable than rock hard abs from a life committed to diet and exercise or more money in the bank from a life committed to long hours at the office. So, why shouldn’t I make obedience and imitating Jesus my goal? Why shouldn’t I love God’s instructions and carry them out? The peace and direction HE gives is definitely worth it.
Side Note:
Today is my parents’ 52nd Wedding Anniversary! I’ve said this before, but I’m saying it again – I am SO thankful that these beautiful Christians raised us to be Believers from day one. I don’t know any different way to live, and I am so glad. Reaping the benefits of people who love God’s instructions and taught their children to do the same has indeed resulted in great peace. I’m not saying my family has always been perfect, but I am saying my family has always been blessed. There are so many tragedies I have never had to experience or endure compared to Christians I know who didn’t become Believers until later in life. And it’s because I got a good head start on practicing forgiveness, trusting in the Lord, and having grace for others thanks to Tom and Emily Barton. I love you guys!
Dear God,
Thank you for your appropriate Word for me today! I do love your Ways and I do want to be like your Son! Thank you for making a seemingly impossible standard possible and pleasant. Thank you that I get to choose how to spend my time and energy, and I choose YOU! Thank you for faithful parents who showed us your love. I am so thankful that I have never lived without it. Thank you that my own household enjoys the same benefits as Rob and I have made you the priority in our home where we too enjoy great peace. And Lord, thank you for my parents’ many years together, for their good health, and for their amazing friendship and support. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Great Peace
Psalm 119:165
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
Why are the 10 Commandments so offensive? Why is Jesus’ life considered an impossible standard? Lots of people readily commit to an exercise program, diet, or exhaustive work hours on the job willingly, diligently, and faithfully. Why not use that kind of energy and enthusiasm for living a life of obedience to God and following Jesus?
I know runners who get up and run at 4am every single morning even when they wake up and don’t feel like it, even when it’s raining, even when it’s a holiday. People who have decided to be runners never not run. That makes me want to be a Runner for Jesus! I want to wake up every day and have forgiveness, love, grace, submission, and self-control for whenever it is required of me – whether I feel like it or not, whether conditions are favorable, and not take a day off from my commitment either.
Look at the benefits: Great peace. Not stumbling. These benefits are more desirable than rock hard abs from a life committed to diet and exercise or more money in the bank from a life committed to long hours at the office. So, why shouldn’t I make obedience and imitating Jesus my goal? Why shouldn’t I love God’s instructions and carry them out? The peace and direction HE gives is definitely worth it.
Side Note:
Today is my parents’ 52nd Wedding Anniversary! I’ve said this before, but I’m saying it again – I am SO thankful that these beautiful Christians raised us to be Believers from day one. I don’t know any different way to live, and I am so glad. Reaping the benefits of people who love God’s instructions and taught their children to do the same has indeed resulted in great peace. I’m not saying my family has always been perfect, but I am saying my family has always been blessed. There are so many tragedies I have never had to experience or endure compared to Christians I know who didn’t become Believers until later in life. And it’s because I got a good head start on practicing forgiveness, trusting in the Lord, and having grace for others thanks to Tom and Emily Barton. I love you guys!
Dear God,
Thank you for your appropriate Word for me today! I do love your Ways and I do want to be like your Son! Thank you for making a seemingly impossible standard possible and pleasant. Thank you that I get to choose how to spend my time and energy, and I choose YOU! Thank you for faithful parents who showed us your love. I am so thankful that I have never lived without it. Thank you that my own household enjoys the same benefits as Rob and I have made you the priority in our home where we too enjoy great peace. And Lord, thank you for my parents’ many years together, for their good health, and for their amazing friendship and support. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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