Peace.
Let Peace Guard You
God repeatedly reminds His people that they do not need to fear because He is with them, strengthens them, and helps them. Peace does not mean that we will never have difficult circumstances or anxious thoughts. It means we have learned where to turn when those things come. As we choose to trust God, surrender what we cannot control, and remember His presence, we can experience a peace that is stronger than our circumstances. We may not know how the story will unfold, but we can know who is with us as it unfolds.
The Exchange
Paul gives us a practical way to respond when anxiety takes hold: pray, ask God specifically for what we need, give thanks, and release the situation to Him. Prayer is more than simply telling God what is bothering us; it is an invitation to exchange our anxiety for His peace. God may not immediately change the circumstance we are facing, but He can change what is happening within us as we trust Him with it. His peace can guard our hearts and minds even when the situation itself remains unresolved.
You Are Not Alone
When Jesus told His disciples that He was leaving, they had plenty of reasons to be anxious about the future. They were about to lose His physical presence and would have to navigate life and ministry without Him beside them. But Jesus promised that they would not be left as orphans because the Holy Spirit would come to be with them and live within them. Our peace is not based on having everything figured out or knowing how everything will turn out; our peace begins with knowing that God is with us.
Presence Over Answers
Sometimes God gives answers. Often, He gives something better—His presence. In your valley of questions, you may be demanding explanations when God is offering companionship. The psalmist didn't say,
The Peace Equation
Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Matthew 23:37 (ESV); John 14:27 (ESV)Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be ...
Recognizing Jesus in the Storm
Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Psalm 46:1–3, 10–11Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both ...
Anchored in Peace
Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Philippians 4Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what y...
The Sword of Truth
Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: Matthew 10:34-39Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both wha...
Trusting God with Everything
Open by taking 2-3 minutes to pray and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4. Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be atte...
Nothing is Too Small
We continue this week in the series Following Jesus, focusing more on how prayer is an essential piece of the armor of God and how we can apply it to our lives. Before we begin, let’s start with a prayer.Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for Your presence in our lives. I pray that we learn and understand the integral part prayer can have in our lives and that we can make prayer a habit....
Our Refuge in Times of Trouble
Today we are studying the idea of God as our refuge in times of trouble. Let’s begin in a simple prayer as we consider and study today’s psalm:Holy Spirit, my safe and secure retreat, help me to reflect on Your word as I analyze what it means to run to You in times of trouble. I welcome Your presence in my life today and in these next few moments of study. Amen.Psalm 9 (NLT) 1 I will praise you, L...
The Good News of Peace
The greatest news the world could ever receive. Jesus Christ made a way for everyone to be a part of the Church body with His redeeming work on the cross. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have peace with everyone who claims His name.Let’s begin with a simple prayer. I encourage you to make it your prayer as we go through today’s devotion.Heavenly Father, thank You for the unity of Your...
Search for Peace
This week, we are exploring what it means to be intentional in your search for peace. Take a moment and begin with this simple prayer.Heavenly Father, thank You for all You have done for me. Help me to always remember the many blessings I have had over the years, and when things get rough, to focus on You and my current blessings. I pray You point me back to Your word in all circumstances. Thank Y...
Live in Harmony
As followers of Jesus, we are called to live in such a way that we look different to the outside world. The way we interact with others matters; it should be like the way Jesus acted toward others. He lived a sacrificial life, always placing other’s needs before His own, and we should too. In Tree Church Kids, we use the scripture Matthew 7:12: Treat others the way you want to be treated. I think ...
Favor From Above
As we continue in the Following Jesus series, we are exploring the idea of being at peace with those who oppose us. This is no easy task. Let’s invite the presence of the Lord to lead us and speak to our hearts.Jesus, we know that You bless those who commit to follow Your truth for righteous living. May everyone around me see Your grace, and experience Your love through my words and actions. Amen....
Reflecting On Peace with Us Toward God
Saturday is a day to reflect on all that God has been speaking to you this week, and how it will affect your life going forward.From those of us on the Tree Church Daily team, we hope that you have had an impactful week in your time with God! We pray that you were challenged and encouraged by God’s word and His presence in your daily life.Today, we want you to do something simple yet important. We...
Choose Peace
Yesterday, we looked at God’s wonderful purpose for our life to become like Jesus. Today, we are spending our time keeping with the theme of peace with us towards God and reflecting on the truth that God has made His peace available to each of us. God provides us with clear instruction in today’s passage of how we can experience His peace. Let us start by inviting God into this time through prayer...
Becoming Like Jesus
This week, we’ve tackled the truth that we often feel disappointed with God during challenging seasons. His ways can be mysterious and confusing. We grapple with understanding God’s purpose in pain, as it stands in contrast to the peace we desire. Scripture gives us assurance that these moments develop character and a deeper trust in God’s plan. The path to finding peace during these difficult tim...
The Sanctuary of God
This week, we are continuing to unpack the good news of peace as we go deeper in our journey as disciples of Jesus. We live in a world that is often the opposite of peaceful, so let’s ask Him to quiet the noise in our environments, our heads, and our hearts to hear what He wants to say to us today.Oh Lord, my head swirls with the demands and responsibilities of life and the thousands of other voic...
Peace with Us Toward God
We are purposed to set aside Sundays at the Tree Church Daily as a special time to engage our hearts and minds in worship, prayer, and fellowship. It is a day to devote to God, and for seeking His will for our lives. This involves praying and asking the Holy Spirit to speak His truth to us. As you start your day, let’s pray… Heavenly Father, sometimes I don’t understand Your ways. I feel confused ...