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Day 19: John 19/Psalm 37
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Sunday March 14, 2004
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Consider the blameless,
observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.
…the future of the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the
righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of
trouble.
Psalm 37:37-39 (New International Version)
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Becoming a
Person of Peace
This Psalm is full of promises. The one I like the best is this: “there
is a future for the man of peace.” This is a hopeful Psalm that lays
out a path for us to follow in our times of confusion.
One of my favorite quotes
is George Elliot commenting on the nature of true friendship. “George”
was actually a British woman who couldn’t manage to get published under
her real female name (Mary Ann Evans). She understood the dynamic of
acceptance and rejection in life. She also had an amazing gift of
stating thoughts of the heart succinctly. She wrote,
“Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling
safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,
but to pour them all out, just as they are wheat and chaff together,
keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness, blow
the rest away.”
I have been a true
friend at times and at other times I have failed miserably at the task.
It takes the power of God to live a life that is consistent with the
kingdom of God and the peace of mankind. When our friends are sharing
with us we have the choice of letting them be at their worst and not
taking “notes” on their words and actions. A true friend doesn’t take a
deposition when their friend is venting their frustrations about life.
A true friend allows others to have their bad days and takes them in
stride – puts them in context with the many other good days that come
along.
I could always use
another friend or two like George describes above. My aspiration is to
be molded by the Holy Spirit into that sort of person.
We could change our
city if enough of us decided that we would become people of peace.
Today’s
Prayer:
Dear God, make me a person of peace. There are many ways that I can
live my life, but I choose today to live in the way of peace. Lead me
in the way of life and salvation that comes to the people of your
kingdom.
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Memory Verse of the Week:
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you
wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that
you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:7-8 (New International Version)
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For a complete
listing of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day
Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
John
19
o
Psalm
37
Steve Sjogren, sjogren@cincyvineyard.com, VCC’s
founding pastor. He writes, speaks, and coaches churches into an
outward focused perspective.
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