March 15, 2026

Choose Joy

December 24, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This final week’s theme is JOY.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

…But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.
“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
Luke 2:10

And a voice from heaven said,
“You are my dearly loved Son, and You bring Me great joy.”
Mark 1:11

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Joy… I had to look up the definition, because I wasn’t quite sure what the actual meaning was. I do know that joy and happiness are NOT the same thing. What I recall being taught about joy and happiness is that happiness is based on circumstances and joy is independent of circumstances. To be joyful, like having a healthy thought life, is a choice—a choice that’s easier to make when a person is grounded in the Word of God.

I’m sure on any given day all of us, if we’d only pause for a moment, could make a list of things that are wrong in our lives. Even the Prince of Peace warned, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). However, if all we focus on is what’s wrong, then life will just seem wrong. Jesus said to take heart.

Evil is always going to try and overcome good…it’s just the world we live in. But God is always victorious no matter how things look.

I’ve been studying Matthew 14 :22-33 for over a week. It’s the well-known account of when Peter walks on the water. And just like when Peter sunk when he focused on the waves, so our joy can sink when we focus on our trials and sorrows—it’s inevitable.

I am not saying that trials and sorrows are to be ignored. By all means, please don’t ignore the ever-rising stack of bills you have! But what I am saying is this: take the problem to God, give it to Him, get in His Word and find out what He says about your issue, then focus on Him and watch what He does! Don’t take the problem back or even sneak a peek at it. Leave it in the Lord’s hands. In exchange you will find a peace that opens the door to amazing joy.

That sounds like an awesome exchange to me. Choose joy. The alternative really isn’t all that grand.

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Lord, thank You for being such an amazing Provider. Not only do You provide financially, but also mentally. Not only do You comfort, forgive, redeem, save, and fight for us, but You also give us joy, peace, and hope. Thank You for being the example of unconditional love and for making true joy available to me. Help me to choose joy even when I don’t feel like it and to remain above my circumstances focusing on You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Joy of the Season

December 23, 2013 by
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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This final week’s theme is JOY.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

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The definition of Joy: “…the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; the expression or exhibition of such emotion gaiety; a state of happiness or felicity bliss; a source or cause of delight”

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:10 (ESV)

I can just imagine the awestruck look of the shepherds when they saw and heard the Angel of the Lord right beside them. Then seeing and hearing the heavenly host singing praised to God about the birth of His son Jesus! I would think that not many people had ever heard the voices that are God’s exclusive choir. We have the opportunity every day to share the joy of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

During the Christmas season, we need to focus on what is real about this holiday—celebrating the birth of Jesus and what promises He brings to us, His people. As we celebrate this Christmas season, let us find new ways to bring Christ back into our homes. This can be done by reading the Nativity story, or asking the younger children to act out the story at home and by singing praises to God our Father.

Be sure to share the joy of receiving Christ into your heart with others. Write down your testimony and prepare to share it with others. You may be surprised of how much your story could inspire others to believe—or better yet—to rededicate their life to God. We each have our journey that began at birth. We have walked out things in common with each other but some things will be unique to our own lives. Who knows if God had us walk through those circumstances to come through and be able to help others with similar situations…?

Joy is ultimately a choice, just as forgiveness is a choice. We each have a decision to make. Belief and trust in God will allow us to make changes in what we do and think and say in our everyday life. Joy is an inward change and one that was greatly hoped and prayed for when Jesus was born several thousand years ago.

Let’s pray.  Father, thank You for loving us enough to send Your Son, Jesus, to become one of us. Thank You for wanting to show us the kind of relationship You have desired with us since You created Adam and Eve. We each search for that relationship that only You can give. You will always complete the void in our lives.  We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

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Love Does Not Judge

December 20, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is LOVE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

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This is how God showed His love among us:
He sent His one and only Son into the world
that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:9

He called fishermen to be His disciples (Matthew 4:18). He was anointed by a sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50). He defied social customs and revealed Himself to an outcast Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26).

Whom does Jesus love? Everyone. Whom does Jesus accept? Everyone. Jesus said,  “For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world,“ John 12:47b. When Jesus came to Earth He deemed the greatest commandments to be to love of his Father and to love our neighbors (Mark 12:29-31).

Jesus showed us that we could love all people, and love people that sin, but hate sin. He loved the woman at the well. He loved the cripple by the pool. He loved the blind man who sat near the gate. He loved. He did not look at them and dissect every sin they commited, every thought they had. No! Jesus, knowingly, looked at people and just loved them.

The love we have been called to give is love with action. We can choose to love or we can choose not to love. We can even call that which we think is love love when it truly is not.

The Lord has been showing me that I’ve added something to my love. My love is not unconditional like His. No, my love is rather conditional, and this is no way to love at all. I’ve  begun, without noticing, to decide who is “worthy” and “safe” enough for my love. This is not the kind of love that spurred Jesus forward to the Cross that awaited Him. This is not a godly love.

I am no one’s judge, but somewhere along the way I decided I was. The Lord has shown me the error of my “loving.”  How many people have I missed out on truly loving because of the conditions I have placed.  My cousin very recently passed away…he was murdered.  I know that he was one of these whom I have missed out on loving; and now I don’t have the opportunity to make amends.

The problem with adding conditions to our love—besides the fact that it’s not Godly love—is that my conditions may be different from your conditions; and although I may think I’m loving you, you may not feel the same. The beauty of God’s unconditional love is that there is no confusion. Conditional love is isolating. Unconditional love is inclusive. Conditional love judges. Unconditional love accepts.

Conditional love is self-serving. Unconditional love comes down from heaven to a world of people who don’t accept You, who have sinned against You, and who nailed You to a cross, so that You could give them eternal life.

Jesus was sent to save people, not judge them. We are sent to do the same. Dare we love like Jesus???

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Lord, continue to show me how to love like You and remind me that I am the judge of no one.  Praying in Your name.  Amen.

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Give Love

December 19, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is LOVE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

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Christmas is all so much about giving. Even the stingiest folks that we know…the ones with the ‘bah! humbug!’ attitude…understand the giving of the season.  Little children understand about giving; big kids, too.  So much of our conversation at this time of the year centers around the subject of giving.

Now…back to my first sentence.  What I first wrote is true. ‘Christmas IS all about giving.’  THAT is the absolute, total, complete, whole TRUTH!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

But, wait…let’s look at those words again.  God ‘so loved the world…’ His love was the motivation.  And what He gave (His only begotten Son, Jesus), well that’s love, too.  Almighty God has set the standard for giving—LOVE.  Giving should be all about love.

  • Just like God, love should be the motivation for our giving.
  • Just like God, love should be what we give.

And we, as His children, have been enabled and equipped to be ABLE to love.

…for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts
through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5

So, in the midst of the sewing, and the wrapping, and the baking, and the shopping, and all the other activities, here’s a challenge I would like to set before each of us: let’s purpose to give love!  I can only begin to imagine the myriad of opportunities that we will have to give love if we look to do so!  Start small, perhaps…give love by smiling at those you meet.  Whether wandering through the aisles or in line at the grocery store…look into the eyes of those you pass and smile.  (Oh!  And pray for them!)   Or go a little bigger…there are so very many needs in this world!  Go to a battered women’s shelter and sit and talk.  Visit an assisted living community and sing Christmas carols.  If we ask God to lead us and give us opportunity to show His love…I KNOW He will!

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:7-11

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Oh Dear Father, You have shown such a perfect standard for giving.  And we thank You for that! And You have enabled us to show Your love by pouring Your love into our hearts.  Help us, Father, to reach out with that love.  Help us to go beyond our comfort level, and be love to those who need love.  May You be pleased by our obedience and our actions.  And may the love we show draw others to You.  Thank You for Your love, gracious Father!  We love You so!  In Jesus’ precious name, we pray.  Amen.  <3

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The Greatest Gift of Love

December 18, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is LOVE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

Love is the reason that Jesus was born and died for us on the Cross. He loved every one of us enough to die for us. When he died Jesus cleared us of our sins, if we believe and accept His gift of salvation, because He loved us. Love is one of the main reasons that God sent His only begotten Son to us. Love radiated from this Gift on the very first Christmas night.

Christina Rossetti catches this in her poem, “Love Came Down at Christmas”:

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,

Love for plea and gift and sign 

That first Christmas the first Gift was given—love from God in the form of Jesus. Jesus’s love is divine because He is the Son of God, and He is the Savior of all mankind. Love was already present that first Christmas, but the birth of Jesus makes it more powerful than just an emotion. Love came from the heavens to wash away our sin. Love came down from heaven because of God’s love.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Love resonates during the Christmas season, even as we live through the chaos called life. It brings us together to celebrate life—earthly and eternally. It is through love that we, as Christians, can show good will toward our brothers and sisters. It is with love that we serve our Almighty God and celebrate the birth of Jesus during this season. There are all types of love, but the divine love of God is the best of all. This love is why God chose to send His only Son to die for us and give us eternal life in heaven.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Gift of love that You gave us during the first Christmas. We are grateful that this Gift is available to be accepted by all those that believe. Let us show that love to all and bring goodwill to men. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Gift of Love

December 17, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is LOVE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

Love.

Some things in life can only be shown or displayed in one or two ways.  Love is a verb that has numerous forms…tons of ways of expression. Books have been written about it, songs have been sung, and poems have been penned.  Jewelry stores relay the message that their product is how husbands can show their wives they love them around Christmas time, car companies do the same for wives and toy companies do the same for parents. Love seems to be everywhere.

Some people have the love language of receiving gifts—to some, material things help them to see how much you care for them and, to these people, Christmas is a great day of expressing how we feel. And to be honest, despite our attempts to say ‘I don’t do this’ but I think all of us enjoy receiving gifts; we enjoy being thought about, appreciated and loved.

But, as easy as it is to lose our peace and hope during this time of year due to the storm of holiday excitement, it is just as easy to lose sight of the one of the truest expressions of love—one of the greatest gifts we as a people have ever received.  And that is the birth of Christ.  I try to teach my kids that Christmas is a time of giving and it’s also a time of receiving.  But when they get caught up with a case of the “I wants,” I have to stop them and ask what Christmas is all about. I need to do this for myself as well; I need to remember the love of Christ that carries me not only through this season but through every day.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7

Are there Scriptures  or songs you turn to when you need to be reminded of Christ’s love for you? How do you keep your eyes on the truest expression of love during this time of year?

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Let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gift of Christmas.  Thank You for the gift of Your Son and for the gift of love—Your love and the ability to show love to others. Please help us to see the things this season that will keep us close to You this holiday. Thank You, Father.  In Jesus name we pray, amen.

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Love Expressed

December 16, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is LOVE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

 

The song, “The Christmas Shoes” can speak to us about love in heart-touching ways! Oh, to have the love and faith of a small child is such a wonderful thing. Little ones often teach us how to express love to others.

If you’re aware of this song, you know that a little boy desperately wants to get a beautiful pair of shoes for his mom before she passes away and meets Jesus. It’s a sad song, and maybe some don’t even want to listen to it. But some of the hardest or saddest experiences before us can teach our hearts about what’s really important. This song can teach us what’s important at Christmas time…or any other day of the year….love! So, I pause and reflect on this song…seeing how this small child mirrors the great love of God in several ways.

First, there’s the recognition of the little boy’s great love for his mom. (God loved us.) The little boy knew he wanted to do something to show his love for her and to give her what he thought she needed before it was too late. (God knew we needed a way to be reconciled to Him, so out of love He sent His Son to earth to be our Savior of the world.) The little boy went to the store and gave all he had to buy the shoes for his mom. And when he hit an obstacle and didn’t have enough money, he persevered, and asked for help and got it. Love would not let him stop! (God gave His most loved and wonderful possession–His Son. And when Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, He knew the cost and what would take place in giving His life as a sacrifice; and it was there in the Garden that He cried out to God in prayer. God supplied His need. Jesus would fulfill God’s will for His life. Love would not let Him stop!) When the little boy bought the shoes for his mom, he ran home to give them to her on Christmas Eve. True and absolute love were expressed as he gave from his little heart of love what he thought she needed most—new shoes for her to wear when she would meet Jesus. (Jesus died for us and rose again…His ultimate love was expressed and shown for mankind! And THAT IS what we all need most: JESUS!)

I invite you to listen to this song packed with a powerful message of love for one another. Christmas time has beautiful packages, lit-up Christmas trees, colorful ornaments, fun traditions, events and parties, and so much more. But please, don’t forget about God’s love, our love for God, and our love for each other. Please don’t get so busy, that you forget about Christ this Christmas. Love Him, and love others. And remember that God first loved us.

We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:21

  • Do you know someone who’s hurting this season who needs more love?
  • Do you need to forgive someone who has hurt you?
  • Do you need to cook a meal for a family; or get a group together to go sing Christmas carols at the home of a friend or family who needs some extra love?

God expressed His love by sending His Son. How are you to show love this Christmas season or any day of the year? Listen to this song, and let it touch your heart in the way it needs to.

This little boy brought shoes—what will you bring to someone? How will you express love?

If you have the opportunity, go to youtube.com and listen to “The Christmas Shoes” written by Eddie Carswell and Leonard Ahlstrom ~ sung by NewSong.

Dear Lord,

Let us be mindful of Your great love sent in a precious baby Boy one starry night in Bethlehem. Let us be so changed by the power of Your love that we choose to love others in the ways You bring to our hearts and minds to do so. Let each new day be an opportunity to praise You more and to love others better than we have.

In Jesus’ precious Name I pray, amen.

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Peace Like a River

December 13, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is PEACE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

Peace like a river…joy like a fountain!  That’s what we need as believers.

Where do we get this peace? Is it from our loved ones? Is it from the books we read? Is it from the many music concerts we attend?  NO.  This peace comes from above.

We need to know who our Creator is…what qualities He possesses and who we are in the One Who made us.

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.
John 14:27

The verse above is clearly showing us what real peace will do once we get it.  Jesus said “I leave with you…” At this point Jesus was transferring the peace within Him to us to be with us, meaning this peace is within us.  If you leave something to someone it means total ownership belongs to the one it is given to.  Now it is up to him/her to use it.  Whether responsibly or carelessly or even not make use of it at all.

Jesus also said “My peace I give unto you…”  He has left His peace with us and unto us.  I pray ye therefore, my sisters in Christ, to know what was left inside you.  This peace that was left inside you will strengthen you.  We have obtained this peace in our spirit.  So with Jesus being The Spirit and us having this peace in our spirit…I can conclude that the Holy Spirit is in me and me in Christ and Christ in me!  Hallelujah!

Do not be troubled, my sisters, the Lord is with you…His peace is always with you!

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16

Isaiah 54:10 says “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” And Romans 14:17-19 tells us “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

Therefore finally I can say (as Isaiah did) and “…go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills that you are worried for (troubled with) will burst into song before you and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).  All you need to do is accept Christ as your Lord and Savior—no more turning back. The Holy Spirit will dwell in us. He is our Peace. For the Father is in the Son and the Father is the Spirit; therefore the Son is in the Spirit and the Spirit is in them (John chapter 17).

Lord, I thank You for the peace imputed in us. Help us to realize just exactly what we have inside us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional

No Ordinary Day

December 12, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is PEACE.  Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent.  Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

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They were living their lives like it was an ordinary day when this happened!

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ’Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’

Luke 2:9-14

That day, the shepherds experienced a day that was no ordinary day! The angel had just announced the birth of Christ the Lord and gave them a sign in telling them the way they would find Him. The shepherds were the first to be invited to come and see the Son of God in person! What an invitation! And can’t you visualize the host of angels that appeared and praised God? The angels first spoke of glorifying God and then, “…on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

God grants peace through His Son, Jesus.  How?

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:19-20

God gives peace to those who are reconciled through His Son.  Thank You, Jesus!  And the lowly shepherds received the first invitation to come and behold in the flesh this “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).  (Don’t you love that?  I do!)  For it is not about status, income, background, position, education, race, gender, or fame that matters to Jesus!  It is about the heart.  It is about those who ask for forgiveness of sins—believing that Jesus died for our sins in our place and that we trust in Him as Lord and are reconciled to God through His Son on the Cross.

God can bring peace to the shepherds or kings, who came later (and all those various people types in between) in the same way: through Jesus!

If you have not come already, are you ready to receive the peace Jesus brings? Come to Jesus. He’s no longer in a manger, but He is waiting. And if you’ve already come to Him, simply praise and glorify God this Christmas season and everyday afterwards for Who He is and all He has done, is doing, and will do. Let us celebrate the peace Jesus brings!

Friends, let’s be ready.

For one day, you will be living your life like it’s an ordinary day and then, you will either leave this world and stand before God or else Jesus will return in victory and with great power and you will see Him face to face then. Either way, you will meet Him.

Receive the peace Jesus brings.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the peace that You bring! The day You became Lord and Savior in each of our lives was no ordinary day! Let us remember to praise You each and every day forevermore! You alone are so worthy to be praised!

In Jesus’ precious Name I pray.

Amen.

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Peace of Mind – and – Peace of Heart

December 11, 2013 by

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Each week during the season of Advent, our blogs will focus on a central theme which is associated with the coming of Christ—His Advent.  This week’s theme is PEACE. Christians throughout the world celebrate Advent. Some light candles or sing songs; some give gifts or  hang wreaths.  All of these are simple joyous ways of extending the celebration of Jesus’s coming beyond a mere 24 hours on December 25. Our prayer is that these devotionals throughout this season of Advent would help you to celebrate His first Coming and anticipate with the peace and joy of His second Coming.

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I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid
John 14:27

The greatest gift ever given to us is the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we truly accept this gift, our hearts and minds should be at peace.  The world cannot give us this peace; no matter how hard it tries.

The universal Christmas wish every year is probably peace on earth. Yet what is peace on earth? To many, peace would be no fighting, no hunger, no pain, and no sickness. The world would be giving us everything we need to be at peace. Yet, it can’t. No matter how hard we strive for peace from the world the world cannot give it. Only Jesus can do that.

Jesus’s birth brought the promise of eventual peace on earth.  His birth also brought the promise of peace in the heart. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, spiritual peace of the mind and heart is part of the gift of salvation. We should never have to worry about what the world cannot give us. We are granted peace as part of the gift from Jesus.

I will give you a case in point… From around November 1-January 2, it is chaos in our house. We have school, church, work, and our home lives to deal with. We are constantly on the go during these weeks with family outings and get-togethers. Just when we need a weekend at home or a day of the weekend at home, we can’t get it. We can’t get the peace of our home for one single minute during the weekend. The case this year: December 7-Live Nativity, December 8-Calloway Gardens; December 14-Christmas Parade; December 15-Christmas Lunch and Sports Banquet; December 20 (and on) – family dinners, Christmas, and New Year’s. We can’t get a moment’s peace until at least January 2. Because of the busyness of the world, we cannot get peace of mind because our minds our constantly going with everything that is going on. However, when we think of Jesus, we get a little bit of peace because that is what His birth, death, and resurrection has brought us.

In this season of hope, love, joy, and peace, the main point to remember is the peace that Jesus brought to the world and the peace He will bring again when He returns. Just the thought of eternal life in heaven should bring peace to the mind and heart.

* * * * *

Dear Heavenly Father: Please be with us as we go through this busy time of year. Bring peace to our minds and hearts as we go through the motions of the holiday season.  In Jesus name. Amen.

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