APRIL 6: We Have Peace with God
(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
In his ancient writings titled Discourses, stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote, “The proper work of the mind is the exercise of choice, refusal, yearning, repulsion, preparation, purpose, and assent. What then can pollute and clog the mind’s proper functioning? Nothing but its own corrupt decisions.”
Ryan Holiday6, a modern-day author who researches stoic philosophy, writes that repulsion, in this sense, is being repulsed by, “negativity, bad influences, [and] what isn’t true.”
Every day, we are inundated with information that may be either negative, a bad influence, or simply untrue. Some of these thoughts don’t come from elsewhere, but from within our selves. They come from our own negative thoughts.
For example some may give into the false narrative of, I will have peace with God when (fill-in-the-blank). Thoughts like these are biblically untrue, and as such, we should be completely and utterly repulsed by it. Instead, we must replace narratives like these with truths such as Romans 5:21, “we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.”
READING & JOURNALING:
Do you find yourself being repulsed by thoughts that lead to negativity, are a bad influence, and/or may not be true?
Write down a few things you’re not currently repulsed by, but you’re thinking maybe you should be. Are there Scriptures that go against these things? If so, meditate on those passages this week.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that there are a lot of things I see, hear, or read every day that are negative, a bad influence, or are untrue – in that they go against You and Your Word. Help me to see these things for what they really are and to recognize that true peace comes only because of what Jesus has done for me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence)
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.
Read: Nehemiah 7 & 8
Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.
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