Sound Mind Set

Today we close out our theme of love for this month, as well as this week as we have been talking about intimacy. We've looked at a level of closeness that God can provide that should affect every relationship we have in life—from our families to the groups of people we associate with. God allowing us to be His temple changes everything as to how we approach all of life and every relationship.In John 17, as Jesus was in the garden knowing the cross was only hours away and all the brutality of sin was about to be placed on Him, He didn't pray for Himself, but for intimacy and unity among the people who would believe in Him—those who were with Him on that day, those throughout the centuries, all the way to us today.Imagine Jesus in the Garden alone in the dark, knowing the soldiers were on their own to take Him to the cross. Hear Him crying out to God through the filter of that reality and listen for how He prays for you …“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! “O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” (John 17:20-26 NLT)Did you catch the same language as Paul later used as to where God will be?Did you hear His prayer for you?Did you hear His cry for intimacy between you and the Father?Listen once more … this time I'll abbreviate and focus on Jesus' prayer for you and I today …“I am praying … for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. … “O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” (John 17:20-23, 25 NLT)How should you respond to the Bible passages we have read this week? What did you hear that encouraged you? Challenged you? Convicted you? Intimacy is such an important concept to understand, grasp, an grow in, especially as Christ-followers, because we have no barriers to be able to love as He loves.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, help me in all my relationships to be a reflection of intimacy with You. I am Your temple and I want the world to see Your life and Your heart through my life and heart. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we have been talking about intimacy and how important it is to experience this dynamic with God, in relationships, and inside a community. Today, we will look at a different type of intimacy, in fact, the deepest intimacy possible.In Paul's teaching to the church at Corinth, he tied an Old Testament reality to the new reality Jesus provided. The temple was once a physical structure where only designated priests could enter. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, along with the presence of the Holy Spirit, allows His to be brought into our own hearts through faith in Christ.Listen to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 …Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NLT)Do you see it? As followers of Christ, we literally become His temple. This brings an incredible new type of intimacy and closeness … God with us and God in us. We, of course, do not become God, but He now lives inside our lives.Let's read this passage again in The Message Bible.Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.As I have asked you a number of times on other days in Sound Mind Set, was there any line or phrase that stood you to you? What was it? … Why do you think it stood out to you? What might God be saying by highlighting that for you?For the believer, the crucial focus here is that our bodies no longer belong to us. The temple of God is no longer a building or a place only priests can visit. Christ's death and resurrection, along with the introduction of the Holy Spirit, makes us His temple. Shouldn't that bring an entirely new focus and meaning to our lives? What we choose to do and not do with His temple? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, seeing myself as Your temple is a tough concept to grasp. But I didn't say that about me, You did. So help me to believe it, accept it as truth, and live it out. I need to simply believe what You tell me, about me. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are talking about the importance of intimacy. The past two days we have defined intimacy as when people get really close, and also when we choose to be close to God. We also defined intimacy as in-to-me-see—allowing someone to see your heart and grow in love.Another type of intimacy the Bible talks about is among a group of people, a community. Just like intimacy has its own meaning inside the word, so does community … common unity … community. A group of people can get very close to one another. Oftentimes, this may revolve around some issue, something positive or negative, that the group has in common. Yet, most of the time, as the closeness grows, the focus of the relationships no longer are about the original thing that drew them together. Now, the community is simply unified in their hearts.Listen to Acts 2:42-47 …All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (NLT)What was this group's common thread? A relationship with Christ.What did this create among them? They all acted like Jesus, individually and as a community.What happened as a result of the community's unity? More people wanted to be a part.Listen once again to The Message Bible's version …Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.Have you experienced this kind of unity among a community?Maybe you are experiencing this right now?Or maybe you desperately need this in your life?If you have it, thank God and pray for your friends in the community. If you don't, ask God to help you find your community … people in love with Jesus who understand intimacy with Him and others.In our prayer time today, as I just stated, if you have a community, take a moment to lift them up. If you don't, ask God now to show you where and how to find yours. … As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are talking about the importance of intimacy. Intimacy is the word to describe when people get really close, and also when we choose to get close to God. Yesterday, we read that He has made the first move through Jesus and wants to be as close to us as we will allow.Let me remind you of how we defined intimacy yesterday: In-to-me-see. That means allowing someone to see your heart and who you truly are.For most of us, one of the big things that brings us to our knees and helps us choose to reach out to God is when our hearts are broken. When life is going incredible and we're on top of the world, we can fail to see our need for God. But when everything falls apart and goes wrong, we realize we need help, that we cannot do life alone. Especially when people fail us and hurt us, we tend to look up, not out.Listen to today's passage …The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. (Psalm 34:17-19 NLT)How does God hear us? When we call for help.When is He close to us? When we are brokenhearted.Will He keep us from having troubles? No, but He promises to be there when we do.Listen to this same passage in The Message Bible …Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.Have you already discovered this to be true in your relationship with God? Or do you need to test it out for the first time?There aren't a lot of guarantees in this life, but I can say this: God will never let you down. There will be trouble and your heart will be broken, but He will be there when you reach out.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You know what to do with my broken heart. Thank You that You will provide help to me when I need it most. When trouble comes, help me to come to You right away and never wait to try and solve my problems on my own. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are going to talk about the importance of intimacy. Intimacy is the word to describe when people get really close, like a dad to a daughter, a mother to her son, a husband to a wife, or God to us.The best way to remember what intimacy means is to just say the word by its syllables. In-to-me-see. Intimacy is allowing someone to see your heart, who you truly are. No hiding. Being honest.Love, especially God's love, allows us to get close to people and then grow in that closeness. We often call this a “two-way street” as in this kind of closeness takes each one to work on the relationship and get closer. When this happens in a healthy manner, love grows, closeness comes, and intimacy deepens. Let's look at one short, simple verse that talks about intimacy with God and makes a powerful promise.Come close to God, and God will come close to you. (James 4:8 NLT)When we first read this verse, we can misunderstand the meaning, as if God is saying, “You make the first move and then I'll respond to you.” But we have to remember this verse was written after Jesus had died on the cross and was resurrected. God has already made the first move toward us through Christ. Now, He is saying when you reach out to me, because of Jesus, we can immediately be close, just like Jesus was close with the Father.With that thought in mind, let's read this verse one more time.Come close to God, and God will come close to you. (James 4:8 NLT)Let's paraphrase the verse this way, “Whenever you choose to be close to God, He is already there, waiting, ready to receive you.” That is real intimacy, when someone is always there for you, no matter what.Here's a question to think about …How do you think you can know God is close to you?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You promise You will be close to me, that You will say, “in-to-me-see”. Help me to trust You and always respond with, ‘God, in-to-me-see.' As above, so below.”

Today we close out this week on teaching our kids what love is. I know some of the teachings we have looked at from Jesus this week are some of the toughest ones, but isn't it fascinating that the overall theme of those is still love? Why? Because loving like God loves, in this world, is never going to be easy. That's why we made a conscious choice to look at the truth about love from the Christian worldview, not the religious worldview or the world's. So, in light of this, today, we're going to close out the week on a lighter note from a story about Jesus and how He feels about kids…One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left. (Matthew 19:13-14 NLT)Can you picture this scene? Well-meaning parents wanting this Teacher and Healer to pray for their kids. Imagine them running up to Jesus, ready to jump in His lap. But the disciples suddenly decide to become a security team and block them from bothering Him. But the kids don't get rebuked, the disciples do. Then what He says surprises everyone: “Don't stop them. In fact, you need to act like this with Me.” And the prayer and the blessing happened, just as the parents had hoped.Here's the passage in the New Life Bible …Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray for them. The followers spoke sharp words to them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me. Do not stop them. The holy nation of heaven is made up of ones like these.” He put His hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-14 NLV)The holy nation of heaven is made up of people who are childlike in their love. Wow.Do you love your kids? Of course you do. So take them to Jesus. Do you want them to understand love, real love? Of course you do. So take them to Jesus. Do you want them to be able to know authentic, sincere, vulnerable, unconditional love, to be able to receive and to give? Take them to Jesus. Pray for them. Talk to them about Him. Read His words to them. Make Him a part of their lives and He will show them His love. Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, sometimes I forget that You made my kids. You gave me my kids. So no one loves them more than You. Teach me to teach them Your love and help me to love them like You do. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are focusing on teaching our kids what love is. Let's be honest … when people talk about God's love, too often it's kind of a unicorns and rainbows thing. It sounds religious or like a fantasy and so we really don't attempt to accept it for ourselves or apply it to others. Well, this week, we are trying to look at what God's love really means, for the sake of our kids. If anyone is going to help them understand the reality and the balance of His love, it needs to be us.I know yesterday's passage from Jesus' teaching was a tough one. Today is going to be no different. In fact, today's focus can sound downright questionable. Curious? Okay, listen really closely and then we'll dig in a little deeper.“Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!' “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.What do we do with these words? How do these concepts connect to God's love?Passages like this one are where our English translation from the Greek can easily get confusing. Here's the bottom line: People preach coming together across the aisles and meeting in the middle but how often do we actually see that happen? Jesus tells us that He is the ultimate dividing line for humans. Not politics or race or gender or the things we draw lines against all the time. The real line is do we believe in Him or not? Are we committed to Him or not? Do we love Him more than anyone or anything else in life?Think of it this way … What if your love for God was so strong that compared to all the other loves in your life, no one would question your commitment to Him? That's what He means.If your love for God keeps growing every day, will that cause you to love your kids less? Of course not. But the hard stuff like loving your enemies will get easier. If you love God like Jesus was talking about here, His love will mark your life, His love will mark your relationships, and His love will forever mark your kids' lives.What dividing lines do you lay down as gospel in your life? Who do you put on one side while you stand on the other? Who do you teach your kids are different than them? Whenever you hear passages like this, just remember—But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me. … And so will your kids.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want people who stand against You, even well-meaning people, to know You. I want them to see You in my life. Help me to love You so it is clear to everyone that You are the love of my life. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are focusing on teaching our kids what love is. One of the things we love about God's love is hearing how much He loves us, will forgive us, and show us incredible mercy and grace, no matter what we do. But then the very tough thing about God's love is, as sinners, we struggle when He tells us to love others that we do not want to love. Teaching our kids that kind of unconditional love will be one of the hardest things we ever do—to encourage them to follow God in loving someone with His love and grace that we do not want to love and don't think we even can love.Much of Jesus' teaching was counter-cultural then, and it certainly is today. The religious leaders of His day wanted to separate people into two categories: acceptable and unacceptable. And those men would make that determination without God. In fact, Jesus' teaching against their standards ended up getting Him on their unacceptable list. Listen closely to this passage as I read. No matter how many times you may have heard it, try and listen with fresh ears about how God wants us to love …“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. (Luke 6:27-36 NLT)Love your enemies? … That's a cute catchphrase until you actually feel like someone is your enemy and is working to make your life miserable. Loving that person feels impossible. Do good to those who hate you? Bless those who curse you? Really, Jesus? But what is so great about Jesus' teaching here is He told us why He wants us to do that.In short, Jesus said… “if people who have no God, who don't believe in God, who care nothing about Me, can be kind to those who are kind to them and love those who love them, then you don't need Me to do that, do you? But now, loving your enemies? Doing good to those who hate you? You are most definitely going to need Me to help you do that. Why? Because by yourself, you can't!”Now, to be clear, turning the other cheek does not have anything to do with abuse or letting someone run all over you. Remember—Jesus was the guy who got angry and cleared people out of the temple with a whip. But to love like God and to teach your kids to love like He does, that's going to take Jesus giving you the power and ability every time.Let's say it this way, if we're going to call ourselves His kids, we need to act like He's our Dad.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, this loving my enemies thing is so hard. Doing good to someone I deem as bad, blessing people I can't stand, that feels impossible. But you are the God that makes the impossible possible. Help me, Jesus, to love like You and to teach my kids these really hard things about how to love like You. Because me and my kids are Your children. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are focusing on teaching our kids what love is. God has assigned us the role of teaching them about love, to lead and be their example, to help them see by words and actions that authenticity is the only way to understand love, especially His love. Real love and intimacy require vulnerability and sincerity. And God's Word is the original love letter from His heart to ours.Today, we're going to look at the first event in Jesus' life that launched His ministry and started His road to the cross: His baptism. Now, you might ask … what does Jesus's baptism have to do with love? Well, it's really about what happened at Jesus's baptism … listen as I read . …The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.” (Matthew 3:16-17 MSG)Did you hear the words of love and affirmation God spoken over Jesus? Imagine for a moment what John witnessed? The Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—all present at this historic event. Now, listen once again, and afterwards, I'll tell you how you and I are connected to this moment.Whenever we choose to enter into a relationship with Jesus, the reconnection of our spirits to His is completed. Please know then, that He will, for the rest of your life, look at you and say, “This is my son, this is my daughter, chosen and marked by my love, the delight of my life.”I'm betting that is exactly the way you look at your child. But you need to know this is how God sees you. And if you can accept and receive that is the way your Heavenly Father sees you, you will then be able to pass that truth on to your kids. If you believe it, they will more likely come to believe it as well.Repeat this truth out loud right now … I am chosen … I am marked … by my Father's love ... and I am the delight of His life. … Say it to Him … You have chosen me … You have marked me … by Your love … and I am the delight of Your life.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You chose me, thank You that my life is marked by Your love. Thank You that I am the delight of Your life. Help me to show my kids that You and I, together, feel that way about them. As above, so below.”

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we are focusing on teaching our kids what love is. We have to lead and be their example, to help them see by words and actions that authenticity is the only way to understand love, especially the brand of love God gives us, not what the world throws at us every day. Real love and intimacy require vulnerability and sincerity. For all these reasons, God's Word is the original love letter from His heart to ours. So with that in mind, let's get started:Regardless of your church or spiritual background you likely know some or all of John 3:16. But sometimes when a verse becomes almost cliché, we can miss its meaning. We no longer consider the deep truth behind the words. For that very reason, I want to read verse 16 and 17 today from The Message Bible. But before I read, I want to challenge you to do something that might be tough, especially if you have any sort of issue with God, and what you feel He has allowed to happen in your life … I want you to hear this passage as if it was the first and only thing you have ever heard about God and His love. … Listen closely to every word …“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; (John 3:16-17 MSG)Hearing this truth with fresh and unbiased ears, what did you hear? Love? Sacrifice? A whole life? No accusations but setting the world right again? And the closing word? … Trust in Him equals acquittal. … Wow.There is no question that the enemy of God, along with the events that occur in a broken and fallen world muddy up and mess up us seeing God as love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.Whatever negative and harmful concepts life has planted in your heart toward God, I want to encourage you to try and erase those lies and replace it with the truth of God's Word.Whatever your concept of God is, that is what you will show your kids. Your attitude and actions will far outweigh anything you say. To teach them the correct view of their heavenly Father, who Jesus called Abba or Daddy, you will have to first view Him as the God we hear about in today's passage. So what needs to happen for you to correct your view of biblical love, not what the world has shown you, but what God wants to give you … and your kids?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, Abba, Daddy, help me to get rid of any wrong ideas or concepts I have that are not right about You. I never want anyone to misunderstand or misrepresent me, so help me to learn how to get You right … in my attitude, actions, and words … and to teach my kids who you really are. As above, so below.”

Today's passage from Romans 12 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12;9-18 NLT)In a divided world - where and how are we called to love?Think about a situation in your life or one that you have observed lately that impacts you in even a small way.Listen to this passage from the Message BibleLove from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. “I'll do the judging,” says God. “I'll take care of it.”What person or situation do you need to apply this part of the passage to?Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. “I'll do the judging,” says God. “I'll take care of it.”  Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, please help me to keep re-defining love as the way You love, not as the world tells me. Help me to be free from barriers and pain and express You to everyone in all my circles. As above, so below.”

The words of Paul from Ephesians 4 …Therefore I … beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.A life surrendered and submitted to God will lead to humility, gentleness, patience, making allowance, making every effort, binding together as one. Addition, multiplication, increase not subtraction or devision.With this in mind listen again to the passage in The Message BibleIn light of all this, here's what I want you to … get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.Wouldn't it be amazing for our kids to see us live lives marked by “humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring ourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences? Living lives that are permeated with Oneness.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want to be someone who adds to people, who multiplies what You give me, that increases in love, grace, and the fruit of Your Spirit. I pray my life be permeated with Oneness. As above, so below.”

Ephesians 2:14-18 NLTFor Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. When you hear the phrase “hostility towards each other” who comes to mind for you? I doubt it's a race of people, but a person. Maybe two? We need to see the Bible's teaching as principles of the heart that apply to all our relationships. In the quietness of this moment, you know that any hostility that has been built in your heart is not good for you. It's not good for your kids. Where do you need God to “break down the wall of hostility that separates you”? Where do you need Him to “end the system of law with its commandments and regulations”? Where do you need Him to bring you peace and put hostility in your heart to a final death? For your sake.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, take any hostility I have, that which I realize and that which I don't, or won't, or can't. I need to let go of barriers in my heart and receive what You have provided for me in love, grace, and protection. As above, so below.”

Matthew 9:9-13 NLTAs Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” The Pharisees called the people Jesus was hanging out with “scum.” Jesus removed the barrier the pharisees had and dismantled the prejudice and in doing that actually established a new boundary. The new boundary was towards prejudice, judgment and even privilege.What drove Jesus' actions and words? Freedom, righteousness, justice, mercy, and love. When we follow Him, we have the best opportunity to do the same. Tear down barriers made by man and install boundaries built by God.Is there anywhere in your life that you have created an unhealthy barrier or outlook between the those you consider righteous and those you consider sinners?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I have to admit that sometimes I act like You, but sometimes I act like a Pharisee. And all the time, I am a sinner. Teach me, help me, to take down barriers to love in my life and build only the boundaries You are okay with. As above, so below.”

(Psalm 16:1-3, 5-8 NIV)Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” … Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:1-3, 5-8 NIV)“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.”King David is counting his blessings and includes the fact that he likes where God has placed the boundaries in his life. Boundaries that both bless and protect him. Part of his spiritual inheritance from God includes proper boundaries.So, that tells us where our boundaries must also come from … not from pain or revenge or walls around our heart … but from God who knows us and has our best interest in mind at all times.Choosing to try and protect ourselves on our own terms usually ends up with an emotional wall that just creates more hurt. But when we allow God to lead us, He can provide a way to create a healthy boundary that blesses and protects, just like David referred to.So, to love in the biblical sense, do you need to tear down a wall and trade it for a boundary? Or maybe there's been nothing in place for you, and you realize a boundary needs to be installed for your health.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I know that walls of protection too often become homemade prison cells. Teach me to create boundaries. Show me how to love the way You love. For myself. For my kids. For those who have hurt me and those who help me. As above, so below.”

You'd be hard-pressed to go to a Christian wedding and not hear some part of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 read, also known as The Love Chapter. But today, let's look at how Paul defined biblical love in verses 4-7 as we think about being proactive in love to battle hate.1 Corinthians 13Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud, or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.I tend to read or hear this passage and think about how I fall short in loving, based on the definition we are given here. Do you feel that way? Why might we hear these words through a negative filter? Because even with those closest to us, and when we work really hard to be good at love, we still have a selfish sin nature.Can you think of a situation that you are aware of your conditional, maybe self-serving love towards another person?So, how can we possibly love anyone like this passage talks about? Listen again to this same passage, but I'm going to change out one word throughout. That will give us the only possible way to love as we are taught here. Listen with your heart …Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Jesus does not demand his own way. He is not irritable, and He keeps no record of being wronged. Jesus does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Jesus never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.Isn't that incredible? Jesus can be interchanged with the word “love” because He is love and the embodiment of God's love. So, the closer we get to Jesus, the closer we get to love. The more we follow Jesus, the more we walk in the ways of love.

Matthew 5:43-48 MSG - Jesus' Words“You're familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. “In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”I ask you what has become a familiar question from me to you in this podcast: What words stood out to you? Say it back to yourself. Then ask why?We don't really like the world-turned-upside-down verses like “Love your enemy,” do we? When someone gives you a hard time, pray for them? Really? These are tough and challenging words, but then it's also the very reason we are drawn to Jesus, right?With this in mind listen again to part of the passage“… I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best … to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. … “In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”Can you think of someone in your life, or maybe even someone you don't know… but you know of, that you strongly dislike or perhaps even hate? Can you pray for them right now? Prayer changes things… more than changing others and circumstances…it changes us.Let's take a few moments and pray for those we don't like but God says He loves. Pray that they would encounter God and His love the way you have.What in Jesus' teaching do you need to “grow up” in, as verse 48 stated? Where have you been rationalizing hate and you have to trade it in for some of God's love? I love the last line … “live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, help me to love my friends more and turn any hatred I have to love and pray like You said. I know you know that's hard but if anyone can help me get to that place, it's You, right? Teach me to live generously and graciously. As above, so below.”

We know from history that humans have gone through constant change. When one part of the world is at peace, another is in chaos. Economies rise and fall. Civilizations rise and fall. Life and death are constantly occurring. But the reality is that any season won't last for long. Things change. Life cycles.King Solomon gave us one of the most prolific and poetic texts for this concept in Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1-8.For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate.A time for war and a time for peace.Ask yourself 2 questions.Where do hear your own life, what time are you in right now?Where did you hear our culture, where might we be right now?Regardless of what time, or season you are in, or our culture is in, one truth remains, the other side of the coin, the other “time” will come back around soon enough.Interestingly, all of these ‘times' I just read are choices we make. Deliberate mindsets, or as the scripture calls it, ‘activities' that we choose. Is there a mindset that you need to reaffirm today? Or maybe readjust?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, You created the seasons and the times of our lives. Help me to know what time you want it to be for me in every season. But help me to constantly make the current season a time to gather, embrace, mend, and love. As above, so below.”

Psalm 97:9You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.(NLT)So what does God hate and tell us to hate? … He says if you love Him then you will hate evil. So is evil a person? … No. Evil is the outcome of disobedience. Disobedience to God is sin, which creates evil. So, we are to hate disobedience to God and its results. Can you picture an outcome of your disobedience to God? While there most certainly is grace for our disobedience, can you attach a sense of hatred for the outcome of that disobedience you have encountered? We are not to hate ourselves for the disobedience, but the forces that oppose God inside our own hearts and in the world today. So, what good does it do to hate that evil? The answer is a response of avoidance, of abstinence … of evil.Today, I'm going to provide some current context to hating evil by reading Ephesians 6:1… Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.Who are we not fighting? Flesh and blood. Each other. We may do evil things out of disobedience, but we are not evil. Evil exists, evil is the destruction that comes from sin. We have an enemy, God has an enemy, Satan and his spirits. A force that exists in this fallen world that leads us to disobedience which leads to our destruction. So, how do we guard ourselves from this destruction? By hating the destruction the enemy wants for us and by putting on the full armor of God. We cannot fight an unseen power with our own ‘seen' efforts. God's Power, His spirit enables us to resist the enemy. Psalm 97:9-11 …You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Love God. Hate Evil. Really feel the hate that disobedience to God's ways brings to your life. Claim God's power as your own to protect again the evil our enemy has planned for us.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, forgive me when I show love for evil by cooperating with it. But help me to hate that which opposes You, even the sin in me. Teach me to love You more, and help me to show love that can conquer hate. As above, so below.”

In John 17, Jesus's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find God's answer to redeem the Garden of Eden.John 17 - Starting vs. 13 - THE MESSAGE“I'm saying these things in the world's hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn't join the world's ways, Just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating myself for their sakes So they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission.I'm praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they'll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me. (John 17:13-23)Jesus recognized the hate in the world that is opposite His heart for the world. But He also said while we do not belong here, He leaves us here. Why? To reflect His love in the same world that hates His ways. That simplifies and hones our mission on earth. We are here to be His love to others, even in the midst of hate.  Jesus was praying specifically for his disciples initially here, who are physically with him, then he looks beyond the present to the future - to you and me. Listen again to what He prays specifically for you - I'm praying not only for them (his disciples) But also for those who will believe in me (that's you) Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they'll be as unified and together as we are… And give the godless world evidence That you've sent me and loved them In the same way you've loved me.Can you ask Jesus right now to unify your heart for the world with His? To be evidence of His love for others - not your love - But becoming His love for others - the world.Who is one person that comes to mind that you need to extend God's love, beyond your love, to today? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, You are love and You also know what it feels like to be hated, to the point of death. You were hated centuries ago and You are hated today. Help me to be an expression of Your love, not mine, and to be an answer for the hate in this world. Teach me to love like You. As above, so below.”

Today, we live in a world that has lost the true biblical concept of grace and forgiveness. We turn on the news to hear another horrible stat and see that evil somehow seemed to win again. Yet, many passages in the New Testament encourage us that, no matter how bad anyone else gets, how bad the culture gets, we must keep steady in our faith and follow God even if that means walking against the grain and walking alone.Listen to 2 Peter 3:17-18:My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.Scripture warns us that we have to stay away from evil to keep our balance and stay on the right path. How? By growing in the wonderful kindness and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.What is one area of your life that you tend to follow the ‘path' of the world? We all struggle with this.What would it look like to apply these principles of 'kindness and understanding' to that situation or area of your life?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, one thing about the world getting worse is that the disparity between good and evil, right and wrong, You and Satan, are quite clear. Help me every day to stay away from evil by staying close to You. With You, in You, I have nothing to fear and everything to gain. As above, so below.”

Deuteronomy 32:46-47:“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are to possess.”In our quote-unquote Christian culture, it is so easy for us to hear Bible verses and treat them like “idle words,” isn't it? But what did God call His laws, His precepts, His principles? … They are your life. Literally, “Words to live by”.With this in mind listen again to the passage, this time from The Message“Take to heart all these words to which I give witness today and urgently command your children to put them into practice, every single word of this Revelation. Yes. This is no small matter for you; it's your life. In keeping this word you'll have a good and long life in this land …think for a moment what having a good and long life in this land means to you. The scripture tells us the living by His word is no small matter, it's literally your life. Is there an area of life right now that you know you are not living according to God‘s laws?Instead of just beating yourself up and heaping more shame and guilt on yourself, can you reframe it and see that God‘s commands and God‘s laws are for your benefit. This is not just trying to control behavior… it's like looking at scripture as an instruction or user guide for our life.Now, how can we pass that critical principle down to our kids?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I know I am the pathway of Your Word and Your life to my kids. Help me find ways to express You to them and make Your Word a part of our everydaylife. For You to be the head of my home. As above, so below.”

Isaiah 55 verses 10 thru 12:“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.It is the same with my word.I send it out, and it always produces fruit.It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.You will live in joy and peace.”Lets think through thisWho sends out God's Word? … He does.What does it do when He sends it out? … Produces fruit.When will it produce fruit when He sends it out? … Always. … Not sometimes, but always.So, how do we receive His Word? Reading, listening to, ruminating on Scripture. Just as we are doing right now.With this in mind listen again to the passage, this time from The Message“Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth,Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them. So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life.”This passage is not a metaphor. It literally means that when we take in God's Word, it will do a work in our lives. Our part is simply to obey and allow the Word to do the work God intended. That is why you can read a verse a hundred times over many years and get something different out of it almost every time.As we take a few more deep breathes think about this promise to you from the scriptureSo will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed.They'll do the work I sent them to do… So you'll go out in joy, you'll be led into a whole and complete life.”Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I invite Your Spirit to interpret to me what You want to say and do every time I hear any Scripture. Complete Your assignment in me. As above, so below.”

Psalm 1 from the Message BibleHow well God must like you— you don't walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don't stand with the good-for-nothings, you don't take your seat among the know-it-alls.Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust— Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.God charts the road you take.David tells us how much God loves obedience as he contrasts those who follow God versus those who don't. But verse 2 talks about the concept of rumination on God's Word, which is exactly what Sound Mind Set is all about. “Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.” The way we find truth and find balance in this life is by repeating, thinking on, considering, and ruminating on His Word, allowing it to have a 24/7 impact on us.As you have been listening to the passages of the Bible I read each day, do you find yourself thinking on, even repeating back parts of a verse to yourself later in the day or when a difficult circumstance arises? Almost like a song can get stuck in your head that you find yourself singing later? That, my friend, is rumination. And God loves it and can work in your life to bring balance in your heart and your home when that happens.As you think/ruminate about a phrase that stood out to you from the scriptureLet's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want Your Word to go deep into my spirit to speak to me and make a difference. Bring the verses You want me to live by back to my mind as I go through my days and my nights. As above, so below.”If this has been helpful, will you help us in spreading the word by sharing this on your social media. You can do that where you see the three dots below or above the podcast cover on your podcast platform. Share to Facebook and encourage friends to join us each day for a few minutes; to get still and know God more because Scripture promises that He meets us in the stillness.

Today, we look at Proverbs 8, a prophetic chapter where the word “Wisdom” correlates to Christ. The “me” here is Jesus. Verses 32 thru 35:“And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me,watching for me daily at my gates,waiting for me outside my home!For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.”What do these verses tell us to do? There are 5 action items …Follow His ways.Listen to His instruction.Listen to Him.Watch for Him.And the really tough one … Wait for Him.No one could honestly say that following Jesus is easy in today's world. I have found that the world tends to offer us the easy way in the short-term, which rarely makes the long-term good. With the Lord, the short term is often hard, but the long term turns out right … if we listen … if we don't ignore Him … if we watch … if we wait. We will find life and we will find favor from the Lord.… if we listen … if we watch … if we wait.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, so often in my life choosing You over the world or my own way is hard. Please help me to listen for You, to You, to not ignore You, to watch for You, and the hardest one … to wait for You. As above, so below.”

Today, we will read the passage that contains what became known as The Lord's Prayer—Matthew 6:6-13. The words of Jesus.But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.The time we invest in prayer is going to pay dividends as we live our life. The time in private with God is going to be seen in public with others because prayer changes us, changes our thinking, and changes our circumstances. Jesus says that the key to our prayers doesn't lie in repetition to Him but in relationship with Him.With this in mind, listen again to the passage from the Message translation. Jesus says to you, and IThe world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best—as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.Such a great rendering of The Lord's Prayer. Did you notice our closing to all our prayers for Sound Mind Set? … As above, so below. … This is where that comes from. As above, so below is our goal for life.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I use Jesus' words today to close in prayer … Our Father in Heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes. … As above, so below.”

Matthew 5:3-10 is called the Sermon on the Mount—one of Jesus's most well-known teachings.Matthew 5:3-10 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.Again, I want to ask you if any line or phrase or word stood out to you? If so, say it out loud now. … Take a moment to ask God why He had that stand out to you?This time through, I will paraphrase the passage, turning the words into personal language and only reading certain parts for you to hear it differently…“God … realizes your need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven [is yours]. … mourn, [and you] will be comforted. [be] humble, [and you] will inherit the whole earth. … hunger and thirst for justice, [and you] will be satisfied. [be] merciful, [and you] will be shown mercy. [be] pure, [and you] will see God. … work for peace, [and you] will be called the children of God. Do [what is] right, [and] the Kingdom of Heaven is [yours].Which of Jesus' teachings here do you feel like He asking you to focus on right now?You likely know the reason, but if not, ask Him. He wants you to know … and tell you why.For those who follow Christ, the Kingdom of Heaven starts here. The Kingdom of Heaven is yours … right now.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for such incredible teachings and challenges. Thank You for every promise You offer for a balanced and blessed life. I want to experience the Kingdom of Heaven starting here, right now. So I mean it when I say … As above, so below.”

Yesterday we were in Proverbs chapter 2. Today, we turn the page to chapter 3. My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (v. 1-6 NLT)Finding favor with both God and people, as verse 4 states, would be a sign of a fulfilled and balanced life, would it not? Again, God promises He can do these things in our lives when we surrender and submit to Him and His ways. How might personal expressions like loyalty, kindness, faithfulness, and trust help you find better balance with everyone in your life? For these to become genuine in life, we must slow down and focus on others. Exactly the way we win favor and a good reputation.With this in mind listen again to the passage, this time from The MessageGood friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands. They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well. Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.Did you notice twice in that version of the passage, the words “living well” were used? What we all desire. What we all seek. To live well.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, teach me to take the time to listen for You, teach me to hear when You speak, teach me to know the difference in my voice and Yours, others' voices and Yours. I want to learn Your voice just as clearly as my closest friend's. As above, so below.”

Proverbs 2,King Solomon speaks to our personal bandwidth, mental, spiritual, and physical balance.My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (vv. 1-11 NLT)Was there a sentence or phrase or maybe even a certain word that jumped out at you as I read?That is often how God speaks to us through His Word. He will pull out a specific message for you for this moment, for this day. If so, focus on that throughout your day.With this in mind listen to the passage againFrom his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (vv. 1-11 NLT)God promises of Wisdom. Understanding. Insight. Knowledge. Common sense. Integrity. Justice. Protection. All promises from God when we seek Him. This ancient promise is yours. “Wisdom will enter your heart. Knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want Your wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and insight. I submit my schedule, my time and energy to You, to teach me the way to live, how to live, with You and for You. As above, so below.”

In Exodus 18, Moses's father-in-law Jethro watched him do his work one day in serving the people. He saw the stress on both his son-in-law and the people waiting for him. So he shared his wisdom with Moses. Listen Exodus 18When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”… “This is not good!” Moses' father-in-law exclaimed. “You're going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. … select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God. Appoint them as leaders … Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” (vv. 14-23 NLT)Does trying to do everything alone and not bother anyone for help sound familiar to you? Does wearing yourself out hit close to home?With this in mind listen again to these specific parts of this passage with a bit of adaptation directed at you personally“You're going to wear yourself out ... This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. … let some capable, honest … [people] … help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”God has placed people in your life that want to help you. Is it time to identify who they are, ask for their help, and finally agree to let them help because they have been offering?We can't truly achieve balance in life by ourselves. We need the help of others. Just like Jethro changed Moses' life and helped the people too with his advice, your life can be blessed and balanced by allowing others into your life.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for examples like this in Scripture that offer real wisdom for life. Help me to identify who can help me. Help me say yes when someone offers when I know it's right. I need Your help to balance family, work, and all of life. As above, so below.”

Luke 12:25-31 - The words of JesusCan all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.Did you catch what Jesus said about thoughts? The details of life …eating, drinking, clothing … are the things non-believers stay focused on … basically, constantly taking care of themselves first.With this in mind listen again what Jesus says about being consumed with self reliance from this passage“Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”When we leave the details of life to God, when we fix our thoughts on Him, when we believe that He will take care of our business, that allows us the time, energy, and focus to consider His business, which is ministering to others in His name. Seeking the Kingdom of God first because everything we need will come from Him.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I already worry takes away from my life. I don't want to think the way I used to anymore. I don't want to waste time on things that don't really matter. Teach me to put You and Your kingdom first and to trust that You will always take care of me. As above, so below.”

Isaiah 26:3-4.You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.Wow … perfect peace. Who doesn't want that? But the promise of perfect of peace only comes how? Placing full trust and fixing our thoughts on God. Another way to communicate this would be to always have a bigger focus on God than any problem.With this in mind listen again to the passageListen to this passage in The Message Bible: People with their minds set on you,  you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet,  because they keep at it and don't quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.To work toward complete wholeness, we must set our minds on God. Depend on Him.What would it look like if next time we have an insurmountable problem… instead of thinking, fixing our eyes on the problem, we fix our eyes on God. Think about Him and His power. How might that change our experience?Listen to our original verse once more: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, I long for peace. I want balance, to be steady. To have my feet on a rock. Help me to fix my thoughts on You, to keep my eyes on You and not the problems and challenges of my life…not to deny them but to defer them to You. Where they belong. As above, so below.”

Psalm 77Listen to verses 1-3 and 10-13. I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. … And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?The psalmist says that just when he feels like God has turned His back on him because of troubles, he remembers everything that God has done. All His mighty works.When you feel like your back is against the wall and begin to wonder where God is, where does your mind take you? What are your thoughts about God?With this in mind listen again to the passageListen to verses 10-13 again: And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?I once read this quote: “What we think about the most is our God.” … Tough but true.How can you “remember God's wonderful deeds”? How can He be constantly in your thoughts? More than your trouble and stresses? More than your fears and doubts?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, when I feel like life is coming apart, help me to think about You and what You have done, not what might happen to me because of bad things from the past or what might come. Help me to remember You first and give the problem to You. As above, so below.”

Psalm 139 is well known, often quoted, and emblazoned on Christian art in many forms. Listen intently to verses 16-18:You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!Do you ever think that God has you on His mind? Because you are His child and He loves you, just as your children are on your mind because you love them? It's true. His Word says so.With this in mind listen again to the passageYou saw me before I was born. … Every day of my life was recorded in your book. … Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. … How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. … They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!The psalmist states that God's thoughts about you are precious…they are good thoughts…they are loving thoughts…and there are so many that they cannot be numbered. We can't even count them.What situation in your life do you feel like God isn't aware of, like He isn't seeing how much it affects you?Can you accept that He sees all, and loves all of you and all that you are about… or are facing?Will we trust Him?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, in our culture we hear “God loves you” more like a greeting card sentiment than a truth. But that's just not fair. You love me. You love me as Your child. Help me to take that truth in deeper. Help me to think like someone You love. As above, so below.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 is a powerful passage. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, exhale, and listen closely.“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”This is not meant to discourage us but rather to provide understanding. God always sees the big picture we cannot. We have to trust that His vantage point allows Him to choose what is best for us. Listening to Him can help us line up with His thinking.Verse 8 in The Living Bible says: “This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours!”The Message Bible gives us this take on the passage: “I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work.”“For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.”Think for a moment about something that is happening in your life right now…what is on your mind the most this week? What might change if you prayed, “Father, show me what You are doing. How are you at work in my life right now? Help me to trust that Your higher ways are at work in my situation right now.”All of our actions and attitudes are driven by our thoughts. What if you chose to “think beyond” what you can see today, handed your situation over to God, and surrendered your thoughts to Him?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You don't think like me or work like me. In fact, if you did, You wouldn't be God. But you are. So help me to trust Your thoughts and Your ways today. As above, so below.”

We talked about Psalm 23 and David calling God the Good Shepherd this week. Today, we look at where Jesus called His followers sheep. This is one of the most intriguing passages of Scripture because the heart of God is made very clear as to what He cares about and what gets His attention.Mathew 25“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'We don't have to complicate things with religion or laws or rules or theology or any of the divisive issues that have hurt the church for thousands of years. We can simply agree that God would have us feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, help the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and help those in prison. The bottom line: see those who the world does not. Take care of those the world will not. Love those the world says are unlovable. Just like Jesus.Who in your life do you find unlovable in this moment?Listen again to Jesus's final words of this passage‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, help me to see those You see, hear those You hear, and help those You point me toward. Keep me from religion and lead me deeper into a relationship with You. As above, so below.”

Today, we will return to Ephesians again.Ephesians 4Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don't sin by letting anger control you.” Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.Paul offered a list of contrasts to balance, usher in new life, and get rid of our old life. The image is much like taking off an old, dirty set of clothes and putting on a brand-new outfit. Listen to his words again in this way …Take off lying and put on truthTake off stealing and put on sharingTake off discouragement and put on encouragementTake off bitterness and put on forgivenessTake off rage and put on kindnessTake off anger and put on compassionWhich of these have never been an issue for you? Which have been a problem in the past? And which may be a struggle today?Some of these are an easy 'change of clothes', while some may be tougher.Listen to the opening of this passage to be reminded of how we are to accomplish these more challenging changes.Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, Thank You for all the things You have helped me to change, to take off. Thank You for the new that You have allowed me to experience. Help me to keep transforming, changing into Your image. As above, so below.”

Today, our Scripture focus will be on two of Paul's prayers found in the book of Ephesians. First, listen to Ephesians 1.I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.Spiritual growth brings wisdom, insight, knowledge, hope, understanding, all from the same power that raised Christ from the dead.Which of those qualities do you feel you are growing in? Which do you want God to increase in you?Now, listen to Paul's prayer in chapter 3 I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.Because you are in the family of God, these prayers are also for you.Specifically, what do these words from this passage mean to you personally - From his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.Unlimited resources - absorb that fact.He will empower you with inner strength - can you claim that today?Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone offer me every good thing I need in this life. Help me to know how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. I want to experience Your love and the fullness You offer me. As above, so below.”

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known chapters in the Bible. We hear these words read in so many settings. But in this beautiful poetry by the shepherd-turned-king David, he speaks of God the Father as his Shepherd and relates life to what he offers his own flock.Listen with your heart, and hear about the life that God offers you, just as he did David …The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (NLT)A significant part of finding balance in our spiritual lives is found in the first verse: “The Lord is my Shepherd. I have all that I need.” When we can arrive at the place where He is truly all that we need to sustain our lives when we find our dependence entirely on Him, then we can find rest, our strength can be renewed, we can learn what it means not to be afraid, we can believe that His goodness and mercy is alive in our lives.Focus on your breathing in and out, close your eyes, and listen intently to this version of Psalm 23God, my Shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty Shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. (MSG)The first version we read, the New Living, placed the text on what God will do for us in the future. The Message placed the text in the present, what He does for us. The reality is that both are true.What else do you need besides God? Could you use some time in a lush meadow? Beside a quiet pool? Time to catch your breath so you can head in the right direction. God is ready to meet your every need.Breathe deep … take in His truth today … then slowly exhale and let go of yesterday, the past. Move into the balance God offers you in this new day.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for offering all I need. Forgive me when I focus on all I want, especially those things that are outside of Your will. Lead me, Lord. I want to be able to say that, in You, I don't need anything or anyone else. As above, so below.”

In Mark 12, Jesus was asked which of the ten commandments was most important. His reply surprised them:‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”What is the first key phrase in this passage? The action verb Jesus began with? LOVE - Love the Lord … your God.We have to start with the very personal question: How much do I love God?How do we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds with all of our strength? Jesus showed us a road map in this passage.There are four quadrants mapped out of our being that Jesus mentioned here: Heart, Soul, Mind, and strength.We start with getting present with God - just me and Him - getting still. It is the premise of what we do here every day. We do this by breathing and getting still.Notice the passage starts with internal, intimate things - not intellectual things like the mind. It begins with our heart and soul. The order to this is criticalWe start by paying attention to our heart - what is going on inside. Approaching God as a child with all our feelings, failures and desires and bringing it to Him.Then we focus on our Soul by getting still and allowing His presence to speak to our inner being - without words.Only then do we engage our mind by taking in what God is saying.Lastly, our strength, what we do with encountering God.These are the steps Jesus laid out to love him wholly.Listen again to Jesus words.‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”Start, as Jesus said, with our heart -our feelings, then move to our soul - experiencing God in stillness caring for the deepest part of us, then move to feeding our minds by taking in what he is saying and then, and only then should we move forward in strength Knowing the source.What part of the four quadrants do you struggle to let be known by God? Heart, soul, mind, strength?These are all connected. Your heart matters—your soul matters. Your mind matters. What you do matters. But the order matters most.Can you allow God to love you today? Can you let him know more of you this next year?As you ruminate on those feelings, let's take some slow deep breaths once again.Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for taking all of the laws and simply telling us to love You with all we have, through a relationship with Jesus. Today, I seek Your balance. I give you my heart. My mind. My thoughts. My attitude. My spirit. My being. All that I have for all that You are. As above, so below.”

Ephesians 2:14-15 (The Message) The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.From biblical times, it has been a constant, and even today, we feel the pressure of segregation and separation. Not just racial segregation - social-economic segregation, political, denominational. We are a divided world. But because of Jesus, he brings peace to division. listen again The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody. Are you suspicious of anyone - their motives, agenda - their lifestyle? This passage so clearly talks about how, because of what Jesus sacrificially did, he got rid of the religious code of law that created division and became more of a hindrance than it was helpful… and he started over.  Because of what he did he ended animosity and suspicion, bringing peace… We no longer need to hold fast, dare I say worship, the idols of preference, position, prestige, or power. If there someone in your life, like there is in mine, that you view with animosity or suspicion, can you except that that person is on the same footing, the same level as you, in need of the Messiah who leveled the playing failed, see's us all, loves us all the same? PRAY: Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Ephesians. 4 1-3  In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. … I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.  So many scriptures talk about the peace that God gives us. This passage commands us to create peace actively. This was written from prison, from someone locked up unjustly. He is telling in light of the peace we have been shown to give that peace to others. listen again  In light of all this, here's what I want you to do.  I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.  Paul calls our attention to a few particular things that we are called to do; Number one, we are not to sit around and do nothing or continue down a path that goes nowhere. We are called to be active and intentional about sharing what we have been given.  Number two, we are to do this with humility and discipline, to make these two characteristics a way of life. Constantly humble and pouring ourselves out for each other in acts of love.  And Number three, we are called to notice differences between ourselves and others and do everything in our power to make peace.   Is there someone that comes to mind right now that you need to proactively humble yourself and make peace with as an act of love?  PRAY: Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen 

John 14:25-27 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “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.   In this passage, the baby Jesus we celebrated on Christmas has now lived about 30 years, and he's coming to the crossroads of what He came to do. He is sharing with his closest friends who, unbeknownst to them, are about to encounter complete chaos and, from the way it seems, the whole plan falling apart. Their Messiah, their friend, is murdered in front of them.   Peace is not a place, Peace is a person, Peace is a Presence. This same Presence is with us now, just as he was with his friends, his disciples, thousands of years ago.  Here Jesus is clearly telling us that: Number one, the Holy Spirit, who is one with Jesus and the Father, is with us to remind us of everything that he said.  Number two, He says don't be troubled or afraid even when things seem like they're all falling apart. Jesus has left us with a gift, peace of mind and heart.   What thoughts are troubling your mind right now that you can ask for peace of mind?  What heartache are you feeling right now that you can ask God to bring peace to your heart?  Jesus says the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give, so don't be troubled or afraid…   Breathe  PRAY: Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen 

Colossians 1:19-20  “For God in all his fullness  was pleased to live in Christ,  and through him God reconciled  everything to himself.  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth  by means to Christ's blood on the cross.“  What an amazing thought, the God of the universe, in all his fullness and completeness, was pleased to live as a human. And he did it all to reconcile everything; the word reconcile comes from the Latin root words (re) - back and (conciliar) - bring together. Bring back together. As intended. Made right.  The almighty, powerful creator - God, the same one that hung the moon and the stars and created everything, lowered himself, became a human, again, here's the amazing thing - was happy to do it because he wanted to make everything right. To bring everything back together as originally intended. Whole and complete.   And as a result, He brings you and I peace, shalom, which also means completeness and wholeness. All is right; every debt paid, every mistake and failure is forgotten. We can experience peace, being inseparably connected to the God of the universe, with all the power, and love, and grace, and mercy that goes with that, because of what happened. Jesus was born, Jesus lived, Jesus died, Jesus rose again to make peace with everything in heaven and on earth.  The most profound eternal problem you will ever face, separation from your Father God and his Love, Power, and grace, has already been reconciled for you. There is nothing you can do or not do to change that.  PRAY: Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen 

Luke 2:8-14Living BibleThat night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.“Don't be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket,[b] lying in a manger!”Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God:“Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,[c] “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.”Imagine for a moment that you're a shepherd back in the B.C. days. It's just another cold, lonely, pitch-dark night, sitting by the fire, watching the sheep. Then, suddenly, a blinding light pierces through the blackness, and you're face to face with an angel. He sees the terror in your eyes, knows you think that he has come to kill you because of your sin and low position, so then he declares, “Don't be scared. I have good news of great joy for all people.”  Disbelief overwhelms reality as you think, “Why me? And why here? … Aren't there some important people somewhere to do this? After all, we're just shepherds.”Shepherds, as a stereotype, had a reputation for being low-lives, men of bad reputation. They didn't observe the ceremonial law and were not religious men. They were so known for stealing and dishonesty that their testimony would not be considered reliable enough to testify in court. Think about that… God chose first to announce He was here to these men of bad reputation. He made His birth announcement to the least of these, setting a pattern for His Son's ministry.On that night, that holy night, everything changed and the broken, rejected, lowest of society were the ones that God chose to tell first. The words of the beautiful song, Oh Holy Night, capture the essence of that encounter.As we finish our time together - let me read you the words for this beautiful song. O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born.Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

ISAIAH 35Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.   The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers   and singing and joy!The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,   as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.There the Lord will display his glory,   the splendor of our God.With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,   and encourage those who have weak knees.Say to those with fearful hearts,   “Be strong, and do not fear,for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.   He is coming to save you.”And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind   and unplug the ears of the deaf.The lame will leap like a deer,   and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,   and streams will water the wasteland.The parched ground will become a pool,   and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish   where desert jackals once lived.And a great road will go through that once deserted land.   It will be named the Highway of Holiness.Evil-minded people will never travel on it.   It will be only for those who walk in God's ways;   fools will never walk there.Lions will not lurk along its course,   nor any other ferocious beasts.There will be no other dangers.   Only the redeemed will walk on it.Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.   They will enter Jerusalem[a] singing,   crowned with everlasting joy.—-Sorrow and mourning will disappear,   and they will be filled with joy and gladness.PRAY:Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Matthew 1:18-25The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they enjoyed their wedding night, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet's embryonic revelation to full term:Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.Scripture states that Joseph decides he should quietly divorce her, which was legally required of a betrothal or engagement in that day. He didn't want to expose her to any public disgrace or judgment. Yet, even amidst such great heartbreak, doubt, and question, Joseph put Mary first and protected her at all costs. He loved her, even in what he thought was his darkest moment.Joseph has a dream where an angel confirms Mary's story and tells him to name the boy “Jesus.” So, Joseph immediately marries Mary. But, here's an interesting facet to the story. Verse 24 - 25Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.Joseph does not have sex with his wife before her giving birth. Now, there is nothing in this passage where the angel tells Joseph to abstain; in fact, the angel says “don't hesitate to get married." Meaning he has all the legal rights of a husband. But Joseph made a choice out of respect to God's plan to stay out of God's way, to stay in His will.The integrity and love that often an unsung hero of the story is so inspiring. Joseph not only obeyed, but he went a step further and honored the purity of the story out of reverence for there being a bigger plan. Think about that, Joseph was married, anyone around him could've said it is possible that this child is Joseph's, but Joseph's discipline and self-control elevated God's will about his desires. He honored and highlighted the miraculous story that we celebrate, God with us. So there could be no doubt. This was God's son.Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Luke 1:46-56And Mary said,I'm bursting with God-news;    I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—    I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten,    the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave    on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength,    scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses,    pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet;    the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel;    he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It's exactly what he promised,    beginning with Abraham and right up to now.Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home.Mary's response to the Angel's news started with being amazed that God would choose her, saying, “she is the most fortunate woman on earth" . Then she goes on to say these beautiful words of worship about the character of God:God's very name is HolyHis mercy flowsHe shows strength, scattering the braggartsPulling victims out of the mudWho did God choose to bring the Savior of the world through? A lowly young girl, out of obscurity… Much like us.Can you take these words spoken by Mary thousands of years ago and accept them as what God, through this miraculous act, is saying to you?He embraces me as his chosen child.He remembers me and piles on mercies, piles them high.Doing exactly what he promised. What was foretold thousands of years before Jesus was born is exactly what God continues to do today.PRAY:Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Luke 1:26-38 MESSAGEIn the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”Mary said to the angel, “But how? I've never slept with a man.”The angel answered,The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.“And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is, six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”And Mary said,Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.Then the angel left her.Can you put yourself in Mary's place? Everything to that point was normal—everything in its place, just an ordinary day… then a beautiful disruption. An angel appears out of nowhere. It must have been terrifying. But the angel says don't fear. Something remarkable is going to happen.Listen again to some of the things the angel says will happen.“God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob's house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”Mary said to the angel, “But how? I've never slept with a man.”The angel answered,The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”Because of what happened over 2000 years ago, an impossible pregnancy story, is a perfect template for what God continues to do for all of us.He intersects, disrupts our normal, and says don't fear something remarkable is going to happen.Can you hear God saying to you… don't fear. God has a surprise for you, nothing, you see, is impossible with God.Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

1 John 4 We've seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. We love because we are loved. The kind of Love that this passage is about is exemplified by Jesus sacrificially becoming one of us. Since Jesus was born, a fearful life, a fear of death, a fear of judgment is banished — because well-formed Love vanishes fear.  The Love we have on our own for one another is fragile and transactional. The kind of Love that this passage is talking about goes beyond any kind of love we can have on our own. But it's a Love that is available. Not only for us but through us to others. A kind of intimacy, acceptance, and without limitation because of the one who first loved us and sacrificially came for us. This kind of Love is a power that wipes out fear. We can know this Love and give this Love because we were shown this Love first. As the scripture says — First we were loved, now we love. Let's pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.

Philippians 2:7-8 (Message) Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. The amazing thing about Christmas is that the Almighty God on high knew we would ever be able to measure up enough to be worthy of his Kingdom. But that didn't stop His Love for us. Instead, He came for us. He stepped aside from his status, position, and Holiness and lowered himself because of Love. And he didn't just do it one time, as in for one day. He stayed and walked in our shoes for 33 years, without entitled privileges. He came in a humble barn. He died in a humiliating way. This is ultimate Love, that lays down his rights, lays down justice, lays down entitlement, and lowers himself to our level, for our sake.  If we're honest, we all esteem ourselves better than other people from time to time. Someone who's wronged us, someone who's disappointed us or offended us… Someone who we compare ourselves to, saying… we would never do that.  Can you picture a person in your life that fits into that category in your mind right now? This passage starts with these words - Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. What can you do to humble yourself and reach out to that person and show them Love today?  Maybe it's a word of encouragement; maybe it's just letting them know that you were thinking about them, maybe say a prayer for them. Let's follow the example of Christ and let go of any entitlement or privilege, not just a thought but in deed. Lets pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.