Striving for peace

​9-24-21
Today's devotion for today is based on Hebrews 12:14-17, "Strive for peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."
In our world, we are often told we have an individualistic culture. We have moved away from a sense of community and look out for ourselves and our close family.
But here, the writer instructs us to do something completely different. We are to look out for one another. We are to take responsibility for others in our community. You and I are to make the faith walk of others straight and level. You and I are to look out for others. You and I are not to cause trouble. And we cannot do that without having our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus. We cannot do this without the Holy Spirit filling us and leading us always.
Please pray with me: Loving Father, thank you for loving me. You desire that everyone loves you. You are asking me to live peacefully as part of my community, every moment of every day. I cannot do what you are requesting without you. Holy Spirit, lead me as I go about this day and week. Take my feeble arms and weak knees and strengthen them so that I can walk every day and week as a follower of Jesus. In Jesus' righteous name, I pray. Amen.