What does God think about unrest and war? What is God’s future plan for war and for the nations?

God will judge the nations with his perfect justice. God will settle the disputes of every nation. God is a God of peace and he intends to bring his peace to the nations. God’s will is to end all war for all of time.

Every instrument of war will become an instrument of cultivation in the hands of God’s kingdom agents who are working to participate in the restoration of all things.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s restorative work, saying, “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4, ESV).

What would you get if you received what you were looking for? Would you be content to receive the reward of your search?

We often find what we are looking for—for better or for worse. It matters what we set our mind and heart to, as me might receive the fruits of our labor.

The wisdom of God from the Proverbs says, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21, ESV).

When we pursue what is right and kind, we find the rich reward of life, goodness, and integrity. We find life, righteousness, and honor.

What do you do with what you have been given? Are you faithful with stewarding what you have?

God will not entrust us with anything more if we are not good stewards of what we have been given.

In Luke’s Gospel account, Jesus said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10, ESV).

If we are faithful with what we have been given, God will entrust us with more so that we can better serve him.

What can you do without God? What is the main factor in bearing fruit in our lives?

There is nothing we can do apart from God. We must abide in Jesus if we are to produce any fruit in our lives.

In John’s Gospel account, Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV).

Just as a branch cannot produce fruit apart from the source of the plant, we cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Jesus. We cannot do anything without God’s help and provision.

What do you experience in stillness? What is the outcome of your stillness?

God wants us to be still and sure in our knowledge that he is God.

In our knowledge of God, we glorify God and participate in God being exalted everywhere.

The Psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10, ESV).

What detracts you from having peace with God? What keeps you from seeing God?

Often we do not have peace with God, because we are not at peace with the people around us. Sometimes we do not see God because we have sin in our lives that separates us from the holiness of God.

The author of the Book of Hebrews encourages us to, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14, ESV).

Being at peace with those around us and striving for holiness helps us to be at peace with God, and to be at peace with others, and helps us to see God clearly and to be at peace with God.

How are you sure of your position in this life, and your protection from the evil of this world?

God is faithful and generous concerning his children. We can be confident that God will set us up, set us on our way, and protect us from the evils of this life as we live for him.

The Apostle Paul wrote this encouragement to the church of the Thessalonians, saying, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV).

The Lord is faithful to establish us and to guard us against the evil one.

What does it mean to have a halfhearted or indifferent faith? What does it look like when our faith is apathetic or dispassionate?

The Laodicean Church was the poster child for an apathetic people towards their God. Jesus called the Laodiceans lukewarm. He said they were neither hot nor cold, and wanted to spit them out of his mouth—to have no part with them. Unlike the other six churches in the Book of Revelation, the Laodicean church had nothing positive that could be said of it.

Jesus begins his message to the church of Laodicea with condemnation, saying, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:15-17, ESV).

What is revival? How do we experience the revival of our faith in Jesus?

Revival is a reinvigoration of our relationship with Jesus—it is a re-awakening and renewal of our faith in Jesus. Revival is hearing Jesus knock and opening the door to him and letting him into our lives.

Evangelist and author Leonard Ravenhill said, “As long as we are content to live without revival, we will."

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus spoke to the church in Laodicea saying, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16, ESV).

What is love and how do we love well?

Love is God’s idea. Love is a choice and involves sacrifice.

The Apostle John defines love and its expression this way, when he wrote, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16, NIV).

We know love, because God has loved us. Jesus gave his life for us in love and in sacrifice. This love requires a love response from us of sacrifice and laying our lives down for our brothers and sisters as Jesus did for us.

What are your plans for this week? What are your plans for this year? What are your plans for your life? How do you expect to accomplish all that you are setting out to do?

It is good to make plans. Having aspirations and setting goals is a good thing. However, without God, our plans are futile. We need God. It is God who establishes our steps.

The wise Proverb says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV).

Can you think of all God has done for you and all of God’s goodness in the world?

God’s goodness can be abundant and overwhelming. God’s goodness can lead us to worship and to great hope if we look at who God is and at all God has done for us.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” (Isaiah 25:1, ESV).

What keeps you from sharing the best news you have? Do you not share because of lack of opportunity? Are you ashamed of the good news, and therefore you do not share it?

If we possess good news, we should share it with others. When we do not share the good news, we keep people from experiencing the good news, and all the benefits of the good news, as we have.

The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome, saying, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16, ESV).

God’s good news is for all people. We do not need to be ashamed of God’s good news, and we should proclaim it boldly to everyone, so that everyone will hear it and receive it.

Have you ever suffered for doing the right thing? Have you ever been marginalized, discriminated against, or persecuted for your beliefs?

We can experience hardships, suffering, and even persecution as we live out our faith in the world. Sometimes we can receive bad outcomes from living righteous lives. Even though we may experience marginalization, discrimination, or persecution for our beliefs, Jesus promises us the kingdom of heaven.

In the Beatitudes, from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10, ESV).

Where do you find wisdom, understanding, and discernment for your life?

When we open ourselves to it, God’s word is living and active in our lives. God’s word cuts to the heart and soul, and searches our spirit. God’s word gives us the wisdom, understanding, and discernment we need.

The author of Hebrews writes, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV).

When we search the word of God, the word of God searches us and gives us the wisdom we need to live our lives. God’s word is living and active and helps discern our thoughts and the intentions of our heart.

Do you believe God has your best in mind and a plan for your life, even when times are difficult and when you are experiencing turmoil and judgement?

For most of us it is easier to trust God when everything is going well, and when we are experiencing blessing and an easy road. It is more difficult to trust God’s plan when we are experiencing hardship or judgement.

God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah in the middle of hardship and judgement, saying, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).

When we are facing hardship and perceive we are facing judgement and the end, God promises he has a plan for our lives. God has our best in mind. God has a plan for our well being and gives us a future hope.

Have you ever poured yourself out in love and given of yourself only to find you were filled with love and received replenishing?

It is often the case that when we give we also receive. The measure we use to give to others is often the measure we receive from others.

The wise author of the wisdom book of Proverbs wrote, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25, ESV).

When we live our lives as a blessing to others, we in turn are enriched and blessed. When we water others, not only do they bear fruit, but we are watered and we bear fruit as well.

How do we know wisdom? How do we become wise? How do we live wisely?

It has been said that wisdom is applied knowledge. Wisdom is essential for living well. If we are to live wisely, we need to apply what we know to how we live.

If we walk with those who are wise, we will learn what they know and we will learn how to apply what they know to our own lives. When we walk with the wise, we will become wise.

The author of the Proverbs writes, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20, ESV).

When challenges arise and life becomes difficult or even unbearable, how do you get out of bed another day and push through?

We all face challenges and hardship in life. Some days are better than others, but we can face painful circumstances and difficulties beyond what we feel we can endure.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Church in Corinth, saying, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 9:25, ESV).

In the face of all that life throws at us, we must look towards the goal of eternity with God and an imperishable reward. Like a professional athlete, we labor and we discipline ourselves to finish the race—one day at a time and one decision at a time—to get up, to press in, to move forward, and to finish.

When you are grieving, where do you go for hope and comfort?

We all experience loss and grief at some point in our lives. We experience times of sadness and mourning where we need to be comforted.

In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, ESV).

When we are mourning we can be confident that comfort is coming. Jesus promised that the mourner is blessed, because they will experience God’s comfort.