Just 7 more days, Folks! =) Luke 2.8-14 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, then angel of the Lord came unto them, and the glory of the Lord shown round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in waddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Look around. Where is that declared joy and peace? Peace means to be free from turmoil and war. Well, that certainly doesn't describe the world today. Probably my favorite Christmas song is one of the renditions of "I heard the bells". The best version of it that I have ever heard, I listened to the other day, but I can't find it again to share it with y'all. One of the verses really expresses what I am trying to get across here... "In despair I bowed my head. "There is no peace on earth", I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth & good will to men...."
He is Peace Isaiah 9.6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Romans 16.20, "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Philippians 4.9,"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." God is peace. He is the Prince of Peace. Peace came to earth that night wrapped in swaddling clothes. Peace is here today. Peace was, is, and always will be. He gives peace Romans 15.13, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace..." Psalms 29.11,"The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace." Philippians 4.9,"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." John 14.27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Ephesians 2.13 & 14," But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ. For he is our peace...." Romans 5.1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" We can only live in peace through Him. We must have Him to be able to have peace. True peace comes from Him alone. There is no substitute, as much as we try to make one. We must choose peace Colossians 3.15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Matthew 5.9,"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." James 3.18, "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." 2 timothy 2.22, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Romans 12.18, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Isaiah 26.3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." 1 Peter 3.10-11, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." 1 Thessalonians 5..13, "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." Hebrews 12.14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord;" To live in peace, we have a responsibility to choose peace. To LET the peace of God rule in our heart. We must follow and seek peace. We must trust in God. We must try to make peace with those around us. God gives peace; peace comes from Him, but we must do our part. And lastly, He did not come to bring Peace Matthew 10.34-39, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Luke 12.49-53, "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am straightened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Wait, what?! Wasn't He coming to bring peace to all men? That's what we assume. But He tells us, no. Instead, he came to give divisions. Divisions and variance. Those who are against Christ are also against those who are for Him. He came to be pierced with a sword. He came to be beaten. He came to be mocked. He came to die. What He came to do caused the hatred of men to be upon Him. That's not peace. What it IS, however, is the most beautiful love story. No greater love has been shown. He came to give eternal life to all those who will receive it, and a lasting peace to those who will trust in Him. But in doing so, the world hated Him. Peace on earth. It's sung in every carol and written on every billboard this time of year. Has peace really come? Peace came in the form of a child. Peace is here; God is here. Though His purpose in coming wasn't to bring peace to world, He offers it to those who will trust in Him. True, lasting peace only comes from Him. And, we must choose it; we must accept it. With these wars and fighting all around us, there may never be peace on earth, but this Christmas, we can peace in our heart. That's where it all begins, after all. Spend some time with the God of Peace today. I think it would do us all well. <3
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January 2023
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