One Year Bible Reading Plan and Devotional
Today’s Bible Reading: March 1
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One Year Bible Reading Plan
Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the Holman Christian Standard Bible at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.
Why is Peace So Elusive?
by guest writer Frances Coffield
Peace. As we see the news and events unfolding in the Ukraine, Christians all over the world are praying. We’ve seen pictures of people in the Ukraine on bended knee in the snow praying for God to intervene. We hear stories about people running to the subways for safety. Over 500,000 have fled the Ukraine to the eastern edge of the European Union.1 These people have chosen to leave everything behind, not knowing what will be there when they return – or if they will return.
While we watch the news or browse the news websites for updated information, an entire nation sits in fear. Those of us around the world who are not directly involved may not have to sleep in cold, drafty subways while trying to calm the fears of our children, but our sense of peace is disturbed. So I have chosen to bring back this post that my mother wrote for us last year.
As you read today’s devotional, I pray that you will pray for the Ukraine nation. Pray for Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy’s safety as he stands beside his people. Pray for their military, who are fighting for the most precious human commodity – freedom. I pray that God will stir up the Christians in our nation and around the world to be zealous for Him. Will you join us in praying for the Ukraine nation and for a spiritual revival in whatever country you live in? If so, in the comments, write “Praying for Ukraine and revival in [your country’s name].”
Why is Peace So Elusive? by Fran Coffield
We live in a world filled with turmoil, lies, deceit, murders. There are gang wars, national wars, family wars, even wars within many churches. Yet, Jesus said, “Peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27). So, why is peace so elusive?
Spiritual Adultery Kindles God’s Wrath
In the 25th chapter of Numbers, we find that God’s people sinned by committing spiritual adultery, in other words, they left God to worship the idol, Baal. As a result, the anger of the Lord was kindled again them (vs.3) and God judged the idol worshipers harshly. Twenty-four thousand people died as a result of their sin.
Zealous for God made Peace with God
When Phinehas, a priest, took action against the idol worshipers, God turned away His wrath (v. 11) and promised peace to Phinehas and his descendants “because he was zealous for his God and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” (vs. 13)
A heart with unconfessed sin cannot find peace
Peace can never be found in a heart with unconfessed sin. Isaiah 48:22 states, “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.” If we put anything before God — wealth, position, family, pleasure, hobbies — we are guilty of idolatry. If we lie, steal, gossip, or do anything to dishonor God we commit sin. We cannot find peace when we have unconfessed sin.
Finding True Peace
But, God is also full of mercy and grace and eager to forgive confessed sin. True peace is found not in the absence of conflict, but often in the midst of conflict. Ephesians 2:14 teaches, “For He (Christ Jesus) is our peace…” and we learn in Galatians 5:22 that peace is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confession of and repentance from sin is the key to lasting peace.
We are just as guilty of Idolatry
Today, we are not much different than Israel. We may not worship Baal, but we are just as guilty of idolatry as Israel was. Our idols today might be our spouse, children, family, health, wealth, power, position, or jobs. Just as Israel experienced peace when they had a right relationship with God, our world today will only find peace from the wars and sin that plague us when we zealously turn our hearts back to God in true repentance and acknowledge Him as Lord. God stands just as ready to forgive us today as He did Israel when they repented. Only then can we experience lasting peace.
Praying for Ukraine and Revival
God, today our hearts are burdened for the people in the Ukraine. We ask that you bring a swift and peaceful end to the conflict and war. We ask you to protect Ukraine’s president, their soldiers, and all the Ukrainians. Bless the soldier’s wives and children with peace and safety while their husbands and fathers are fighting in this war. We ask that you would redeem this situation by drawing both the Russians and the Ukrainian unto yourself. Show them that Jesus is the only true source of peace, safety, comfort, truth and freedom.
We pray that the Ukrainians ultimately would hope not in governments, elections or diplomacy, but in Jesus Christ. We ask that you would deliver Ukraine from evil and have mercy on this nation and heal their land. Give them your peace and the chance to develop as a nation that values truth, justice, and freedom, all rooted in your holy goodness. We pray for unity and love to supersede conflict. We pray for the world leaders involved in diplomacy over Ukraine and ask that you give them wisdom and knowledge. And we pray for the Ukrainian Christians that you would guide them as their faith is being tested. Restore peace to their land.
Lord, we bring our own country before you as we have strayed so far away for you. Send a revival to our country. God, harden not our hearts against you. Remove our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. Place a new Spirit within us, and may we search for You with all our heart, mind, and soul. Draw us to repentance and forgive us where we have turned away from you. Help us, o Lord, to be zealous for you. Restore peace to our land.
#ReadYourBible #Leviticus #Mark #peace #spiritualadultry #idolworship #war #Ukraine
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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars
by Julia M. Bruce
What’s Inside God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
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