Sunday writing... 5-26-19... "PEACE"

Good morning!

Today's writing is about "PEACE" on this Memorial Day weekend.  In this devotional we focus on different types of peace.  Read on to find out how to find ultimate peace.

Blessings and peace to you,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"PEACE"

by

Jan Andersen

There is a great craving for peace in this world on many levels.  Some yearn for peace and tranquility within their hearts.  They may be troubled by their past, plagued by current situations, or tormented by fear of future possibilities.  Others wish for peace and harmony in their families.  Their relationships may be strained, or may have a history of abusive treatment that continues to play out.  Separation of contact with certain members of the family might even have occurred.  Many people also hunger for peace in their land, an end to war in their countries.  There continue to be battles with maiming and bloodshed around the world.

Unfortunately, in our broken world, there are other people who want to disrupt peace.  Satan often works his evil through human beings, many unknowingly but some consciously and maliciously.  When it comes to wars, both sides generally feel they have good reasons to fight the other.  In the U.S. this is Memorial Day weekend.  We are honoring those brave men and women who gave their lives in our armed services to protect our country.  We often forget the sacrifices they and their families have made for us to live in peace with our freedoms protected. 

At times it seems unfair at the very least when people have given their lives for others who appear unaware and unappreciative of their sacrifice.  Many people just see this as a three-day weekend to enjoy some fun in the sun, a cookout, or shopping the countless sales in stores.  If you stopped people walking along the streets and asked them what Memorial Day is about, how many would be able to tell you the basics, let alone how it started as Decoration Day?  That was the practice of decorating soldier’s graves with flowers said to have begun before and during the American Civil War.  Women decorated the graves of soldiers from the opposing side as well as those of their own soldiers.  I dare say these women wanted peace so that no mother would have to say goodbye to their child in this way again.

There is another person we know that gave up his life for all people, for their freedom from the bondage of sin and eternal death.  Jesus’ sacrifice is even more astounding than any soldier’s, because He was without sin yet paid the price for the whole world's sins on the cross.  That includes all people ever born or yet to be born.  It includes his allies as well as his enemies, those who believe as well as those who refuse to believe.  His sacrifice far surpasses any other, and brings us a peace that passes all understanding, knowing we freely receive forgiveness and everlasting life - God's perfect peace.  

After Jesus’ death on the cross, he arose from the dead and walked the earth and continued teaching his disciples before He ascended into heaven to be with the Father.  While He was with them, He explained that He would be leaving them and going back to the Father, and they would have peace in Him because He overcame this troubled world.  We are promised that as peace as well.

John 16:32-33 NIV  “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for the tremendous sacrifice of your Son, Jesus, on the cross in our place.  We pray for all those in this world who are troubled, tormented or terrified.  Please bring your peace to the hearts of your people on earth.  Help us to share the peace that only You can bring with others in our lives.  We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus.  Amen.    

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Song:

"PEACE IN CHRIST"

5-YEAR-OLD CLAIRE RYANN CROSBY AND DAD 

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog Writers

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett, 

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  

Bre Miller, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard

Amie Spruiell, Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa