Friday, March 6th

The book of Ephesians was written to give the church instructions on how to live together as the body of Christ. I guess people in the first century dealt with some of the same interpersonal challenges as we do today! Do we have to perfectly let go of all bitterness and anger in order to be God’s beloved children? No! Does getting rid of bitterness and anger improve our lives together as the body of Christ? Yes! Does it give us a sweet taste of the kingdom of heaven? Yes!!

May Christ’s work of forgiveness be reborn in us today. Make us your instruments, Lord Jesus , so that thy kingdom may come. Amen.

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Monday, March 2nd

Can I give you a challenge? Or issue an invitation? Take 5 minutes and memorize this verse. Once you’ve memorized it consider it your promise of the day and any time you feel forces of death, despair, fear, chaos or apathy threaten...repeat this verse. Take heart....we’re all repeating it today!! This is the promise of Jesus...for you!

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Saturday, February 29th

Will you pray for PEACE with me today? As a guide to today's prayer...Find a quiet place (harder for some of us than others😜). Slowly and intentionally give yourself time to be very specific and move from within yourself, extending the reach of your prayer wider with every petition.

Pray for peace...

  • Within yourself, name specifically the worries and anxieties of your day today.

  • within your closest relationships...name people specifically.

  • among your neighbors - take time to name them...

  • in your community (your city or township)

  • in your worshiping community (for most of us that's Kok.) Are there tensions that you know about? Are you at odds with someone? Pray for them...pray for Shalom.

  • in our state and local government, peace among all the people of Michigan..for places where there is strife, conflict, broken trust and relationships.

  • in our Nation...for a rebuilding, and a coming together instead of more fracturing, conflict, and hate.

  • in our World...for all peoples and for all of God's creation to be restored, redeemed, and brought into harmony.

Powerful Holy Spirit, receive all of these prayers and empower us to be the instruments of your peacemaking in the world. Amen.

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Thursday, February 27th

This blessing from Numbers has become a beloved part of many worship traditions. In Old Testament Hebrew, peace is "Shalom". Shalom/ Peace is so much more than just an absence of war or conflict. Shalom is the presence of something more...wholeness, completeness, health. The book of numbers was written as a continuation of the Israelite's journey out of Egypt and their establishing of a new society... "The book of Numbers continues the story of the journey out of Egypt, emphasizing the theme of God's faithfulness that endures even in the face of arduous journeys, physical privation, vacillating leadership, and unbelief." (enterthebible.org) Today's centering question: Where are you being called to bring wholeness? What are you being called to heal? Is there a place or a person who is wandering in the wilderness who needs to hear the promise of God's peace? Lord, make us instruments of your peace and love. Amen.

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