GPS-Boundary Waters Beach

JUL 27 / Sunday Read John 21

Overview: Nothing is beyond reconciliation. If you doubt that, then the story of Jesus forgiving Peter’s denial of him is a good reminder. Jesus restores Peter, but not without a hard conversation first.

28 / Mon – Separation  |  Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 esp v20

Estrangement between God and man began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve traded away their relationship with God. It’s not what He wanted, but He honored their freedom to choose. Every human born since then is subject to this separation. Through Jesus, there is a way to be reconciled. This probably isn’t news to you, but is there someone in your life who doesn’t know? Would you pray and watch for an opportunity to share it with them this week?

29 / Tue – Estranged brothers  |  Read Genesis 27:35-38, 41-45 / Genesis 33:1-4, 9-11

Conciliate means to bring together. Add the prefix re and it becomes re-conciliate, which means to bring together again. Betrayal had separated these twin brothers. Sin will do that in families. After many years, Jacob and Esau met again and were reconciled. God had used the intervening years to work on both their hearts. Are you estranged from someone in your family now, or were you in the past? What happened? If that relationship is still broken, don’t stop praying.

30 / Wed – Results of reconciliation  |  Read Romans 5:1 / Philippians 4:7

What does it mean to have peace with God? There is a conceptual link between the Greek word for reconcile and the Hebrew word for peace. When you have been reconciled with God, it brings peace to your soul. In any relationship, including your relationship with God, there will be challenges, but they don’t have to destroy your peace and the confidence that you are unconditionally loved. You have peace with God and also the peace of God that guards your heart and mind. What a gift!

31 / Thu – What God sees  |  Read Colossians 1:21-23

Do you ever wrestle at times with feeling like a failure in God’s eyes? That you don’t deserve all the blessings He’s given you because you keep messing up? These verses declare how God sees you since you and He have been reconciled. According to v22, what three things does He see when He looks at you? According to v23, what is your responsibility? What are some practical things you can do to combat the negative thoughts the devil tries to plant in your mind?

AUG 01 / Fri – Stand firm  |  Read 1 Peter 1:7

Yesterday’s verses were a reminder to continue to be firm in your faith. That faith has been and will continue to be tested. Why? What does the testing of your faith result in? Have you ever considered that your faith can bring praise and glory and honor to the Lord? Do you know that, because of your firm stance, other people’s opinion of Christ Jesus will be elevated? He certainly deserves it. Genuine faith that stays strong during the hard times is precious to the Lord.

02 / Sat – Making things right with others  |  Read Ephesians 4:1-3 / Matthew 5:21-24

There is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. It only takes one person to forgive, but it takes two active participants to reconcile. God forgave you, and you repented, so your relationship has been restored. That is what God wants for all His people. Jesus warns us about the way we speak to (and treat) our brothers and sisters in Christ in Matthew 5. It seems he doesn’t want anything we would give him until we have been reconciled with those we have hurt. Is the Holy Spirit bringing someone to mind with whom you need to make things right? Don’t delay.