God’s Friendship – November 5, 2008

God’s Friendship

Job 29:4

Jim Stephens

11-05-08

 

Scripture:

 

In my early years, God’s friendship was felt in my home. (Job 29:4 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

In this short chapter, Job describes his life as he remembers it – before all the trouble came.  He uses the phrase, “God’s friendship was felt in my home” to describe the blessing and harmony of his home life.

 

Application:

 

I want my home to be a place of peace, rest, harmony, and blessing.  It’s my desire that my home be a place where guests feel safe and peaceful.  I want “God’s friendship to be felt in my home.”

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I’m grateful for the peaceful home atmosphere you’ve allowed Jean and me to create.  Guests often comment on how peaceful our home is.  I know it’s because the friendship of God is felt in our home.  Thank you for your gift of friendship and peace.  May I never take it for granted.  Amen.

 

The Peace I Give – August 12, 2008

The Peace I Give

John 14:27

Jim Stephens

08-12-08

 

Scripture:

 

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  (John 14:27 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Life is full of uncertainties.  One benefit of civilization and prosperity is that we can control quite a wide range of those uncertainties to the extent that we don’t think about them or fear them much.  Civilization gives us an orderly way of life, with health care, police protection, reasonably reliable infrastructure.  Prosperity allows us to purchase shelter, easily accessible food, and a wide range of conveniences, comforts, and pleasures.

 

But beneath the veneer of civilization lies the violent criminal behavior of an individual whose gunshots can take a life.  Or the conflict with a neighbor over late night noise or the dog that messes on your lawn.  Beneath the security of a generally mild and predictable climate lies the tornado, flood, drought, or forest wildfire.  Beneath the security of available healthcare lies the diagnosis of incurable cancer or chronic illness.  Beneath the security of a prosperous economy lies the sudden economic downturn, the erosion of inflation, or the unexpected job loss.

 

Application:

 

Jesus offers the gift of peace – peace of mind and heart.  The peace the world gives depends on keeping pain, conflict, and loss at bay.  The peace Jesus gives can be found through simple faith even in the midst of pain, conflict, and loss.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Even though I live daily with an expectation and an appreciation for the peace that the world gives, I thank you for the gift of peace Jesus gives.  I thank you for peace of mind and heart.  Please forgive me for mostly treating your peace like an insurance policy – glad it’s there, but hoping I won’t have to use it and that I can figure out how to use it if things go wrong.  Amen.