How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” – Isaiah 52:7
Peace.
Did you hear the whisper?
Peace.
Did you see the light?
Peace.
Did you feel the breath??
Peace.
Sit and linger.
God is near.
(c) 2017 Rev. Lil Smith
Spiritual Director and Supervisor
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The Bible has numerous stories of God’s call for the faithful who least expect it. Whether it is Zechariah, or the virgin Mary, the feeling referred to in that instance is fear. They are admonished not to be afraid. How does fear impair God’s action and presence in our lives? The message of the angel rings out – fear cannot abide with obedience to God’s invitation to trust. The first letter of John tells us that there is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear because fear implies punishment. One who fears is not yet perfect in love. It also tells us that we love because God first loved us – in becoming human like us – and whoever remains in love, remains in God and God in him. What fears do we need to cast out this Advent, so that God’s call may lead our lives?
(c) 2017 Cheryl-Ann Monteiro
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The list-making app I have on my phone is cool. I’ve got lists for shopping, for doing stuff, for places to go and people to see. When I check something off it moves down to a sort of bin for items already taken care of, but I can move it back up onto the beckoning active list at any time.
At first I was discouraged because there were always items on some lists not checked off. I imagined I might have downloaded a disguised critic, sneaky like those offers that lure you to just click on the hotlink then secretly they store data about you in cyberspace.
However, in some quiet moments, I realized that critic-voice was in fact my own! Ah, a call to release the imagined detractor and accept the app’s help.
Out of my quiet time, my TO-DO, and my TO-NOT-DO lists made peace with each other.
(c)2017) Nancy Kate Dunkerley
Read More“Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men.” Luke 2:14
While I was in Guatemala on a mission trip recently, I awoke one morning with the song from my 1st piano recital playing in my head, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…. with God as our Father, brothers all are we, Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony…” Though I hadn’t thought of the song in many years it was a gift from God to my heart that day.
These ideas of brotherhood with all men because of Christ and peace accomplished one relationship at a time have begun to be woven into my heart.
When the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth! Good will to men!” they were introducing Jesus. He is the embodiment of these! And as Christ dwells in our hearts through faith we too are the carriers of them.
In this Advent season, may our hearts be opened wide to receive and experience the presence of Christ, so that we along with Jesus can be bringers of glory to God, peace on earth, and good will to men.
(c) 2017, Gabriella Owen
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Peace I leave you; My Peace I give to you. John 14:27
The gift of Peace was given to us by Jesus as He was preparing His followers to face life on earth without His physical body being present. It was a gift given to all of us who are His followers.
Peace in the scriptural sense is an English word translated from the Hebrew word Shalom. Shalom was a common greeting during Jesus’ time.
Christ entered the world as the Prince of Peace. During Advent, as I strive to become the person God intended me to be, Peace is one of the avenues I will follow. I will endeavor to share the gift of Peace with all whom I encounter. Shalom!
As I journey down this Advent road,
grant me the courage to make Peace.
Peace in my heart.
Peace in my home.
Peace in my community.
Donnie Hawley
Read More. . . do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Any the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Everyone in our bustling modern world seems to be looking for peace. Perhaps the idea of “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Phil 4:7) appeals to many because they can’t even imagine a feeling of peace, much less the reality of a true peace. We long for a peace that our fallen world can’t even comprehend.
An unattributed quote made popular on the internet suggests that “peace is seeing a sunset and knowing who to thank.” That quote may have broad appeal because it implicitly addresses human longings which are so fundamental. God is knowable. God gives us good gifts. God is approachable enough that we can thank him for showing us his love.
This is a good time of year to remind ourselves that God made himself known to us… so we know who to thank. In that gratitude, we find peace.
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Micah 5: 2-5a “…and he shall be the one of peace.”
The year 2016 has been one of turmoil with the feeling of peace elusive to many around the world. These words from Micah remind us that with all the uncertainty in the world we are secure in the arms of God and the one sent to us in peace so many years ago. St. Francis prayed “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace…” That peace is available to us by taking time away from the busyness of preparation to open ourselves to quiet moments, stopping to breathe in peace and then breathe out love, hope and joy to those we meet each day. It can be that simple and it can be contagious. May peace fill your days this season and evermore. Amen.
Regina Hunt
Read MoreThroughout the night, I was disturbed by one person’s question spoken angrily earlier that day, “What I want to know is if there is a God, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world!?” I’d certainly heard that question many times at patient’s bedsides. Nothing I read or heard brought me closer to living peacefully with it.
The next morning, in the silence of prayer, I heard these words which brought me the peace I sought:
Read More“My Children,
There is no answer to this question that will satisfy your souls and, as My followers, the closer you become to Me, the more the evils of the world will grieve you and cause you pain because you begin to see things even more through My eyes.
I did not create the world to be filled with the evils you see and experience. It was not My will. However, because of the nature of sin in a fallen world, pain and sickness and evil will exist.
A shift in focus is needed if you are to live in peace with this question. Shift your focus to being a source of light and beauty to the world and know that any evil or sin committed against you, no matter how small or how great, can be brought to Me to be healed. There is no hurt so deep that cannot be healed by Me. There is no slight so little that does not deserve My attention.
Yes, there is sin and suffering and evil in the world. The Good News is that I am greater than the world and I can conquer all of this in each of your lives if you let Me.
I love you all and I want each of you to live in peace, entrusted to My care. Go forth in the light of My love to be lights to the world.”
“Ukraine Jets Strike Rebels,” “Gaza Fired Approximately 690 Rockets and Mortars into Israel,” and “Israeli Air Strikes Pounded More Targets in Gaza” offer three recent headlines. Present day battles abound, and we shudder at the horror as chaos and calamity claim more lives.
But humans have always dealt with tragedy and terror, and every day we face our own. We’re weary, confused and wonder, “What’s happening to me?” “How can I get through this?” “Will I ever be whole again?” Remember, dear Christian, God is not in the ‘abandonment business,’ but in the ‘abiding business.’ He stays with you …
Matthew 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
… forever. Matthew 28:20b, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
He’s with you in every battle … 2 Chronicles 32:7-8a, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed … for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”
… so give all struggles to God. 2 Chronicles 20:15, “and he said, “Listen … thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”
After all, what power do others really possess over you? Psalm 56:4, “In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”
Remember, your battle just may be a spiritual one.
Ephesians 6:10-12, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Trusting All of God’s Battle Plans for My Life, PJ
COPYRIGHT ©2014 PJ Gover
http://4homestore.com/devotionalbook.html (PJ’s devotional book)
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