Cheri Cowell - 365 Devotions for Peace

365 Devotions for Peace

Copyright 2015 by Zondervan

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ePub Edition November 2015: ISBN 978-0-3103-5645-5

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Cover design: Kathy Mitchell

Cover illustration: Kathy Mitchell

Interior design: Lori Lynch

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Contents

Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let
no event of this world disturb it.

Saint John of the Cross

In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1 NCV

H appy New Year! Today marks a new beginning. No, we dont know what this year will hold. And, yes, were still living with unresolved situations from last yearwhich, after all, was only yesterday! But still we can celebrate the fresh start that this blank calendar represents.

We are able to celebrate despite the unknowns of the next 365 days because of the truth of John 1:1. In the beginning of eternity (that sounds like a paradox!), GodFather, Son, Spiritwas there. Now, at the beginning of this year, GodFather, Son, Spiritis here with us. And God will be with us every month, day, hour, and minute of this new year, which is ample reason for hope, anticipation, and peace.

God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving; He is faithful and forgiving; He is gracious, good, and kind. And He is with us. He will be with us. Thats why we can know peace.

God, I am grateful Youre with me on January 1 and that Youll be with me through December 31. Teach me to be mindful of Your presence, which brings me peace. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

N one of us completely avoided storms last year. The intensity of those storms may have varied, but they blew their way into each of our lives.

During those difficult times, you may have felt like a sailor standing on the bow of your battered ship, searching the horizon for calm seas and fair weather. With binoculars in hand, you scanned the waters looking for some solid land on which to toss your anchor until the storm passed. In the midst of the dark sky, pelting rain, and churning waters, you mostly found yourself looking at a lot of nothingthat is, until you saw the Rock that is Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and for all your tomorrows. That promise offers hope: your gracious Redeemer brings good from storms. This year, when you find yourself tossed around by lifes challenges, anchor yourself to Christ. He will hold you steady.

Jesus, help me to anchor myself to You in all I do this year. Only in You can I know safety, security, and peace. Amen.

Have you not even read this Scripture: THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.

Mark 12:10 NASB

D id you ever play with Lincoln Logs, those small, wooden, log-shaped pieces you could use to make any number of structures? If you played with more than one set, you could build an entire town. Of course, a favorite challenge was seeing how high you could construct your building before it toppled. You learned quickly that if you set the first level of blocks securely, your building had a better chance of standing tall.

Knowing the importance of a solid foundation, Jesus counseled His followers to make Him the cornerstone of their lives. The cornerstone of a building is the foundation upon which all other stones are set. Much like that first Lincoln Log, when we allow Jesus to be our foundation and build our lives on Him, we will stand tall for Jesus.

So live each new day wisely: place it on the cornerstone of Christ, and your building will rise secure.

Jesus, help me remember that only when I build my life on the sure foundation of who You areGods Son, my Savior and Lordcan I know true peace. Amen.

Jesus looked at [His disciples] and said, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.

Mark 10:27 NKJV

A re you a planner, or do you prefer to make decisions in the spur of the moment? If youre a planneror if you want to become a better onethe beginning of a new year is a great time to strategize and set some goals.

Most experts suggest making your initial goal achievable to build confidence and momentum. But these experts also advise having a significant goal that stretches you. Maybe youve heard it said that if you shoot for the moon and miss, you will still land among the stars. That saying may be encouraging, but another point of view is even more empowering.

Look again at Mark 10 and the truth Jesus proclaimed: God is in the impossible business. He makes what looks impossible possible. Keep that in mind as you dream, plan, and set goals for the new year.

Commit your plans to God, align them with His will, and rely on His guidance each step of the way. As you do these things, youll experience the peace that comes with knowing that the God of the impossible is on your side.

God of the impossible, as I consider this new year, help me to aim high yet follow Your guidance each step of the way. Amen.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

I n 1904, cement industry pioneer Robert Butchart dug a limestone quarry in Victoria, British Columbia. After excavating the quarry, all that remained was a large, deep pit. Hardly a tourist attraction!

Roberts wife, Jennie, decided to turn the gigantic, ugly pit into something beautiful. She had many tons of topsoil carted in by horse and began planting flowers and trees. This labor of love took twenty-three years, and her son continued the project for another fifty years. Now every year Butchart Gardens welcomes almost a million visitors who delight in the fifty-five acres of the former quarry, now home to peaceful gardens.