Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God; You are One and You are with me. I welcome You here within me and every moment of my day.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.... Rise, let us be on our way" (John 14:27-31).
Jesus, every morning I can rise and be on my way with secure in You because Your peace is within me. As You promised to Your first disciples, You continue to promise every disciple, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
The first world the disciples lived in was under Roman control was a world full of vices and violence, foreboding and fear, chaos and confusion, injustice and inhumanity, and troubles and tribulations. Sound familiar? Sound like today’s world? However, Jesus invited them andHe invites you and me to find my peace in You. You remind me You are the "Prince of Peace" -- my "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). You encourage me to overcome by embracing the One who has already overcome (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).
The mornings I “Rise, and lets us be on our way.” The mornings I begin my day in word and prayer centered in your peace, there's a shifting that takes place inside me. It’s a shifting that cannot be shaken by any shifting in the world around me that I am about to go out and enter into. It's a shifting of perspective that gives me peace in the confidence and assurance of Your Presence. You're with me through it all (Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 23:4). You never leave me, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). You're with me "always" (Matthew 28:20).
And at the end of my day when it's all been said and done, when I see with my eyes what I've known in my heart, that You've been with me to the end, I will look and see that none of the things of this world that tried to overwhelm me and overcome me to steal my peace had the last word or defined my life. You did. You always have and You always will. And Your Word over me is always good (Jeremiah 29:11). You are the Living Word of God, who is always with me (John 1:14). And that's what gives me "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard (our) hearts and (our) minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, be bore you “Rise, and lets be on our way” this morning. I pray you will know the peace that surpasses all understanding through every trouble and tribulation you ever endure, safe and secure, encouraged and overcoming in the One who is your Prince of Peace, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you my friends!
Let us join together today and pray for peace in the war in Ukraine. Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who are rising this morning and walking out into the horrors of war. Pray that Russia will end it’s campaign of aggression.
Help Us Help Them!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support as I try to compassionately reach out to those those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758. You can mail your donation to One Direction Community P.O. Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758
One of my passions is helping churches or small groups understand and embrace their call to be disciples of Jesus in their community. I offer and lead discipleship trainings in person and on-line. If you are interested I would love to talk to you bout it. Email me at garyl@onedirection.community.
Would you like to receive my morning devotion blog?
Email your name and email address to garyl@onedirection.community and I will add you to my ODC Daily Message distribution list to receive an email of these reflection every weekday morning.
