But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.1.7.KJV

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:8‭-‬10 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.5.8-10.KJV

Day 17 of 30 day devotional.

Twenty centuries have passed since Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came and the angels proclaimed peace on earth. But where is peace? The New Testament does not say that the angels prophesied peace: they proclaimed peace—peace to men of goodwill toward God. Jesus Christ came to manifest that God was with man, and by Him any man can be made a son of God according to the pattern of Jesus Christ. This is the Christian revelation.

Those who are in The Way have a strong family likeness to Jesus, His peace marks them in an altogether conspicuous manner. The light of the morning is on their faces, and the joy of the endless life is in their hearts. Wherever they go, men are gladdened or healed, or made conscious of a need.

Reflection Questions: Is my presence marked by Christ’s peace? In what ways am I participating in the peace Christ proclaimed? In what ways am I preventing it from becoming a reality?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2‭-‬3 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jas.1.2-3.KJV

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:16‭-‬17 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.5.16-17.KJV

Day 16 of 30 day devotional.

Immediately the Spirit of God comes in we begin to realize what it means—everything that is not of God has to be cleaned out. People are surprised and say, “I asked for the Holy Spirit and expected that He would bring me joy and peace, but I have had a terrible time ever since.” That is the sign He has come, He is turning out the “money-changers,” that is, the things that make the temple into a trafficking place for self-realization.

Be diplomatic. Be wise. Compromise in a shrewd way and you will get everything under your own control. That is the kind of thing the peace of the world is based on. We call it “diplomacy.” Jesus maintained His faith in God’s methods in spite of the temptations which were so wise from every standpoint except the standpoint of the Spirit of God.

Reflection Questions: What disruption does Jesus cause in my life? What is He determined to clean out and throw out? What confidence do I place in diplomacy?

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/zep.3.17.KJV

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Psalms 85:10‭-‬11 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.85.10-11.KJV

Day 15 of 30 day devotional.

When by the discipline of His Divine guidance, we know Him, and He going with us gives us Rest, then Time and Eternity are merged and lost in that amazing vital relationship. The union is one not of mystic contemplation, but of intense perfection of activity, not the Rest of the placid peace of stagnation, but the Rest of perfect motion.

The human soul is so mysterious that in the moment of a great tragedy men get face to face with things they never gave heed to before. In times of peace, how many of us bother one iota about the state of men’s hearts toward God? Yet these are the things that produce pain in the heart of God, not the wars and the devastation that so upset us.

Reflection Questions: How is the “rest of perfect motion” different from the “peace of stagnation”? In what ways is social and political peace the enemy of peace with God?

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.9.KJV