Daily Devotional

Romans 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
In a perfect world, all would live in peace with each other. It doesn’t take long to be reminded that we do not live in a perfect world. It’s easy to be discouraged by the lack of peace we see on a regular basis. I was recently encouraged by the apostle Paul’s words found here in Romans 12:18. This led me to ask myself, how can I bring peace to the interactions I have with others? So far as it depends on me, I can be an ambassador of peace.
This reminds me of a story I recently shared with the students at Campus. Perhaps you’ve heard this story before as well. The story goes that there is a beach covered with countless starfish. They came in with the tide but as the tide receded, they were left on the shore to die. Someone was observing this sad scene from a distance when a little child came out and started throwing the starfish back into the ocean. The person observing asked the child, “What are you doing? You can’t save them all!” The child held up a starfish and replied, “No, but I can save this one.”
Sometimes we look at how large a problem is and wonder what difference we can make. We might not be able to bring peace to the entire world, but we can bring peace to the world around us. Paul also states that we are to do this “if possible.” He knows that realistically, it’s impossible to live in peace with everyone in this world. There are times when others simply do not want to live in peace with us. It is in these times that our peace-loving attitude is a costly one to have, but an attitude we are still called to maintain. Even then, God’s Word tells us how we should respond, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God…” (Rom. 12:19).
Even when peace is out of our hands, we can rely on and trust in God. I love Paul’s words in verse 21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Light drives out darkness, love conquers hate, good overcomes evil, and peace will triumph over strife.
This reminds me of a story I recently shared with the students at Campus. Perhaps you’ve heard this story before as well. The story goes that there is a beach covered with countless starfish. They came in with the tide but as the tide receded, they were left on the shore to die. Someone was observing this sad scene from a distance when a little child came out and started throwing the starfish back into the ocean. The person observing asked the child, “What are you doing? You can’t save them all!” The child held up a starfish and replied, “No, but I can save this one.”
Sometimes we look at how large a problem is and wonder what difference we can make. We might not be able to bring peace to the entire world, but we can bring peace to the world around us. Paul also states that we are to do this “if possible.” He knows that realistically, it’s impossible to live in peace with everyone in this world. There are times when others simply do not want to live in peace with us. It is in these times that our peace-loving attitude is a costly one to have, but an attitude we are still called to maintain. Even then, God’s Word tells us how we should respond, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God…” (Rom. 12:19).
Even when peace is out of our hands, we can rely on and trust in God. I love Paul’s words in verse 21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Light drives out darkness, love conquers hate, good overcomes evil, and peace will triumph over strife.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Categories
Recent
Daily Devotional
January 15th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 14th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 13th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 12th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 11th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 8th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 7th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 6th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 5th, 2021
Daily Devotional
January 4th, 2021
Tags
Archive
2021
2020
February
March
April
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDay 1 - Passion Week DevotionalDay 2 - Passion Week DevotionalDay 3 - Passion Week DevotionalIn Hindsight - Vol. 4Day 4 - Passion Week DevotionalDay 5 - Passion Week DevotionalDay 6 - Passion Week DevotionalDay 7 - Passion Week DevotionalDay 8 - Passion Week DevotionalDaily DevotionalIn Hindsight - Vol. 5Daily DevotionalA Personal NoteDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalIn Hindsight - Vol. 6Daily Devotional
May
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalCOVID-19 UpdateDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalOur Roadmap to Reopen
June
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalCOVID-19 UpdateDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalIn Hindsight - Vol. 7Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily Devotional
July
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalCOVID-19 UpdateDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalA Personal Message from our Worship PastorDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily Devotional: HopeDaily Devotional: HopeDaily Devotional: HopeDaily Devotional: HopeDaily Devotional: HopeIn Hindsight - Vol. 8Daily Devotional: SecurityDaily Devotional: SecurityDaily Devotional: SecurityDaily Devotional: SecurityDaily Devotional: Security
August
Daily Devotional: ImpactDaily Devotional: ImpactDaily Devotional: ImpactDaily Devotional: ImpactDaily Devotional: ImpactDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily Devotional
September
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalAdopt an ApartmentDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalA Personal Message from Pastor JimDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily Devotional
October
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalCOVID-19 Update from the Elder BoardDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily Devotional
November
Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalIntroduction to Advent DevotionalsDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalAdvent Devotionals: Day 1Advent Devotionals: Day 2
December
Advent Devotionals: Day 3Advent Devotionals: Day 4Advent Devotionals: Day 5Advent Devotionals: Day 6Advent Devotionals: Day 7Advent Devotionals: Day 8Advent Devotionals: Day 9Advent Devotionals: Day 10Advent Devotionals: Day 11Advent Devotionals: Day 12Advent Devotionals: Day 13Advent Devotionals: Day 14Advent Devotionals: Day 15Stay Home Order UpdateAdvent Devotionals: Day 16Advent Devotionals: Day 17Advent Devotionals: Day 18Advent Devotionals: Day 19Advent Devotionals: Day 20Advent Devotionals: Day 21Advent Devotionals: Day 22Advent Devotionals: Day 23Advent Devotionals: Day 24Advent Devotionals: Day 25Advent Devotionals: Day 26Advent Devotionals: Day 27Daily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily DevotionalDaily Devotional
2019
November
December