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PWTE Daily Devotion

Last Shot

It’s the last shot that is often the most beautiful shot.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.
These are the sacrifices that please God.”

Hebrews 13:16 New Living Translation

My companions and I had been shooting pictures for three hours when I took this photograph. We started shooting as the sun was setting and finished when the moon was well above the horizon. When we entered the park there were people gathering to beat their drums to the rising full moon. When we left most of them had already moved on.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado

I was tired and cold. I had a good reason to head to my car, put my camera away and head home listening to Eric Clapton.

Yet, there was one last shot that had to be taken. A spotlight lit the Kissing Camels as the moon cast its light on the North Gateway Rock. Once again, I dropped my tripod legs, set up my camera, and pressed the shutter for a 30 second exposure.

The last shot is often the best shot.

Before the writer to the Hebrews concludes his letter, he gives us one more shot, and maybe it’s the most important shot we hear following his presentation of Christ. “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.”

That about covers what it means to live the faith to which we cling. Doing good and sharing with those in need is the life that Christ lived for us. In his death he shared his life, forgiving us and saving us.

We’re called to do the same for others. It’s what we do.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Finding Rest in Life’s Battles

Jesus is our rest in life’s battles.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you alone,
O LORD, enable me to live securely.”
Psalm 4:8 God’s Word to the Nations

Technically the American Civil War didn’t end at Fort Sumter but it did begin here. The federal government built Fort Sumter after the War of 1812. Though the work of building the stronghold began in Charleston Harbor in 1829, the fort wasn’t completed until 1860. Then on April 12, 1861 the first shots of the Civil War were fired from Charleston on Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina
Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina

Most of the damage you see in this picture was the product of relentless Union attempts to recapture the fort beginning in 1863. It’s estimated that over seven million tons of ammunition fell on Fort Sumter from the morning of April 12, 1861 until Union forces retook it on February 17, 1865. Less than two months later Confederate General Lee surrendered the Army of North Virginia at Appomattox.

Much of life feels like the constant barrage of Fort Sumter.

Many of you reading this blog wish that what the psalmist proclaimed would be your reality. When your head hits the pillow it is only the beginning of the barrage of thoughts, emotions and physical anguish in the timeless darkness of night.

From his conception in Mary’s womb to his ascension at the right hand of the Father, Jesus took the bombardment of hell for you. You see, the psalmist could sleep not because of his efforts but because of his God who made him live securely. Our souls find their rest in Jesus.

The rest that God gives us this side of the grave is only a small picture of the rest we will have with him when he fulfills his promise to bring his bride home on the day of resurrection.

Until then, may you find rest from beginning to end in the one who won the battle for you.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Shalom!

In God’s hands, peace is more than “peace.”

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“May the mountains bring peace to the people and the hills bring righteousness.”
Psalm 72:3 God’s Word to the Nations

Psalm 72 is a prayer for the king who serves God’s people. It was either written by or for King Solomon, and applied to all the kings that would follow.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado

The psalmist prays for the king to rule with justice and righteousness, two key virtues of God’s people. As a result of his just and righteous rule, the people will experience peace. They will experience shalom.

Yet shalom is more than peace. Shalom is prosperity, wholeness and security. How many of us wouldn’t want to experience these qualities in our lives?

When we set ourselves up as rulers of our own destiny we might fool ourselves that we’ll experience security, wholeness and prosperity, yet most often we experience despair.

As is so often the case, the psalms are best understood when we see them as Jesus’ prayer book. He is our king. It is in Jesus that we experience shalom. It is in Jesus that we experience peace, prosperity, wholeness and security.

His justice and righteousness has been commanded from his cross. Justice for our sin has been declared in Jesus. The ability to experience righteousness flows from the throne of his cross.

We live in a world where it seems that we experience chaos more often than peace. Too often we place ourselves as rulers of our own destiny.

In midst of this chaos we hear Jesus speak peace, a peace that we can taste today. A peace we will experience for eternity.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner