International Prayer Initiative

PEACE IN ACCEPTANCE...
Read: John 14:27

Christian author Brennan Manning, borrowing a bit from well-known Christian missionary Amy Carmichael, said, "Peace lies in ACCEPTANCE of truth" (from his book Abba's Child).

Acceptance is a form of surrender. It is not apathy or resignation. It is AGREEMENT WITH TRUTH. The truth that sometimes life is hard & things don't always go my way.

You might be thinking, "Where's the peace in that?" The peace comes in knowing we have a God who SHAPES within us a peace that is NOT of this world.

Remember what Jesus said in John 14:27, "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" (NLT).

Let's choose to walk in his peace today and in agreement with truth. Amen.

IN THE GRAVE HE LAY...
Read: Luke 23;50-54

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

(Christ Arose, by Robert Lowry)

"Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin." (Luke 23:50-54)

I often wonder how Jesus' precious friends and followers (the ones he knew during his lifetime) felt as they saw/heard of his death (especially the ones who stayed with him & experienced it). The gospels tell us, Joseph laid his body in the tomb, performing this final loving act in service to Christ. Matthew's gospel tells us Joseph had the stone sealing the tomb rolled into position (the two Mary's were watching opposite the tomb). It all had to seem so very final.

BUT THAT WASN'T THE END...

UNASSAILABLE STRONGHOLD...
Read: Psalm 46:7

So many people feel unsafe in this world (I'm often one of them). The sheer weight of life here can leave you feeling all too vulnerable. Security and safety are absolute soul necessities if we are to function in health and be at our best.

Scripture points the way. Psalm 46:7 (and verse 11 repeats the same) says, "The LORD Almighty is WITH us; the God of Jacob is our FORTRESS. This verse makes me think of the soaring cliffs along the shores of Ireland. Miles and miles of Ireland's coast is buttressed with unassailable cliffs.

The psalmist describes God in much the same way. He says God is a soaring, secure, unassailable spiritual stronghold for those who run to Him in absolute trust.

Yet, He is NOT JUST a safe place to run when life gets hard. The psalmist also reminds us that our God is WITH us (He is close beside us & draws ever nearer to us in our places of need).

LORD, may we find refuge for our souls in the unassailable security of your tender embrace. May we beat a path into your presence as we grow to trust you more and more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

GRACE BORN STRENGTH...
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1

"As for you, my son (Paul was writing to Timothy), be STRONG through the grace that is ours in UNION with Christ Jesus." (Good News Translation)

Charles Spurgeon, in his devotional classic, Morning & Evening, wrote, "The influences of grace are the inheritance of every saint united to the Lamb..." God makes the full-measure of his grace available to us in Christ (see-John 1:16).

What was Paul instructing his apprentice, Timothy, to do? He was encouraging Timothy to build his life (and his ministry too) on the strength God provides by means of his grace. This strength is God's power at work within a believer's heart making them ABLE (by faith) to live into their godly purpose.

This grace-born-strength is only available to the seeking heart in pursuit of deep union with Christ. Paul was encouraging Timothy to unite himself with Christ by communing with him personally. Paul knew Timothy would be empowered with all the strength he would need by feasting at the table of God's undeserved favor and kindness (made available to him in Christ).

LORD, may we be continually strengthened and empowered by the grace that can only be found in Your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Fill these empty pitchers and quench these thirsty lips with the full measure of Your grace and goodness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.