Cornerstone District News
Lenten Devotional #3, Rev. Suzanne Block
March 8, 2021 / By Cathy Hall / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is a blessing to be able to share this weekly devotional with you during this season of Lent. We are asking ourselves this question throughout Lent, “How do we see God?”
Matthew 5:8 tells us, “the pure in heart see God.” Can we become pure in heart? If so, how do we do this?
Journeying through Lent includes times of: self–examination and repentance; prayer and fasting; self–denial; reading and meditating on God's Word.
This third week of Lent our focus is on living our lives with God’s peace; the peace that passes all understanding. Read John 14:26-27
The King James Version Dictionary’s definition of peace: In English, the word "peace" conjures up a passive picture, one showing an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal & external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that & rests heavily on the Hebrew root slm, which means "to be complete" or "to be sound." The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning" to be complete or whole" or "to live well."
The dictionary defines peace as, “freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.”
The opposite of peace is discord, noise, agitation, conflict, distress, war.
Before we talk about finding God’s inner peace, what are some of the things in your life that do not bring you peace?
Here is a short list of some areas in our lives, community and world that do not lead to peace: Poverty, Violence, Bullying, Racism, War, Self-centeredness, Addictions, Homelessness, Mental Illness, Disease – Terminal Illness, Technology, Busyness, Elimination of faith and prayer in public arenas, Natural Disasters, Stress, Noise, Pollution, Not caring for the environment, Death, Aging and Uncertainty.
This is a small list and you may have identified other areas in your life that do not bring you peace.
Think about this - where do you find peace and how do you find peace?
Isaiah 26:3 “God will keep you in perfect peace, anyone whose mind is focused on you, because they are trusting in you.”
Our desire as faithful followers of Jesus are to be faithful, obedient and intentional in our prayers and in our lives as we seek God’s peace. Why?
We are called to be peacemakers and as disciples we are to strive to live our lives with God’s inner peace. Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Does this mean there will be no challenges and life will always be “easy?” No. There will be challenges. Challenges and events that we will not understand; that we will question; that will cry out to God, “Why?”
The good news is this. Through all of life’s uncertainty and the absence of outer peace, God is with us. God is beside us. God goes before us. God is behind us. God is for us. Even when we do not feel God’s presence or peace, God is there. It is only when we prayerfully reflect on the situations and events in our lives will we come to understand God’s presence and God’s peace with us. This is not easy, especially when we are in the middle of a crisis. Take heart, God’s peace is available to all who seek God’s peace.
When we live with humility & purpose, when we give up our self-focus & aimlessness, when we seek God’s peace and not discord, we live in obedience & faithfulness to God. Seeking God’s peace develops our Christ-like character becoming pure in heart.
So, over the next several weeks, I prayerfully challenge each one of us to continue a time of self-reflection & the ability to rid ourselves of the characteristics that hinder us from seeing God.
This week as you hold a nail during your prayer time pray for the ability to receive God’s peace for your life and to become a peacemaker. This means ridding yourself of discord, unrest, noise and agitation. Intentionally working on becoming “pure in heart.”
So, “How do we see God?” Matthew 5:8 tells us, “the pure in heart see God.”
Questions for Reflection: Read John 14:26-27
What in your life is causing you discord? Write them down.
What are the “challenges or situations” are you unable to let go of?
In prayerful reflection see the area(s) in your life where you can receive the peace of God. Write them down and write a prayer to God of thanksgiving.
Pray for God’s peace. Reflect on the areas of your life that were challenges and how did God walk with you. Write them down.
Reflect on the hymn below and how we can begin to live and share God’s peace.
Let There Be Peace on Earth, UMH #431
By Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me, Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be. With God as our Creator, Children all are we, Let us walk with each other In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, Let this be the moment now. With ev'ry step I take, Let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment and live Each moment in peace eternally,
Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me.
I hope you find this time of reflection a time of growing in faith as we journey to the cross together, seeking to become “pure in heart.”
Journeying Together,
Pastor Suzanne