Peace.
The image of peace has become a new phenomenon, I've noticed. Peace signs are etched on shirts and hoodies, there are peace bracelets, peace folders and pens and pencils. If people actually wrote peace on their hearts, I feel that the world would be a little closer to what God wants, for us to focus on Him instead of sin.
Think about it, when God created the world, He created it perfectly, so Adam and Eve could live with no needs, and wouldn't be distracted from Him. He provided them with all they needed because He cared about them SO much. They were His creation, and His most treasured* creation, at that.
But when Adam and Eve sinned, their guilt separated them from the peace and stability of God. They literally hid from Him, and felt shame, for the first time in history.
That wasn't God's plan for us. He doesn't want us to sin, but unfortunately, we do anyway.
But years later, God sent His one and only Son to die for us, for the forgiveness of our sins. God calls us to a life of peace, with ourselves, and with others. He wants our sole purpose to be glorifying Him, and we can't do that if we're chained down by shame and guilt.
All He asks is that we repent, or turn away, for our sins and we are forgiven. If you have the love of Jesus in your heart, you're free. You have peace. God wants us to be able to focus on Him.
Let's all try that today-- try to forget whatever weighs us down, whatever we're guilty about, whatever makes us cringe. I assure you that you're forgiven and you can have the peace that everyone is talking about, the peace that is only available through Christ.
Dear God,
Often we get so caught up in sin and shame that we forget You. We forget Your promise and Your forgiveness, and Your purpose in the world. Help us throw away what is behind us, and live in the moment, listening to Your spirit, and living the way You want for us.
It's in Your strong, forgiving Name that we pray,
Amen.
The image of peace has become a new phenomenon, I've noticed. Peace signs are etched on shirts and hoodies, there are peace bracelets, peace folders and pens and pencils. If people actually wrote peace on their hearts, I feel that the world would be a little closer to what God wants, for us to focus on Him instead of sin.
Think about it, when God created the world, He created it perfectly, so Adam and Eve could live with no needs, and wouldn't be distracted from Him. He provided them with all they needed because He cared about them SO much. They were His creation, and His most treasured* creation, at that.
But when Adam and Eve sinned, their guilt separated them from the peace and stability of God. They literally hid from Him, and felt shame, for the first time in history.
That wasn't God's plan for us. He doesn't want us to sin, but unfortunately, we do anyway.
But years later, God sent His one and only Son to die for us, for the forgiveness of our sins. God calls us to a life of peace, with ourselves, and with others. He wants our sole purpose to be glorifying Him, and we can't do that if we're chained down by shame and guilt.
All He asks is that we repent, or turn away, for our sins and we are forgiven. If you have the love of Jesus in your heart, you're free. You have peace. God wants us to be able to focus on Him.
Let's all try that today-- try to forget whatever weighs us down, whatever we're guilty about, whatever makes us cringe. I assure you that you're forgiven and you can have the peace that everyone is talking about, the peace that is only available through Christ.
Dear God,
Often we get so caught up in sin and shame that we forget You. We forget Your promise and Your forgiveness, and Your purpose in the world. Help us throw away what is behind us, and live in the moment, listening to Your spirit, and living the way You want for us.
It's in Your strong, forgiving Name that we pray,
Amen.
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