Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family, friends and fun!
He Brought Peace
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men! – Luke 2:14
Can you imagine a life without true peace? Always having a restless heart, endless striving, and avoid inside because of the deep abyss between humanity and God. For centuries, people longed for peace, not just the absence of conflict but a deep, unshakable harmony that could only come from heaven. Then, on a quiet night in Bethlehem, the cry of a newborn pierced the darkness, and with it came the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Peace is a priceless gift! It is worth everything but cannot be purchased with anything. It is a gift that was given to us when Jesus was born. Many think that peace on earth means people will live together without conflict or disagreement, but what Jesus brought us was peace with God in heaven. He brought the peace of heaven to earth!
Before that time, there was a great distance between God and His people. But when Jesus came, He became the bridge that connected mankind with God. Now, we personally have access to God, and not only that, we can receive Him as our Father! He didn’t want just a people to command and order around, He wanted a family. He became our Father to instruct us and empower us to be successful in the blessed plan that He prepared for each one of us. In all that, He provided a peaceful relationship with Himself, which produces peace in our hearts and lives.
So, what is peace? Some would say peace is calmness, rest, order, or harmony with others. While these are true, the God-kind of peace is much deeper. Let’s take a look at what God says in His Word about peace.
Peace is the guard of your heart. It lets us know when our heart is right with God. It also lets us know when things are out of order when it is absent. Philippians 4:7 says, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. If peace is missing from your life, it is a sign that you need more of your heavenly Father’s presence in your heart.
Peace is a ruler. It measures whether we are thankful for all God has brought us through and called us to. Colossians 3:15 says, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Peace is a fruit, or the result of God’s Spirit living inside of us. Galatians 5:22 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Peace demonstrates whether we are walking in God’s Spirit or in our flesh. Romans 8:6 says, For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Lastly, walking in the peace of God will allow us to complete the second part of today’s verse. When we decide to walk in the peace of God, we are then able to exercise goodwill toward others. This time of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to bless others with a kind act or word. It is also an opportunity to share God’s great salvation with those around us and to be reminded of His great love for us!
Today, I want to encourage you to allow God’s peace to fill your life. Don’t be stressed about the perfect gifts, family gatherings and time in the kitchen on this Christmas Day. Instead, let the peace of God fill you up. Spend time with Him, and tell Him how thankful you are and how much you love Him. Make this Christmas about your relationship with Him. Don’t forget that He is the reason why we are celebrating this great day. Remember that this is the day He became a person to live with us, save us, and fill our lives with peace… the God-kind of peace!
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 2:13-20
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
The Daily Dose 