"Israel is at war," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israelis woke up under attack by air, land, and sea on Saturday, their Sabbath... At least 200 Israelis are reported dead and at least 1,000 wounded, some critically. Some areas were reported to have fallen under complete control of Hamas.  By evening, the IDF was still fighting terrorists in 22 locations inside Israel.

How quickly we forget. As we face each new trial in our lives we need to remember how God brought us through the last one.

There is a love that only God can give. This love was expressed when Jesus emptied Himself of His glory and privilege of being one with the Father and came to earth. It was the same love that led Jesus to the cross where He laid down His life for us. Now this love is seen in our resurrected Lord who is seated at the right hand of God and making intercession on our behalf.

Early January is a choice time to fast and pray for wisdom and direction for the new calendar year, in our marriages, families, finances, work, business, ministries, and even hobbies; and for the success of our church.

Finding peace on earth can seem to be an impossibility. With all the challenges we face, peace can seem like a dream. In light of this, some would suggest that we can only really have true peace someday in the sweet by and by when we leave this earthly existence and go to be with Jesus. While being free from this body of sin and knowing as we are known is going to be such a wonderful experience, at the same time we need to know that we don’t have to wait for peace until we die. We can have peace here and now.

Have you ever been sent to do an errand, but you know you are going to have to name drop in order to get what you need? You’ll have to say the name of the person who sent you or else you won’t get anywhere! Missions is like that. We have been given a great mandate by Jesus. We don’t do this for our own enjoyment or selfish motivation but we feel compelled by Jesus.

As one who is getting older, by natural reasoning I’ve also questioned how valuable older Christians are to God and His church. After all, we are a spirit (eternal beings), we have a soul (our mind, will, and emotions), and we live in a body (an earth-suit that has a limited, earthly time frame). Generation after generation has pondered the same question of whether God can continue to use us as we age. If He is going to use us, then how?

How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good [things,] Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52:7 NKJV

Welcome to 22 Days of Peace! We all need peace in our lives, but the world is trying to rob us of it. Maybe you’ve been missing peace. Peace is a gift from God that He wants to give to you! Our prayer is that, as you go through this devotional, you will find the missing peace that you were looking for as God gives it to you.

Dear Rock Family, It has been an incredible year of sowing into the Kingdom of God. This year, we were not able to physically travel to the mission field but it did not stop the move of God or our involvement in these precious places.