Scripture:
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
Luke 24:36-38 NIV


Application:
We often stand around worrying or let troubles interrupt our sleep. Jesus appears right in the midst of these troubles and asks us, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?"
With Him there to solve all of our problems, there is no good answer to His question.
Accept His peace.

Prayer:
We need Your guidance even on how to live with Your peace when we are troubled, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Scripture:
My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 CEB




Application:
When we are tested by difficult people or circumstances, is it better to
A.  stop ourselves before we say or do something out of anger, or
B.  be quick to apologize and make up for our bad responses?


Of course, A is best, but we all fail. But with B, there’s hope. The time it takes to apologize and make up will shorten if we mature. It may take years, but the number of times we have to apologize will decrease. Conversely,  the number times we stop ourselves will increase.
Don’t get mad, get better.


Prayer:
Dear Father, this journey of maturing is a hard one. We need the Holy Spirit’s solutions during these trials.  Amen.

Scripture:
Now the LORD God of heavenly forces is removing from Jerusalem and from Judah every form of support: all rations of food and water ... Yes, Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because the way they talk and act in word and deed insults the LORD , defying his brilliant glory.
Isaiah 3:1, 8 CEB


Application:
We should know that individuals can't expect to live happy lives if they dismiss God and treat His Way of living as nothing. But what about nations?
The same, if not worse.
Nations that disrespect God implode. They suffer international scorn. They lose their resources. Their political parties and businesses detest and exploit one another.
And God is behind this destruction.
Yes, it looks like self-destruction, but it could have been prevented had the country turned around, got on its knees and repented of its disrespect for God. Change its ways and be kinder.
Every nation on earth needs Godly people to pray for their country to find the Way to God, which his only through Jesus Christ, and to stay there.


Prayer:
Father God, we know that our nation will suffer greatly if it disrespects You and rejects Jesus Christ as Lord of all. We pray for Godly families, communities, and governments to sprout and spread across our nation so that we can avoid annihilation and live in Your peace and protection. And if the nations don’t change, please protect the innocent. Amen.