Stewardship Devotion   Scripture Reading: “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…”  (Ephesians 4:13).   Peace Be With You   Peace is often defined by its opposite: war.  In fact, one of the dictionary’s definitions of peace is “a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity.”  That is a good definition of the condition between God and sinners who are without Jesus.  We are “in a state of enmity.”  Yet God took the initiative to make a peace pact with us. Through Christ, He is “merciful toward [our] iniquities, and …remember[s our] sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).  “Peace be to you!”  Jesus said to His disciples when He greeted them after the Resurrection (Luke 24:36).  Christ touches us with that peace, harmony between God and man and further harmony among us.   Because the Savior has touched us with His peace, we seek to bring peace into our relationships with one another, especially within the body of Christ.  Christ’s peace produces a new unity among the members of His church.  The peace that God establishes with each of us individually is permeating the whole body of Christ; we can, therefore, come together with one purpose, attaining to the fullness of Christ.  Our service to Him then is not fragmented, but rather unified, in harmony with God and with one another.  In peace, let us embrace each member, recognizing each other as Christ’s gift to His church, neither envying nor disdaining any among us, but together implementing all His gifts to His glory.   Pray: Dear Jesus, You have brought us divine peace.  We praise You that You have touched us with such peace.  Enable us to share that peace with one another in Your Church as we work together in unity for Your kingdom.  In Your precious name we pray.  Amen.