Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Today's Thought: Let us allow God's justice to work and let us live in peace.

In the border of Kentucky and West Virginia lived William Hatfield and Randolph McCoy. They fought over a razorback hog in the 19th century. While both men lived long lives, they also so the death of their loved as they try to take revenge with each other.

Let us remind ourselves that even if we think that the cause of our revenge is right, it will always end up wrong. Only God has the infinitive wisdom and patience to punish evildoers accordingly. He is treading on the winepress of His anger alone and there is no need for help from us.

While we are trained by the world to get even. Paul is telling us not to repay evil with evil. But let us allow God to do justice for vengeance is His.

Luke 24:46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Today's Thought: The sacrifice of Jesus is an important ingredient of our salvation.

When one substitutes one thing for the original, it may work. For instannce, when one does not like to use egg in baking, a little applesauce and baking power will still yield the sam result. Whether you travel by plane or by land, one still reaches his destination. There are several things in life that could make use of substitute.

However, when it comes to salvation, there is no substitute. When it comes to redemption, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ do not have any substitute. This is a fundamental part of our faith and there is no substitute to the same as Paul declared: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

There are no alternatives for the atonement of sin and for our reconciliation with God. No man could die for Jesus, nor angels could. It was the unrelentless pursuit of God that led Him to the cross to save us poor sinners. In return, we ought to serve Him with all our hearts, mind and strength.

Luke 21:25–26

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Today's Thought: Trust God and leave fear behind.

Afterthe successful invasion of Sicily, General George Patton was interviewed and was praised fo his courage. But Patton replied: "Sir, I am not a brave man. The truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands." The only thing that matters is that Patton was not controlled by his fears. "I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears."

The Bible is full of promises on not fearing tomorrow or the situation but trusting the Lord. It tells us that there will be troubles and pain ahead, but it will not take away the truth of the victory God has given us. Fear is not from the Lord.

Let us learn to take courage and trust God in everything. If we will be controlled by our fear, we will never see great things done for the Lord.

Philippians 2:5-8

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Today's Thought: Our testimony is one of the most important part of our Christian life.

Raymond Donovan joined the cabinet of President Ronald Reagan as Secretary of Labor. In 1987, Donovan was charged with corruption in relation to a subway construction project. While Donovan and the others were acquitted, Donovan asked: Which office do I go to get my reputation back?

Reputation is defined as: Estimation in which a person or thing is commonly held, whether favorable or not; character in the view of the public, the community, etc. It is not important a reputation for ourselves alone. It is more important to have a good reputation for us not to drag the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nathan reminded David on how he dragged the name of God to be blasphemed by the enemies of the Lord.

Let us not take pride in our reputation, but let us without reputation if the name of Christ is at stake. Jesus was willing to be looked down and spat on by people for us to have the eternal gift of salvation. Let us endeavor to care not of our name, but the name of Christ. There and then, we will also care for the name of our church and our name.

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.