peace and Christmas

We celebrate Christmas.  It is the time when people are open to hear the story and to listen to needs and their need (that is why we ought to invite people to go to church with us).  Jesus was the gift of God sent for our good and the good news of the world.

John 14:27  NLT

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.

That was almost at the end of Jesus’s life, but it was as true at the end as it was at the beginning of his life.  That is what so many of us need on a daily basis.  We do have trouble and struggles.  We do deal with difficult people and situations.  But we have HIS peace.  We can and must have peace through all life’s situations.

James 3:18  NLT

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

I want to be known as a peacemaker.  Whoops.  Backup.  I am not talking about sweeping things under the rug for the sake of peace.  I am talking about doing things and holding on so that peace is a long-term reality, not a short breath.

In the midst of war peace is talked about.  It seems to be the absence of battle or fighting.  That is not the essence of God’s peace.  The reason is because you can have real peace when the battles of life are big around you.  Real peace comes from really knowing the Savior.  Real peace is taking what God says, holding on to who His son is and giving it away to others around.

The outcome of having His peace is that we will have divine and live a blessed life.

Psalm 29:11  NLT

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.

Peace will keep us prepared for greater days and for trusting God.  And trusting God brings even more peace in to our lives.  Chose your thoughts focused on Him.  That brings peace we cannot get on our own.

Isaiah 26:3  NLT

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

If we deal with our sin, peace will be a natural outcome.  If we don't deal with our sin, peace won’t be anywhere around us.

Romans 8:6  NLT

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

His peace brings the ability to do more.  Do you struggle with temptation, not having wisdom or falling in situations that hold us back?

Psalm 119:165  NLT

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

It is time to experience the reality of peace.  This will not come with our own knowledge or creation.  It only comes by trusting God.  The process that real peace brings in to our lives will change us for a long time.

Philippians 4:7  NLT

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

With peace there is… ongoing goodness, life giving to those we come in contact with and living with purpose each day.

Colossians 3:15  NLT

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

NOTE: this devotion was first shared in December of 2014

People I am praying for:

Pray for Gerald Byrd as he recovers from a medical procedure.  Pray for Michele Dyer as she is sick.  Pray for a couple friends dealing with addiction or homelessness.  Pray for Alma Joyce, Kasim Adams’ grandma, recoervingfrom a broken wrist.  Pray for Josh Byrd, Rebecca’s husband, as he is to complete Airborne school this week. 

Would you consider making a Christmas or end of year gift to The Community Fellowship?  All gifts are tax deductible.  Mail your gift to PO Box 388, Collinsville, VA 24078 and mark it one of these: general fund, Dream Center (homeless and feeding ministry), Vision fund (completion of new campus). Or you can give online at https://tcf.ccbchurch.com/w_give_online.php